“Do you believe the Eternal One and her witch knew this would happen?”
“The answer matters not when I have to stand before our people—and every matriarch among them—and choose outside my clan.Again.”
Already, some questioned if Kai was trying to disrupt the long history of the clans on purpose. As if it hadn’t been the Eternal One who placed Atsadi at her and Fala’s side.
“Tell anyone who asks that I named them,” Otekah said. “These females were my choice. They’re therightchoice.”
“The five of you aremychoice,” Kai said, and like all the choices she made where her warriors were concerned, she was certain this was the right one. “Tomorrow, we will begin grouping the others. After that, we start training as vanguards.”
“Today, we are but strong fingers,” Otekah said. “Tomorrow, we become the fist.”
Kai squeezed her proud friend’s shoulder. “You should make the announcement.”
A feral grin spread across her second’s face—any opportunity to make a room erupt in chaos.
Kai made to turn for the gallery stairs. “I will warn my mother.”
“Don’t die,” Otekah shouted after her.
Like the galleries, the stairwell was lined with spectators. Several voiced names as she passed—all Silver Wolf.
“Dezba looks good.”
“I would choose Yazhi.”
“She’ll choose Ooljee for sure.”
Then Fala’s voice pulled down the wall Kai put between herself and the long list of names her people had preferred. “Kai, over here.”
Fala sifted around everyone, radiant in a sleeveless dress the shade of honey.
She wasn’t alone.
The smile Kai felt pulling her lips froze.
What washedoing here?
Atsadi, outfitted in a loose, pale tunic and dark leather pants, towered over everyone from behind. He wore his hair in the same high knot she’d first seen him in, the look accentuating his broad, sharp jawline.
“Have you decided?” Fala asked, her brown eyes glinting. “I can’t imagine how you will choose.”
“Your warriors are very impressive,” Atsadi said.
Of course, her warriors were impressive. She’d trained most of them. But she wouldn’t say that. She’d promised Fala she would, at the very least, find a way to be civil.
“Otekah and I are in agreement, yes,” she said to Fala. “I have to tell my mother before Otekah makes the announcement.”
Fala’s eyes widened. “Then that means…”
“She won’t be happy,” Kai said, a sigh slipping out with her words. “Beyond Otekah, none are Silver Wolf.”
“We will come with you,” Fala said, taking Atsadi’s hand. “As silent support.”
Kai didn’t hear what Fala said after that. Her wife’s delicate, careful, soft hands were one of Kai’s favorite things. To see one swallowed by those long fingers and in his meaty, calloused palm…
Kai’s gut twisted as if she’d taken a blade under the ribs. “No. I can handle my mother alone.”
Tension snapped Fala upright, and she followed Kai’s gaze to their linked hands. Her mouth tightened into a thin line as she tightened that hold and pulled Atsadi closer. “We’ll wait here, then.”
