Atsadi bounded into the space before his wives, his arms spread like wooden beams. “Leave her be. Only the Grand Matriarch can demand these answers you seek.”
“See?” Fala whispered into her ear. “He’s not so bad.”
He was indeed a benefit in this situation.
Atsadi backed toward the women, his arms still outstretched, and spoke to them over his shoulder. “You two go on. Keep your heads down. I’ll remain here.”
“This could take a while,” Kai said, gripping Fala’s hand. “You don’t?—”
Fala cleared her throat.
She was doing it again. Using excuses to maintain distance.
“Sit with us tonight,” Kai suggested. “At the clan meeting.”
Atsadi broke eye contact with the crowd to meet Kai’s gaze. A corner of his mouth lifted. “To sit with my wives is a privilege I’ve done nothing to deserve—yet. So, it would be my honor.”
Fala squeezed Kai’s hand and said, “And ours, husband.”
Kai started to pull Fala away, their path clear and safe. It wouldn’t have been if not for Atsadi.
She paused to face the man who put himself up against all the anger. “Thank you, AtsadiRising Moon.”
He lowered his chin in a nod. “You are most welcome, Kai Silver Wolf. Now go.”
Kai let Fala lead her through the pathways and tunnels. If she didn’t, she’d likely end up soaking the night away in the healing pool instead of in Stoneheart Hall with the rest of the clans. Anywhere else that would eliminate the buzz in her head that sounded very much like her mother.
“You spit on ancient traditions at every turn.”
Was she right? Did Kai have so little regard for their clan heritage? Should she have turned a blind eye and chosen the better Silver Wolf warriors? Ignoring the best warriors because of their clan name?
“How many Quiet Rock younglings will suddenly shun the idea of healing? Broken Axe younglings will lose interest in the power of education. Who needs a balanced commerce when White Spirit can sire such powerful warriors, too?” Shadi had been well into a furious pace by then. “We allow the more uniquely gifted in our clans to train outside clan specialties because it’s in the best interest of our people. But to name them a member of your new Stormguard…it’s too much.”
Her mother had overreacted, yes, but maybe she had a point. Kai’s chosen females would now become powerful role models, especially within their clans. The Stormguard Legion was all anyone had talked about for the last week. To be named was the highest honor Kai could bestow, as this had never been done.
Younglings throughout the mountain would now wonder if they, too, could be a great warrior despite their clan’s area of focus. To Shadi’s point, they still needed Crimson Wing to manage commerce and trade. If Steel Arrow strayed from hunting and gathering meat, it could result in starvation. It was important that Shadow Water maintained the aqueducts and pumps. And it went on and on. The balance of the clans kept them all alive.
“The clans will force my hand,”her mother had continued. “They’ll ask me to name Sitsi as my heir, and what will I say? I can’t very well rely on tradition to support my argument, can I? When my own daughter, the future of Silver Wolf, turns her back on it?”
Kai would normally have loved hearing that possibility, but all she felt was guilt.
Fala stopped moving, bringing their surroundings back into focus. The entrance to Stoneheart Hall loomed ahead, and a throng of bodies filtered slowly through the entrance.
“There’s Atsadi,” Fala said, pointing.
Their husband stood in the distance with another male from Rising Moon, the two near enough for a private conversation. The male with him spoke fast, as if trying to convince.
They must be friends.
Did Atsadihavefriends, and if so, how many? How many were in his family? She didn’t even know what Atsadi did for work—was he responsible for infrastructure, or was he a miner? Did he love his work the way she and Fala loved theirs? For all she knew, he dreamed of playing the lute with Bronze Raven but had never been allowed due to clan tradition.
Kai sighed. These were all things she’d learn if she bothered to talk to her new husband instead of treating him like a villain.
Atsadi did a double-take, spotting his wives in the crowd, and smiled.
Kai’s stomach flipped warmly, and she lowered her gaze while working on a dry swallow.
Fala squeezed her hand. “He’s very handsome, don’t you think?”
