Hoshor Plains [m] once upon a time, the planets and the fates and all the stars aligned

They had been liberal with their affections ever since that moment in the ice caves, with one or the other carefully initiating; but now as Kaluktuk looked upon the woman he saw the same desire magnified and focused upon him.

She called to her chosen, and he knew to obey. This was a dance they'd done so many times by now — but this time it would be different. This time would be the first with Ariadne in full bloom as a woman. All that Kaluktuk could think of as he fell upon her, ravenous, was the certainty that their futures were bound together. Their sons and daughters would be forces in the world.

Kaluktuk would not let himself fail again at fatherhood.