Ouroboros Spine xxiii. in each others wounds

lótë came closer, and kukutux felt some deeply pained place within her suddenly thrill to life with greenery and a rush of healing. she had loved the blackbear woman, but this was different: moonglow was not moonspear, after all.

she had made a new place that belonged to those who had built it from the snow and the mud with her.

the mention of adrastus filled her with joy, and the secret satisfaction of an atsak. new life in their village, new children, new names.

the warmth in her only settled slightly at the cloudberry wolf's question. "i must do what is best for moonglow, always. if i have husband, then i am wife. not moonwoman. i can only have one path. if i marry, he too must be chieftain in this village. that is the way of things. and i am not ready, yet, to have another husband."

the blackfox, and the pain he had left, still lingering in echoes.