Bramblepoint [m] the body

A rustling in the brush stilled the starwoman, eyes locked on the movement of the foliage until the young man broke free; curses sprung from his mouth. Sialuk relaxed, and a pensive look overtook her features. She knew this man. Sialuk had considered him handsome then, and her opinion had not changed on the matter. If he recognized her, she did not see it in his eyes.

Sialuk moved forward, gliding to close the gap that so inconveniently separated them. Her nostrils flared, taking in the smells of Brecheliant, a sister to her own village, though they shared no blood—yet. A whine began in the back of the Ostrega's throat, and she took another bold step forward so only a sliver of air lay between the two warm bodies.