Shy Deer Steppes tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow

The black bear scoffed, scandalized but still good-natured.

"He's much better," she insisted, but it was clear she would not push Sumac on her granddaughter any further. She leveled a severe look on the girl — one that was spoiled by the obvious admiration in her eyes. "I hope, for both our sakes, that you will not be forced to find there are more important things in the world."

In the mean time, she would keep her eyes open for a nice prince.

"Enough about boys, then," she went on, turning in a slow circle and zeroing in on something in the distance. "Let's hunt, shall we? I'd like to tell your mother that I at least saw you off with something in your belly."