Page 111 of Sun Warrior

“Thank you,” Sora said.

“I wasn’t talking about you,” Nik said.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Sora said. Then all kidding left her voice. “Nik, do you think any other Tribesmen or women will want to join us?”

“I don’t know. I think that will depend on what’s happened with the Council and how they’ve dealt with Thaddeus,” Nik said. “Are you against more of the Tribe joining us?”

Sora moved her shoulders restlessly. “Yes and no. In theory, I don’t mind. Like Mari, my heart says anyone who wishes to start over—to make the kind of change we’ve decided to make—should be welcomed. But I’m worried about what Antreas said.”

“Which part?” Mari asked.

“The part about the long, dangerous journey. Maybe before we allowanyone else to join us we need to talk with him about whether numbers are good or bad on a trip like the one we’re getting ready to take.”

“I hear you,” Mari said slowly. “But I think we have to do what’s right, whether it makes the journey more difficult or not.”

“So, getting our Pack to safety in a new land isn’t what’s right?” Isabel asked.

“It is, but there’s more to it than that,” Mari said. “If we start picking and choosing who is worth joining us, how does that make us any different from the Tribe or the Clan?”

Isabel blew out a long breath. “I understand. I don’t like it, but I do understand.” Then she put the wooden bowl down and approached Mari and Sora, bowing formally to them. “Moon Women, Danita, Jenna, and I would like to request an audience with you.”

Mari blinked in surprise. “Isabel, you and Danita and Jenna can talk with us anytime. There’s no need to be so formal anymore.”

“Hey, don’t be so fast to throw out all of the old ways. Whatever they want to talk to us about is obviously important, and we should treat it with the same respect they’re treating us with in requesting an audience in the traditional way,” Sora said.

Mari gave a small, conciliatory nod. “Okay, I get your point. Isabel, Sora and I grant you and Danita and Jenna an audience. When do you want to talk?”

“Now would be good, but we want to talk in private,” Danita said, coming out of the storage area in the rear of the burrow with Bast and Jenna close on her heels.

Jenna gave Nik an apologetic smile. “No disrespect intended, Nik, but it’s Moon Woman business.”

“None taken,” Nik said. “As soon as Sora reapplies the bandage to my back, I’m going to take my Moon Woman’s advice and plant my butt beside the stream and watch O’Bryan do some more fishing. I may even help him, but not too strenuously.”

“How about I find you there when we’re done here?” Mari asked.

“You, my beautiful Moon Woman, may find meanywhere.”

“Okay, okay, enough, you two. There, your bandage is reapplied. Put your shirt on and get out of here,” Sora said.

“I love your bedside manner, and byloveI mean ‘dislike pretty intensely,’” Nik said.

“Just kiss her and go.” Sora gave him a push toward Mari.

Nik kissed Mari softly. “Hey, anything else you’d like me to carve for you?”

“Yes! How about an equine, so we can all see what they look like?” Mari asked, eyes sparkling with girlish eagerness.

“An equine carving for my Moon Woman it is. Ladies, I will see you by the stream.” He bowed rakishly and winked at Sora, who rolled her eyes at his back.

“He’s very cocky,” Sora said.

“He’s courting her,” Isabel said.

“Huh?” Sora’s head whipped around. “Is he? I mean, formally?”

“Yes, he is,” Mari said.

“Great Goddess! I knew it. I told you way back when you wouldn’t let me kill him that he had a thing for you. Are you going to accept him as your mate?”