First, Goklaya kissed her. His lips tasted of mezcal and tobacco. His large hands removed her black dress as if it were paper. Nisoni took care of the corset and petticoats. In a few minutes, she was naked, trembling, not from cold, but from desire. She had never been with two men at once. She had never imagined it could be like this.
Goklaya grasped her by the waist and pulled her towards him tenderly yet forcefully. The union was slow, powerful. Refugio let out a deep moan of pure joy. Nisoni positioned himself behind her, kissing her back, caressing her, until she, in a surge of passion, whispered, « Both of you too. I want to feel both of your presences completely. I’ve never done it this way before. »
The first moment was intense, but then came an immense pleasure that completely filled her. That night, the soul sanctuary filled with whispers in Spanish and Apache, passionate caresses, sweat, and life reclaiming a body that was thought to be dead. The three slept together, entwined like roots. At dawn, Refugio was the first to wake up.
She watched them sleep. They were beautiful in their raw strength. She thought of her husband and felt no guilt. She realized that life goes on and sometimes arrives in the most unexpected ways. For the next few months, the two Apaches stayed. They renovated the ranch, killed bandits who came to steal. They taught Refugio how to shoot the Winchester, and every night they made love as if the world were going to end the next day.
One day, rumors began to circulate. The Mexican army and renegade Apache scouts were coming for Goklaya and Nisoni. They wanted them dead or in chains. Refugio didn’t hesitate. « Go, » she told them, tears in her eyes. « But first, one last time. » They surrendered to each other in the corral under the midday sun, not caring who might see.
It was fierce, it was tender, it was a goodbye, and it was a promise. As the warriors mounted their horses, Refugio embraced each of them. « Come back when you can, » she said. « This house will always be yours, and I will be yours too. » Goklaya placed a necklace of bear claws in her hand. « When you see us again, woman, » he said, « it will be to stay forever or to die together. »
They set off towards the mountains. The dust enveloped them. Refugio remained at the threshold of the cabin, touching her belly, which was already beginning to swell. Nine months later, a strong boy with dark eyes and copper skin was born. She named him Santiago Nisson Domínguez. And on nights of the full moon, Refugio would go out into the corral, gaze towards the mountains, and whisper: « Come back soon, my giants, for I await you here with open arms and an open heart. »
And in the mountains, two Apache warriors gazed south and said, « Smile, soon, brother, we will return to our wives. » For in the desert, love sometimes arrives dressed in war clothes and stays forever. Yes.
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