Deepwood Weald tropicalis

The panther did not dispute this; he had no proof that Cen was not what he claimed, and sometimes, a claim was all that was needed to make two strangers kin. This was the beauty of family, he thought. Try as he might, he could not see any beauty in Cen — but he nodded in acknowledgement. Cen was family. He accepted this.

"I understand," he said after a long moment. "I will be sad to be without you, but I will be happy if this brings a new fullness to your life. This is important to me, too."

He did not think Cen would fulfill her, but he did not give this away with his tone or expression. This was something Sulukinak would need to see for herself. Perhaps the journey would accomplish for her what Cen could not.

"You will always be welcome here," he told her. "I hope you will return, at least to visit. But if you do not, know that I will think of you always, and I will wish you well."

He stepped forward to push his nose briefly to her cheek.

When he stepped back, his expression was clouded.