he was not expecting a return of the affectionate gesture, but his ears folded back and eyelids fell to half-mast below peregrine's gentle ministrations. having been alone for such a span of time, taltos had quite forgotten how much he had craved physical affection; his was a spirit not content with being held at arm's length. he gave a low, noncommittal sound at the devil's statement, but another relationship was not what peregrine needed at the moment.
i have loved one man and one woman in the past. she was my leader, a savage sort. i would have loved to consort with her, and yet i was content to merely worship her, my witch. and he was my packmate, a lover of both my soul and my body. i grieve them, but i will love again. whether or not it is reciprocated is of little consequence to me. he loved instantly the dance of his second name upon peregrine's tongue, and his eyes glowed with pleasure as he beheld those of his leader.
i loved them in my time of grief, he said simply, and their bodies, their affections, helped me to mend. i did not need the formality of their love, or their pledges, merely what they offered. he paused, taking a thoughtful breath. perhaps they used me, or i them, but in the end, it mattered little, peregrine, for we were all whole at the end of it.
this time, he did not pull his eyes away immediately; he allowed them to meet those of his companion boldly, though his stance was deferential as not to give peregrine the impression of challenge.