Page 61 of Sun Warrior

“Oh, weave with me, Clan, a dance in the night, always Moon Woman’s delight.

Show me your joy, Washed free of all spite, mystical magick Third Night!”

The dance went on and on, until sweat trickled between Mari’s breasts and she was feeling light-headed. Smoothly changing direction, she wove her way back to the edge of the circle where Nik waited, sitting beside a log with Laru, smiling and clapping his hands in time with the beating drums. Short of breath, she and Rigel collapsed beside him.

“For you, Moon Woman.” Isabel was there, bowing before Mari and offering her a mug filled with fragrant spring mead and, to Mari’s surprise, holding out a wooden bowl filled with freshwater for Rigel.

Mari smiled her thanks and she and Rigel drank deeply while Isabel skipped back to the circle to continue the dance.

“Am I getting old?” Mari asked—only semi-rhetorically—as she wiped sweat from her face and ran her fingers through her short, curly hair, trying to get it under some semblance of control.

Nik laughed. “Old? I’ve never heard of anyone calling down sunfire and then dancing away the night. I don’t know how you managed to stay out there so long when by all Tribal accounts you should be sound asleep.” He put his arm around her and Mari leaned gratefully against him. “You’re incredible. You looked like a moon goddess again,” he whispered into her ear.

“Again?”

“When you healed O’Bryan I thought you looked like a moon goddess come to earth.”

Mari was pretty sure had her cheeks not already been hot, theywould have flushed bright pink. “I’m just me, Nik. No Goddess. I’m barely a Moon Woman.”

“Hell, Mari, I’m barely a Sun Priest who has barely a Pack. I think we make a great team.”

Mari looked around the circle at the dancing Earth Walkers and the Tribesmen and women, plus Antreas, who watched them as they clapped in time with the music and sipped cool spring mead. “Just a few weeks ago I could never have imagined doing what I did tonight, as my true self with Rigel by my side.” She stroked the panting pup’s head and kissed his nose. “But look at us all now. I know this is just a brief moment in time, but we have somehow managed to get Companions and Earth Walkers to come together without capturing or killing each other.”

“Because together we’re not barely anything.” Nik touched her face, turning her toward him. “Together we’re perfect. I’m starting to believe there’s nothingwecan’t accomplish.”

Mari leaned into Nik, loving the warm, solid feel of his body. His lips found hers, and the kiss deepened. The rhythmic beating of the drums and the voices lifted in happy song pulsed through Mari, finding a harmonious echo in her blood. Heat that had nothing to do with dancing began to build deep within Mari, making her feel weak and strong, liquid and fire, all at the same time. Her arms wrapped around Nik’s broad shoulders, and a shiver of desire skittered through her as he moaned her name against her lips and began to pull Mari down to the soft ground with him.

“Mari, oh, good! Here you are.” Sora hurried up to them, pink faced and breathing heavily. She coughed a few times, a deep, wet sound that had Mari eyeing her sharply. “I need you to come with me.” She arched a dark brow at Nik. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. This time.”

“What is it?” Mari asked, tugging at her tunic and disentangling herself, reluctantly, from Nik’s arms.

Sora coughed again and scratched absently at her elbow crease, then lowered her voice. “It’s better if I show you. I don’t really want to talk about it out here.”

Mari shrugged. “Okay, but I hope we’re not going far. I’m pretty sure I’m at the end of my strength for one day.”

“Not far. Just back to the birthing burrow.”

“Good. You need to brew yourself some tea—red clover and honey will help that cough,” Mari said.

“I will. Later. I’m fine,” she said sharply, making a dismissive gesture.

Nik stood, holding out a hand to help Mari to her feet. When Sora shot him aWhere do you think you’re going?look, he said, “I’m coming, too. Unless Mari doesn’t want me to.”

“Oh, I want you to,” Mari assured him.

“Fine,” Sora said. “Come on then.”

They began to make their way back to the burrow, Rigel and Laru beside their Companions. Sora frowned at Laru. “That creature does look like a giant version of Rigel.” Then she glanced at Nik. “I’m truly sorry about your father,” Sora said.

“Thank you,” Nik said.

“Mari, is your creature going to get as big as the Laru creature?”

“Father said he thought Rigel will be even bigger,” Nik answered first.

“I hope so!” Mari said brightly, reaching across Nik to ruffle Laru’s ears. “I’ve decided I like big canines.”

“In that case, I think we’re going to need a bigger burrow,” Sora said sardonically, which made Nik and Mari laugh.