Page 73 of Sun Warrior

“Clanswomen always do the choosing. Clansmen court us. Well,them.No Clansmen ever tried to court me.” Mari narrowed her eyes at him, as it was clear that he was trying to hide his amusement. “Are you laughing at me?”

“No! Notatyou. I was just thinking about how you looked the first time I saw you under that willow tree. Your disguise wasmessy.”

“But it worked. No one knew that under all of that dirt and dye I was part Companion. You’re right, though. It was really messy. And smelly, too.” She shuddered delicately. “I’m glad that part of my life is over.”

“Me, too. You said Clansmen do the courting. What does that mean?”

“Well, often a Clansman will make gifts for the woman he hopes will choose him—weareClan Weaver. Even the men have weaving skills. A Clansman could also forage something special for his girl.” Mari pointed to the precious round piece of mirror that was on herdesk near her sketching supplies. “That mirror was a gift from my grandma’s favorite suitor.”

“Favorite?”

“Yeah. Not only do Clanswomen choose when and who they’ll mate with, they also choose when or if the relationship will end. Moon Women tend to have several lovers, but no permanent mate.” She moved her shoulders again. “I think it’s because we have to focus on the Clan, and then the raising of our daughters to be Moon Woman after us. That doesn’t leave much time for a mated relationship.”

“But I thought your mother was committed to your father.”

“Oh, she was! Mama only loved one man—my father. But Mama was an exception to the rule,” Mari said.

“I’m hoping her daughter is also an exception to the rule.”

This time Mari felt her body flush with her face. “How is it with your people?”

“In the Tribe, the choosing of a mate is mutual, as is the ending of the relationship—though we do tend to mate for life.”

“Oh, it’s usually mutual with the Clan, too. But according to Law, Clanswomen make the final decision.”

“What if the man wants the mating to end—or not to end? What can he do?” Nik asked.

“Nothing. Part of his pledge to his mate is swearing an oath that he will not leave unless she sends him away, then he must do as she says and agree to end their relationship.…” Mari paused, considering. “You know, I’ve never really thought about it until now—it’s just how the Clan has always worked—but that’s odd, isn’t it? That a man must give himself to a womanandgive up his right to have a way out of the relationship. Huh. Really odd.”

“Really love,” Nik said.

“You think so?” His response surprised her.

“I think the only reason a man, or a woman, would make that kind of deal is love.”

“And I think Mama would have called you a romantic.” For some reason that thought made Mari feel light and happy.

“I wish I could have met your mama. I would have liked her.”

“She would have loved you. And you did meet her. Yours was the last face she saw before she died.” Mari blinked hard, trying not to cry. “She thought you were my father. She died believing that she was with the man she loved again. Th-thank you.” She swiped at her cheeks.

“I hope I helped at the end.”

“I know you did.” She wiped the rest of her tears away, determined not to allow the conversation to devolve into sadness and missed opportunities. “So, I was raised by a woman who lost the love of her life when she was young and she never seemed even vaguely interested in finding another lover or mate. And, of course, I couldn’t let any male get close enough to me to discover I’m part Companion. Mama and I were quite a pair. Good thing the procreation of the Clan wasn’t our responsibility.”

“Didn’t you ever wish things were different?”

“Well, yes. I used to wish Jaxom would look at me like he looked at Sora, but that was just because I wanted to know what it would be like to be desired.”

Nik’s gaze met hers and held. “I desire you, Mari. Very much.”

Mari’s cheeks felt blazing hot, but she didn’t let herself look away from him. “Are you a virgin, too?”

“No, I’m not.”

Her gaze fell to her lap. “Oh.” She hadn’t even thought to ask him if there was a girl back at the Tribe who had spoken for him. She’d just assumed—

“Hey, don’t stop talking to me. We’re in this together now, or at least I hope we are. I’m sorry, Mari, I don’t know much about your Clan’s attitude about sex.”