Meadowlark Prairie Get some whipped cream on the top too.

She didn’t think such things were actually possible, though the heat coursing through her made Towhee question everything she knew. Maybe she was about to burst into flame. As the sensation persisted, it occurred to her that it might be smart to seek out some water. A nearly hysterical laugh escaped her at the absurdity even as she lurched toward Bramblepoint. Many streams wove through the trees there, she knew, and hopefully she would reach one before she started a forest fire.

Laughing again, she didn’t notice Cinar at all until he stepped in front of her. Towhee actually shouted in surprise, not quite managing to stifle the subsequent snarl that burst out of her throat. Hadn’t she told him not to sneak up on her? Did he want to change his name to Cinder, because Towhee was definitely thinking about spitting fire his way…

Then the startled moment passed and she really looked at him, his scent threading into her nose at the same time. The Redhawk’s orange eyes suddenly widened and, two heartbeats later, she let out a sudden and stentorian groan.