Page 102 of Sun Warrior

“Good morning,” Mari said, trying again to smooth back her hair as she wiped the Shepherd kisses from her cheeks.

“Good morning! I’m glad you’re finally awake.” Nik came to the bed, offering the mug of tea to Mari. “It was getting tough to keep Rigel from sitting by your pallet and whining like an anxious pup.”

“Thank you for the tea and for not letting Rigel wake me.” Mari took the tea and loved the way Nik bent and kissed her softly before he sat beside her.

“You taste like Shepherd slobber,” he said.

“Is that a good or bad thing?”

“It’s my favorite. How are you feeling?”

“Really, really hungry. Ravenous, actually. Is that normal? How long have I been asleep? Oh, Goddess! Don’t tell me it’s been days! Sora is going to kill me. Literally. Or do you have her bound and gagged in the other room? Not that that’s a particularly bad idea sometimes.” She finally paused to take a breath and sip the tea, peering up at him over the rim of the ornately carved wooden cup.

“Okay, I’ll answer in order. Yes, it’s normal to be starving after calling down sunfire. It’s normal to feel the effects for a few days yet. Just eat and drink more than you normally would—and sleep—and you’ll be fine. You only slept one night, but it is past midday. I don’t have Sora bound or gagged in the next room, but now that I know you’re notopposed to the idea I’ll consider it next time she drives either of us too crazy.”

“Past midday!” She swung her legs around, meaning to get out of bed quickly, but then she noticed how very bare they were and how almost naked—except for a thin sleep shirt—she was, and she paused, feeling her cheeks warm.

Nik gave her a long, intimate look. “Don’t be embarrassed about showing me your bare legs. They’re very beautiful. And did you know you like to sleep with them tangled up with mine?”

“No, I was asleep, so I couldn’t know it. Are you making that up?”

“Absolutely not. Ask Rigel.”

Mari glanced at her Companion, who gave her an openmouthed canine grin, tongue lolling. “I don’t have to. I see the answer in his face. Um, I’m sorry?”

“Sorry about wrapping me in your beautiful leg blanket? Don’t ever be sorry about that.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek, somehow making an innocent gesture feel intimate, even exciting, as his lingering lips promised more to come. Then he stood. “But I will let you get dressed in peace. You aredressing,right? And not consideringundressing and letting me shoo the Shepherds into the other room?” His moss-colored eyes glinted mischievously.

“I’d like to consider it, but if I’m gone too much longer Sora is going to march through the door with a mixed group of Earth Walkers and Companions in her wake, and that would be…” She trailed off trying to find the right word.

“A definite turnoff?” Nik offered.

“Yep. Adefiniteturnoff. Um, and is that stew I smell?”

Nik chuckled. “It is, and far be it from me to stand in the way of a Sun Priestess and her breakfast.”

Mari’s brow furrowed. “I’m not a Sun Priestess. I don’t even know what that is.”

“Then how do you know you’re not one?”

“Because I don’t even know what it is?”

“You’re answering my question with a question. You definitely needfood. I’ll ladle up a big bowl of stew for you. Do you want bread and honey, too?”

“I want a whole loaf, please. And an entire comb of honey. I mean it. I’m going to eat a lot.”

Nik stopped at the curtain and then turned to look back at her. “I’m not surprised, and I already have the loaf sliced. Oh, and a Sun Priestess is a revered member of the Tribe who has been chosen by a Shepherd as Companion and has the ability to call down sunfire—which tends to make said priestess ravenous. The Tribe hasn’t had one for generations, though the appearance of one is considered magickal and auspicious for the future. Laru, Rigel, with me! Let Mari get dressed in peace.” The canines bounded after him, leaving Mari alone with her thoughts.

Sun Priestess? Is that what calling down the sun makes me? Wonder how that works with being a Moon Woman?She mentally shrugged.Since I’m not going to be part of the Tribe of the Trees, I don’t think I’m going to have to worry about serving two roles at once.Mari washed her face in the wooden trough that Nik had somehow refilled while she’d been asleep.How had he found his way out of the bramble thicket?As soon as her mind formed the question she realized the answer—Rigel. He had to have led Nik.I probably should feel worried or at the very least a little strange about Rigel helping Nik, but I don’t. It makes me feel safe, loved even.

Mari used a willow twig to clean her teeth, and then she dressed and combed her hair. She liked hearing the sounds of Nik and Laru and Rigel in the other room. It made her feel safe, too. And loved.

She wondered at the changes in her world. In just a few weeks she had gone from being committed to living a solitary life with Rigel as her only companion to having a burrow filled with people and canines—and even a Lynx.

Mari’s hand paused mid-brush of her hair as she realized,I like it. I like having people and their animals around. I like being part of something more than myself.

But it wasn’t the Clan way. Moon Women led their Clans but were supposed to live solitary lives committed to serving, but serving alone—except for an occasional lover and the gray-eyed, female offspring those lovers produced. The thought of going back to that lonely life made her feel hollow.

Nik is right. It is time for all of us to make a change.