Page 71 of Wind Rider

“No you’re not.” Mari spoke before Nik could. “There are no Tribal members here. We are all a Pack.”

“A Pack,” Nik said. “There’s something about the sound of it that I’ve liked from the beginning. Yes, Adira, as Mari said, I am a proud member of this Pack.”

“I stand corrected, Moon Woman,” Adira said. “And I meant no offense.”

Nik gently rested his hand on the older woman’s shoulder. “I understand. What my people did to you and your people was wrong. Very wrong. And it will take time to forget it.”

Adira met Nik’s gaze. “Our enslavement won’t ever be forgotten. Nor should it be. But it can be learned from and, eventually, forgiven.”

Nik answered solemnly. “Then I will look forward to earning your forgiveness.”

The sounds of drums and flutes drifted down the beach to where the three of them were standing, making Mari and Sora smile as they recognized the familiar melody. Mari’s foot had just begun to tap in rhythm with the music when O’Bryan rushed up.

“Oh, good! There you are, Sora. The shadow dancing has been replaced by something they’re calling the Weaver’s Tune, and everyone’s dancing. Well, all of the Earth Walkers are dancing—in a line—all the same. I tried to follow their steps, but it’s too complicated. Claudia and Sheena sent me to find you because all the Earth Walkers are saying you’re the best dancer of the Pack.”

Sora flicked back her thick, dark hair. “All the Earth Walkers are correct.”

Mari snorted.

“What? You know I’m an excellent dancer,” Sora said.

“Well, if she didn’t know it I’m sure you’d tell her,” Nik mumbled.

Sora skewered him with her sharp gray gaze. “You realize that I know herbs to sprinkle in your stew that will make your bowels turn to liquid, don’t you?”

Nik ducked behind Mari, saying teasingly, “Save me, Moon Woman!”

O’Bryan turned his back to Nik. “Ignore him. Will you teach us the steps?”

“Of course I’ll ignore him. And, yes, I’ll teach you.”

O’Bryan shouted victoriously and grabbed Sora’s hand, pulling her back to the campfire and the cluster of waiting Companions.

“A Moon Woman should be treated with more respect,” Adira said.

“He isn’t disrespecting her,” Mari explained gently. “He just isn’t treating her as if she is a far-off Goddess who must be revered.” Mari purposefully took Nik’s hand in hers, weaving her fingers intimately with his. “You know what happens when you’re revered?”

“Yes, of course. You are treated with the utmost respect,” said the older woman.

“Not really. See, I understand this subject intimately, as I grew up with my mother’s loneliness as our constant companion. When someone is revered she is also isolated, treated as untouchable—unapproachable. Did you know I was Mama’s only friend?”

Adira’s brow rose in surprise. “That could not be true! We all loved your mother very much.”

“Yes, I know you did. She knew you did. But you also revered her so much that none of you were close to her. Our burrow was isolated—and we were isolated. I grew up believing my only choice was to be alone, and not because I was half Companion, half Earth Walker. I believed it because all of our Moon Women and their daughters are kept separate from the Clan. But no more.” Mari gazed up at Nik as she squeezed his hand. “I prefer less reverence and more happiness.”

“As do I, Moon Woman.” Nik lifted her hand and kissed it.

Adira was staring at them. “I must consider what you have said. I never imagined that Leda, or any other Moon Woman, could feel isolated or lonely. And the thinking of it now saddens me.”

“Don’t be sad, Adira,” Nik said. “Those times are over. None of our Pack should ever be alone again.”

“You mean Moon Women will live among us when we finally make our new burrows?” Adira said.

“Oh, Sora and I—along with Danita and Isabel—will definitely live among our Pack, but whether we’ll be in burrows will be decided when we get there,” Mari said.

“A mixture would be nice,” Nik said.

“It’s definitely something to think about,” Mari said. She turned to Adira. “Thank you for the care you’re taking of all the plants. We value your skills.” Then she and Nik began to head back to the campfire.