Moonspear you're not a romantic.

love. there it was again, the request for a definition that kukutux did not think she understood. love had been no factor in her marriage; she was dutiful to jarilo, attentive to every need or desire he might have; she tended the ulaq with pleasure and care, and took pride in her role as educator for the pair of children she had borne him. 

but the duck did not think this was what desdemona meant. "if he chose another wife above me, or put me away, i would be saddened." kukutux was not only well-trained as a wife; she had discovered she enjoyed being near the blackfox, enjoyed his careful looks that reminded her of the spring before, enjoyed how gentle and affectionate he was to the son and daughter of their hearth?

but was this something that could be measured as love in the eyes of desdemona? kukutux was unsure, and did not remark upon sisterhood again.