Greatwater Lake (M) Butterflies taste through their feet.

There was a moment where it felt like an invasion, a bittersweet betrayal. Towhee’s eyes slipped shut. This man—she didn’t even know his name—didn’t look anything like Maxim, nor did he make love to her like her sweet, young mate of yore. This wasn’t that, she reminded herself before letting herself get lost in all the carnal sensations.

Afterward, she sprawled on the ground to rest for a few minutes. Her heartbeat slowed and she didn’t look at the male. She wondered about his name and whether he wanted to be involved with any of the offspring that might result from this. Truthfully, she didn’t really care about any of that.

She closed her eyes again, closing herself off from the world.