Bramblepoint k e l t e n t r a u e r

His teeth flashed in a smile and Ani felt herself swooning. He said that word again, though she was staring so raptly at his face that she hardly registered it. Fortunately, she tuned in again as he introduced her to a new word, specially picked just for her. “Better for you, I think,” he said and Ani’s paw flew to her heart. She was in love.

Cheeks flushed with pleasant heat, she wracked her brain for some fanciful word to call him, perhaps in her father’s tongue. But she couldn’t very well call this handsome young man something that meant “daughter” or “girl child,” and she didn’t know any others. Anyway, Ani desperately wanted to know his given name.

What’s your name? she breathed. I’m Ani, though you’re welcome to call me ‘bird’ or ‘songbird’ or anything you like, she chirped, fittingly.

Gazing at him in anticipation, Ani found herself overcome with a peculiar urge to close the small distance between them and kiss him on the nose, or perhaps the cheek. A small titter escaped her at the absurdity of the sudden compulsion. She didn’t act on it, though her belly dipped and swooped.