Dragoncrest Cliffs elephants have wrinkles

mireille frowned thoughtfully. "i do not t'ink i want to have a man who be wantin' to stay close." she had seen the cost of love, first in her mothers, then in chacal's loss of a child who did return, and then heda, who pined for a man who did not love her back.
she smiled quickly at meerkat, shrugging her shoulders. "it be odd. my mot'ers told me what to expect. dey explained it all. but de — de idea itself — i be nervous for it."
unsure of being alone. unsure of being alone with a man she did not know.
her expression turned wry. "maybe you tell me if it be a good t'ing. pleasant." heat, she meant, though she had no way of knowing it herself till the time arrived.