Phantom Hollow lamb

"malice lanius," buffalo purled, shooting a dark smile at his sister. "everyone speaks to byll. she's a little ... spacey. i'm her voice. they're always in her head, you know." the queen was granted a wink. "very beautiful indeed, sister," buffalo murmured, letting his eyes glide without shame over the fine curves of the woman called malice. byll was his heartsong, the one who bound him to this life, and the next, and it was her body he craved above all others for she brought him close to the gods -- buffalo hadn't her gifts.

but there was no harm in looking. or touching.

"what is wrong?" the pale man asked, cupping his ears in concern toward the queen, for he had not missed the tremble of her tones.