Page 160 of Sun Warrior

“I have,” Dove said slowly. She hated lying to her friend, but what choice did she have? If Lily knew Dove was just an eyeless girl with whom Death was infatuated, would she help her escape? She couldn’t chance Lily changing her mind. So Dove lied with an ease she had been practicing her entire life. “All I see for sure is if we stay, Death will overtake us.” She touched Lily’s arm gently. “I’m sorry that I will be a burden to you. Out there”—Dove gestured before them—“I will be helpless without you.”

“Then you have nothing to fear, Mistress, for I shall not leave your side.”

Dove hugged her. “Thank you, Lily. I give you my word that someday you will be rewarded for your fidelity to me.”

“Escaping Death is all the reward I need. And now we need to move. The sun has risen and we need to get far from the City before dark.”

“You brought the ropes so that we can tie ourselves to the boughs of a mighty tree tonight, didn’t you?”

“Of course, Mistress,” Lily said. “I followed the Reapers yesterday as you asked. I know the way to the ridge that separates the City from the Others, and the hidden path that takes us to a crossing point. Soon we will be out of our territory and in the concealment of the forest.”

The girls began walking. Dove’s arm was linked through Lily’s and the Attendant’s eyes constantly scanned the ground before them sothat she could guide her Mistress around clumps of ferns, tree roots, and fallen logs.

“When we reach the ridge and cross it, then we turn south. Dead Eye told me he found sign to the south of a people who live burrowed into the earth,” Dove said.

“And your Champion said they were peaceful?”

Although she had already explained this to Lily, Dove understood the girl’s need for reassurance. “Yes. He said they tend plants and weave. I asked him if it wouldn’t be less trouble to take over their burrows rather than battle with the tree people, but my Champion said he did not wish to burrow into the ground when he could live in the clouds instead.” Dove shook her head. “I wish I had found a way to stop him. Maybe he would still be here with me and the God would have remained asleep.”

“Mistress, I mean no disrespect, but I believe Dead Eye’s fate was sealed when he was chosen to be the God’s Champion. You could not have stopped it. You are an Oracle, not a God.”

Dove bit her lip, nodded, and kept putting one foot in front of the other. She was frightened and unsure about the future, but that fear was nothing compared to the terror of losing herself, as Dead Eye had lost himself.

“I will survive. It is what I do.” She didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until Lily responded.

“And I will be by your side.”

“Thank you, my friend. As we walk, let us pray to the Great Goddess for her help,” Dove said.

She held tightly to her friend, her guide, her salvation and left Death behind as she fervently prayed to a Goddess she could only hope was listening.

CHAPTER 35

Just before dawn Mari and Nik awoke, slowly, sensually, bodies tangled together with an intimacy Mari couldn’t have imagined before loving Nik. Mari didn’t want to let him go, but she knew it was like taking a dressing from a wound—better if it happened quickly so that the suffering wasn’t prolonged.

“If you take Rigel and Laru out, I’ll heat up the last of the rabbit stew for all of us,” Mari said.

Nik kissed her nose. “Tea with lots of honey, too?”

“Sora says that’s the only way my tea is drinkable.”

“Sora is a smart girl.”

“Nik!” She smacked his naked butt teasingly as he bent to put on his pants.

He laughed and moved out of range. “But don’t tell her I said that.”

“Your secret is safe with me. Rigel, sweet boy, go with Nik and Laru.” The young Shepherd put his paws up on her pallet, licking her face, before he trotted after the other two males.

Mari washed and had the stew simmering and tea steeping when her males returned. She loved how the proprietary words fit together:her males.They did belong to her and she to them. Before Nik and Rigel and Laru, she couldn’t have imagined her life so filled with people and animals and love—and now she couldn’t imagine her life withoutthem. She’d just tucked a sprig of forget-me-nots behind her ear when her males burst into the little burrow, bringing with them noise and laughter and love.

The canines dug into their much cooler stew while Mari dished up full bowls for herself and Nik—and she added a healthy dose of honey to her questionable tea. Then Nik and Mari sat beside each other, bodies so close they often touched, gazes just as often meeting and holding. Mari loved the fact that she could reach out and touch him—whenever she wanted to—and that the more comfortable she felt with him, the more affectionate Nik was in return.

Mari ate slowly, savoring each moment with Nik, knowing that this was the last they would be alone for a very long time. But inevitably the meal ended and Nik began packing his satchel, preparing to leave.

“Davis should be here any moment.” Nik went to the door to the snug little burrow and opened it. “Rigel, Laru, let me know when you scent Cammy.” The Shepherds padded to the open doorway and stretched out in the sunlight, eyes deceptively half lidded. He took Mari’s hand, sitting beside her. “Let’s go over it one more time.”

She nodded and gripped his hand tightly. “Okay. You and Davis are going to circle around the Tribe, coming at them from the direction of the Gathering Site by Crawfish Creek.”