Moonsong Glacier If we run into red full speed

Heat shot down the panther's spine and suffused his body at these simple words; his intrigue was clear, but part of him still wondered at the implications of such a thing. He had to be careful here, if his permanent place was to be among these people. Some missteps were not easily overlooked.

"You are a woman already," he told her, because he did not think a man was needed to make this distinction — but his voice was warm, and his gaze was admiring as it was drawn again to her gold-clad figure. "In the tradition of my people. And a woman is free to seek pleasure wheresoever she desires. If you seek it here — "

He flashed a little smile, appearing bashful for a heartbeat.

"Then it is as our seal hunter has said. I am gentle." He dared to come a little closer, and to speak quiet words against a tufted ear: "And I am eager, and I am generous."

But!

"Come look," he implored, ducking into the mouth of the cave — which was just high enough for Simbelmyne to enter with only the fluff of her ears in danger of knocking against it.

It was dark in the mouth of the cave, but ahead, there was an eerie blue glow.

"I think sometimes that this must be what it is like deep below the waves," he said on the way down the short, narrow passage. It was wide enough for two wolves to walk side-by-side, with enough room for a third to squeeze past them if necessary. But around a slight curve, the passage opened up into a vaulted cavern. Winter sunlight filtered frosty blue through the highest points, and then much deeper glacial blue in the areas where the ice walls were thicker. They cast shadows through dim rays of tourmaline sunlight, and the trickling water cast reflection that danced like fish on every surface.

"Perhaps a seal hunter could tell us," he suggested, still gazing up at the show in wonder.