Qeya River the wind finally sleeps

he became frenzied with anger when he did not find his wife where he thought she should be. rage roiled his shoulders; he stalked in a harsh circle before breath was caught. and then sun eater went to find his mate.

he did not want to forbid her, nor shame her. but she must listen, and each time she did not, it reminded the lanzadoii man of what more she had been. 

did she mean the same here? he would forbid it!

sweetdust herbs. his wife bent smoothly over the stranger. blackfell lingering, watchful in a way that only made sun eater feel far too seen.

"i suppose you want to take her back," he groused once the girl's worthlessness had been evaluated, pawing at the earth. to accept a weak mouth in midwinter was not what he wished, not when the saatsine prepared for young. already had the newcomer taken a store of herbs. possessiveness made a harsher man of the chieftain. nursing this one as healer might bind her to the places he knew she must remain. 

he would have a barter. "i will allow it, but you must promise i will never see you here again. you must stay near your den." his one eye locked flatly to her own. "say that you understand my words."