Lion Head Mesa reed & knife

but his arms were for them both, the powerful pull of them open to each girl, each one together. his princess. his battle-scarred warrior. kisses for foreheads; all that had gone on did not make them less his daughters.

his eyes were wet as he looked from tiye to safiya. "here we are safe. akashingo is fortified. there will be no more taken from us."

from you, safiya.

he held them tightly again, too moved for words as his heart ached with mending.