Lion Head Mesa novella

oh, what a pair they were! world-weary, tired, the jangle of his familiar collar in her ears.

"i have half a mind to retire, gucci," tavina said at last with nothing of her usual bite in the words. "and yet i wonder what would become of toula if i did."

surrounded by sycophants and ambitious men, her future was already designed and decided. she needed the strength of women also, but tavina was not sure she could do it any longer.