Blackfeather Woods And all the lights that lead us there are blinding

The journey had been long, and lonely, and had no purpose but to return to her and Taktuq. The boy leader and his boy leader friends were of little consequence to him. His world had zoomed in. He remembered what it felt like, to see nothing but another, to care not about oneself and only find interest in them. It was the obsession that had been programmed into all things that could feel, he thought, for even birds seemed capable of it.
But he welcomed his delusion that only she mattered just then. It distracted him from himself and the dire need of his body.
Clearly this was your plot, he reasoned, playing the hero in their roleplay scenario. And you thought I would not discover your dastardly plans, ho ho, he pushed his back foot against her back foot as though he was trying to shove it away. You won't get away with this, Queen, Taikon announced.