Page 70 of Wind Rider

“You’re doing well, Danita,” Mari encouraged as together they touched the bowed heads of their Pack brothers and sisters.

“It’s still really cold, but I’m learning to let it slide through me, like water off a gull’s back,” Danita said.

“That’s right. Keep that image in your mind,” Mari said. “It’ll help. Just remember, save only enough to heal yourself. The rest we share with others.”

They came to Antreas, and he met Mari’s eyes with a lopsided smile. “I’m not sick, and I don’t get Moon Fever, so there’s no reason to waste our moon magick on me.”

“It wouldn’t be a waste,” Mari said. “But it is your choice.”

Beside Antreas, Bast chirped and batted him gently with one of her giant paws, which made Danita giggle, though she covered it with a cough.

Antreas cleared his throat. “Well, it appears that Bast would like me to be Washed.” He met Mari’s eyes, and she saw sweet shyness hiding there. “Mari, I respect and admire you, and absolutely do not want to offend you, but would it be okay if Danita Washed me?”

“Of course, and you do not offend me at all.”

Antreas sank to his knees.

Mari nodded at Danita, who moved into position in front of Antreas. As she placed her hand gently on his bowed head, Mari concentrated on channeling the silver cascade of moonlight through herself and then from her hand into Danita. She saw the Lynx man’s body jolt in surprise as the cold power filled him.

“I Wash you free of any sadness your life has brought you, and gift you with the love of our Great Earth Mother.” Danita spoke the invocation with warmth and confidence.

Antreas raised his head. His eyes were shining with unshed tears. “That was incredible! Thank you, my precious Moon Woman,” he said to Danita.

Mari thought Danita’s answering smile was so bright it could’ve started another forest fire.

The last person Mari washed was Nik, who was waiting on his knees patiently, with Rigel on one side and Laru on the other. Both canines behaved with somber decorum—even Rigel remained seated, though his whole backside wiggled along with his tail.

Mari placed both hands on Nik’s bowed head. “I Wash you free of allpain and injury, and gift you with the love of our Great Earth Mother,” she said softly.

Nik lifted his head. “Thank you, my precious Moon Woman.”

The look in Nik’s eyes filled Mari with warmth that not even the silver power of the moon could cool.

Then, from across the circle Sora shouted, “All have been Washed! All have been blessed! And now we eat!”

The Pack cheered and everyone began to jostle to form a line for the fish stew that was bubbling aromatically over the fire. And as the Pack filled their bowls and found places to sit in little clusters, Mari noticed that several women, and Mason, chose to be near Rose and Fala, and the four pups, who had yet to Choose their Companions.

“Someday we won’t remember a time when it was Earth Walkers and Tribe of the Trees,” Nik murmured in Mari’s ear. “Someday we will all simply be Pack, with no more Moon Fever. Canines will play among our children, and we will thrive as a people. I believe that with everything inside me.”

Mari turned and stepped into his arms. “I believe it, too.” She kissed Nik as she realized that she had never in her life been as hopeful as she was at that moment.

***

The rest of the night was peaceful and filled with a sense of contentment that Mari thought was almost palpable. With Mari and Sora by his side, Nik checked on the starters—appropriately called “pups”—from the Mother Plant that he had brought to the Pack at great risk to his life.

“They thrive!” Nik exclaimed, gently touching one of the green fronds of the magickal fern.

“Of course they thrive. Earth Walkers are caring for them, and as long as we do they will always thrive,” said Adira, an older woman who at first hadn’t seemed excited about leaving the burrows of Clan Weaver. But as the trip progressed she had taken charge of the plants that they’d brought with them—cuttings, seedlings, bulbs, and even dried fruits and vegetables. Along with being in charge of the plants came caring for the Mother Plant pups, which were, indeed, thriving.

Nik bowed his head slightly, but respectfully, to the older woman. “I am in awe of your ability to grow plants. It’s impressive. And I appreciate it very much.”

Adira’s stiff expression relaxed slightly. “You are welcome.”

“The future children of the Pack will appreciate your care with the Mother Plant, too,” Mari added pointedly, “as the fronds from the mature plants will swaddle our infants and, perhaps, aid in ending Moon Fever forever.”

“Thatandbeing bonded to a remarkable canine.” Sora smiled affectionately down at Chloe’s little black-furred head poking out of the sling she carried her pup in.

“I admit that seeing you and Jaxom free of Moon Fever has brought many of us hope we’ve never dared to feel before,” Adira said. She sent Nik a sideways look that Mari couldn’t quite read. “After almost a decade of being enslaved by them, I suppose I am in the odd position of needing to thank someone from the Tribe of the Trees.”