Page 87 of Sun Warrior

Sora took her time answering him. She almost told him she couldn’tspeak for other Earth Walkers, but that would have been a lie. Moon Women always spoke for their Clans, and she knew she could shift the attitude of her people to accept—or reject—this strangely likable cat man. So she answered him honestly, even though it might not have been the answer he wanted most to hear.

“How Earth Walkers react to you depends entirely on the kind of man you are. If you’re honest, good, and true, I think they will accept you.”

“And if I’m an ass who ignores Clan traditions and tries to bully my way into a mate?”

Sora snorted. “Good luck with that. You’re going to find Clanswomen can’t be bullied. This is a matriarchy, Antreas. If you can accept and honor that, you might just find your perfect mateisan Earth Walker.” She hesitated and then decided she might as well tell him the rest. “There’s something you should understand about us, though. We aren’t solitary. I’m not sure any Clanswoman would be happy being isolated in a den.”

Antreas blew out a long breath. “That’s what I thought. Stormshaker, that Lynx is always right!”

“Okay, now I’mreallyconfused. How could Bast be right if she brought you here to find a mate from a group of women who don’t like being isolated?”

He met her eyes and she could see the humor that rested there in his honest gaze. “Because the truth is that I hate being isolated. I always have. I’ve always been different from the rest of the Chain.”

“Does that mean you don’t plan to return to the Lynx way of life?”

“I didn’t realize it until now, but I think that’s exactly what I mean and exactly why Bast led me here,” he said.

“To start a new life, and a new kind of Chain?”

“Yes.”

Sora grinned. “Well, then I’d better explain to you about courting a Clanswoman. And, believe me, you’ve come to the right Earth Walker. I’m not a possible mate for you, but I’m definitely the perfect teacher for you.”

“Why do I suddenly feel afraid?”

“Because you’re a wise cat man. Now, pay attention.…”

CHAPTER 21

“Dove, my precious one, you must awaken.”

She woke immediately, feeling more than hearing that it was Dead Eye who woke beside her and not the God. She had been sleeping with her back to him, curled in a tight fetal ball, but upon his call Dove turned eagerly, opening her arms.

“Beloved! It is you!” Joyously she clung to him, trembling with relief.

He smoothed her hair and held her close, cradling her in the crook of his arm as she rested her head on his massive chest.

“We don’t have long, precious one. The God sleeps, but He will return soon.”

Dove couldn’t repress her shudder. “My Champion, my love, can you fight Him? Can you remain yourself?”

Instantly she felt the change in Dead Eye. His body stiffened and his hand, which had been caressing her hair, fell to his side.

“Dove, I do not wish to remain myself. I have accepted the God. It won’t be long before He and I will be fully joined.”

A small gasp escaped her and she pressed herself more closely against him. “No! I cannot bear to lose you.”

“You will never lose me!” His arms went around her. “Precious one, the God and I are one. Though I will eventually only speak with theGod’s voice, I will still be here, within this body that grows ever stronger, ever more able to lead our People.”

“But He hurt me,” she said. Dove could not cry—she had no eyes and therefore was not capable of tears—but her body shook with the force of her despair.

“Precious one, you must soften yourself to Him. Remember that He and I are one now.”

“He told me His name is Death,” Dove said.

She felt Dead Eye nod. “Yes, He is the Death God awakened. It seems you and I were wrong. Our God wasn’t dead; He was sleeping.”

“Beloved, I don’t understand what is happening,” Dove said.