Stone Circle Life alone makes me shake

The woman’s question hung on the air for a long time.

Crowfeather wavered. His hopeful, light-filled eyes had softened and dimmed. The expression on his face was far from where they stood. He was in a field of fireflies with Germanicus. The sun had set, and the summer air was thick with the hum of crickets and cicadas. The glen where they stopped to rest was buzzing with life. But they were safe and warm, and they were happy. Crowfeather was happy.

That was a long time ago, now. The glen had been forgotten when they had reached Akashingo. Happiness had been stripped away. The dark tripod had set unrealistic expectations. He had allowed himself to love someone who would never love him in return.

I- his voice croaked hoarsely. The honey of his eyes could not meet her face. He feared she would see the image in his mind. He feared that she would know the secret love he had left in his heart.

I wish for something I can never have.

Crowfeather blinked and pulled himself from the glen of fireflies.