Page 97 of Hummingbird and Kraken

Like the tree he felt… rooted, maybe. He was here, and around him were all of his branches and leaves, people who were connected to him even as they danced and moved to their own rhythms.

He had forgotten that, somehow. That people were not just more short lives, indistinguishable from trees and ants. Connecting with Tier and the brave, small opossum had reminded him that they were important. Tribe. Family.

Even when he wasn’t aware of it, he could feel them at the back of his consciousness, like little points of light.

Declan, of course, was in the middle of things. He’d spent the early part of the evening with May on one hip, chattering with Nina and making friends with everyone in the tribe, it seemed.

Now he was dancing in a circle of the younger shifters, his body fluid and graceful. His eyes and lips sparkled in translucent silver, the bewitching color glinting in the light of the fire. He wore a filmy, sheer shirt and a leather pouch around his neck.

He’d begged Geir several times to come dance with him, but Geir declined. He loved watching Declan enjoy himself, but that was enough.

Geir felt a presence at his side and turned.

The Chief gave him a nod. “Thank you again for your help. And your protection for all of these years.”

Geir shrugged. He hadn’t done much. Especially not recently. “You’re welcome.”

“Will we be seeing more of you, do you think?”

Geir watched Declan who was leading the rest in some sort of dance pattern. “I think you will. Declan would like to come over and visit often, if that’s allowed.”

Tier nodded. “Three generations ago, Kahshennenhawe said that you were family, and that hasn’t changed. If Declan is your mate, that makes him family, too.”

“My type doesn’t have mates like yours.” But if he had a mate, Declan would be it.

“Hmmm…” The Chief watched the dancers as well. “Maybe my type doesn’t know too much about mates, either.”

Declan glanced up just then and caught Geir’s eye and moved his body in an elaborate ripple that seemed designed to show off the pale skin of his belly and his elegant neck. Geir smiled back, captivated. Even when Declan was dancing with the others, he let Geir know he was thinking of him.

Declan danced his way over to one of the shifters, swaying close to whisper something in his ear. Even in the flickering glow of the firelight it was easy to see that it was Rohahen, just by his size. The two of them laughed.

Then Declan melted into Rohahen’s arms, swaying seductively against him.

Geir took an automatic step forward, but Tier was in front of him, growling deep in his chest. He grabbed the Chief’s arm, ready to protect Declan. Then he figured it out. “He’s doing it on purpose.”

“What?” The Chief shook his arm free, glaring at Geir. “Why is your mate touching my…”

Geir inclined his head. “Why is he touching your mate? I think they’re trying to send you a message.”

“What kind of message is that?” Tier snarled. The two of them were tangled together, Declan’s hands slipping down Rohahen’s broad chest, tracing over his firm muscles, and then sneaking lower, toward his jeans. Geir wanted to storm over and rip them apart.

On the other hand, it was almost funny to see the usually composed Chief snapping at him in jealousy. Was this what Geir had looked like a moment ago? Probably. “The message is that you’re supposed to jump in and claim him. Just be gentle with my… mate while you do. They’re playing a game to get our attention.”

Declan kept going until his hand was fully tracing Rohahen’s zipper, and then threw a saucy wink their direction. Geir’s boy was a menace.

Geir watched as Tier visibly composed himself. He still strode over, looking fierce, and the other dancers scattered out of his way. Whatever he did had Rohahen turning toward him, and whatever happened between them after that wasn’t any of Geir’s concern.

Geir stepped in behind the Chief and placed a heavy hand on Declan’s shoulder. “I think you’ve caused enough trouble tonight. It’s time to go home.”

Chapter 33

Declan

Declan laughed, the music wrapping around him as he lost himself in movement. The tribe crowded all around him, giving him energy that filled up some important place inside him. Aside from Ro, he’d only known the dancers for a few hours, but they already felt like friends.

Sesenne, one of the warriors who’d been on the rescue mission last night, started some sort of complicated thigh-slapping dance and he tried pitifully to catch up. He was terrible at it, but he laughed anyway.

Then the music changed to a good line dancing song and he called out the moves as the shifters fell into formation around him. None of them were that good, but he felt joyful dancing together with them.