Silvertip Mountain I wonder if I've been changed in the night

"ursus has me until dawn." he did not shrug away her touch but neither did merrick show that he had recognized it. his gaze was only for what had been their queen and his lover, fierce blackbird who had drawn him from the forests and made of him a powerful god.
merrick wept instead, a breaking and choking sound that he did not hide from arielle. the hatred bittered the salt, and he bent his head lower and lower until he touched the now-rigid flesh of his beloved.