“He looks no different than most men.”
It was sort of true. He wore his hair long and dressed like most men from Rising Moon—often shirtless, like tonight—but he had sharper features. His eyes were wide and expressive, and his smile made them crinkle in the corners. In a way, he reminded Kai of her father, who was tall and muscular and commanding, and Atsadi’s earlier actions showed he was also thoughtful.
For Fala’s sake, Kai hoped Atsadi was half the man Kai’s father was.
Atsadi left his friend while the man was still talking, his entire focus now on his wives. He greeted Fala first, the two grasping forearms and tapping their foreheads together. His attention fell across Kai, and for the first time, she felt what it meant to be wrapped in his warm consideration. However, that was where it ended, as he likely sensed her desire to step away from him if he reached out.
“You look well after your time with the Grand Matriarch,” he said to Kai.
“It went as expected.”
“She was furious,” Fala explained. “But she has allowed Kai’s decision to stand.”
Atsadi’s smile spread. “Good, because Kai already has much support from the clans. It’s all everyone is talking about.”
It hadn’t felt that way when she’d been descended upon earlier, but they’d mostly been of her clan.
“You are very brave,” he added, “and I hope it is okay for me to say… I am proud.”
Fala beamed between them.
Kai’s throat suddenly felt very tight. “Thank you.”
Silence wove through them like a noose, and Fala took the opportunity to change the subject. “Tell us about this.” Fala fingered his chest near his heart, where the lines of a new tattoo had been recently added. His brown skin was pink beneath the design. “It looks fresh.”
Atsadi glanced down as if he’d already forgotten about it. “It is the start of something much bigger.” His lips quirked to the side. “Mountain peaks—one fierce to convey a warrior’s spirit, and the other serene for a healer’s nurturing nature.” His gaze met Kai’s. “I want there to be no doubt of my commitment to both.”
Fala’s hand tightened on Kai’s. “There must be a symbol for you as well,” she said.
“There will be. A river will flow between the peaks for connection and balance—a representation of my intention to be a constant source of sustaining life.”
“That’s so thoughtful,” Fala said. “Don’t you think so, Kai?”
Kai didn’t know what to say. Atsadi would wear these symbols for the rest of his life, and she still clung to a solitary life with Fala. She’d been dismissive and cold; still, he chose to see past her behavior to what they could all be to each other.
“We should go inside,” Kai said.
The crowds had thinned, and it took them no time to pass under the black rock archway. The amphitheater levels within were already packed into clan groups, the hum of chatter nearly overtaking the background music played by the Bronze Raven females.
Atsadi paused and stared toward where his clan gathered across the room.
Fala followed his gaze. “Kai and I sit with Silver Wolf.”
“Not always,” Kai hurried to add. “You are not a hostage. If you wish to sit with your family?—”
“You are my family,” he cut in. “And you are First Daughter. It is only right that we sit with you.”
Atsadi offered Kai his arm—Fala already had his other.
He’s not a bad male, Kai heard Fala say with her pointed stare.Little steps.
Kai took his warm arm above the elbow, filling her palm with his massive biceps. Whatever job he did for Rising Moon made him as strong as any of her male warriors—a fact already made obvious by the definition of his upper body.
His scent, too, was pleasant. Like pine and cedar—likely from the resinous oil used to treat wood. There was also a faint hint of worn leather, which always comforted her because it reminded her of when she sat on her father’s lap as a youngling.
They sat on the edge of one of the lower levels, facing the Grand Matriarch’s chair and behind much of Kai’s large family. Fala, again, made it so Atsadi remained in their center. Her sandaled feet, leather straps weaving up her soft calves, swung gently beside Atsadi’s still, bare feet. Kai crossed her boots at the ankles and gripped the ledge beside her thighs, trying not to notice how much heat Atsadi put off.
Atsadi brought the foot nearest Kai up to hook on the edge of the step and leaned into his opposite arm. He whispered into Fala’s ear, and she chuckled in response.
