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The Seduction of Seleste

From the world of the mating season

The Old Timer

Chapter 60

It rained by the end of the first day. The patter that came was light, but if Seleste knew her homeland, the rain was going to get much harder before the night had ended. It was, in fact, the rainy season: the worst possible time to travel. Dusk rolled orange behind the gathering clouds, and as the sun sank away, the party decided to pause to rest.

Kilyan, Keeno, and Inden stood close as they tried to decide what to do. If it started raining hard enough, they would not be able to see to continue. What was more, they were going to need shelter.

As the older males spoke in low voices, Seleste sat on a rock between LiAnh and Avi and hugged herself against the cold. LiAnh stood over her, his paw on his spear, his eyes fixed with pensive hatred on Keme. Keme stood some feet away, pointedly not looking at either of them, while Mio paced restlessly, and Zee stood staring resolutely into the trees.

Zee was a curious one, Seleste had to admit. LiAnh had hired his nephews on as royal protectors alongside Inden, who had been made captain of the royal guard. Seleste could understand why Inden had been hired: his skill and wisdom beyond his years were famed throughout her village to a point that even her father had often spoken quite highly of him. At one point in time, Chief Misae had considered marrying Inden to one of Seleste's sisters . . . her favorite sister Syizma, in fact. But it was revealed that Inden was in love - not only in love but with a foreigner that he petitioned the chief to allow to live among them. Seleste remembered being on her father's knee when Misae granted Elele permission to join them. Such had been her father's admiration and respect for Inden.

But hiring on Mio and Zee? Seleste questioned LiAnh sharply on this point. After all, the royal protectors were her protectors as well and she wanted only the best. LiAnh insisted that he hadn't hired them just because they were family: Mio was very skilled with sling and knife, and Zee was one of the best scouts in the village. Wolves often called Zee a mountain cat given his superior eyesight and hearing, not to mention his agility and light feet. His nephews were worthy, LiAnh assured her. More than worthy.

Seleste sometimes didn't know what to make of LiAnh. He was firm and commanding, and so far, he seemed to make wise decisions. He was everything her father could have asked for in a successor. And yet . . . there was a darkness in him she didn't understand. He was so angry. And coldly polite. On their wedding night, he didn't even touch her. She hadn't argued - in fact, she had been relieved. She had dreaded the moment when they would have sex because it would mean all of it was real: she had lost Keme and was married to his brother. But then, LiAnh hardly ever spoke to her either. It was rare that he deigned to say anything more than a polite "good morning" or "goodnight." She was married to a complete stranger.

And she was so unhappy.

Upon her arrival at the great hut, the village council had sat Seleste down and explained the situation. But before they could dictate her life to her, she demanded some questions answered. What had become of her family? What had become of Meleste and her husband and her sons? What had become of her royal protectors! She didn't recognize any of the males who patrolled the great hut now! And . . . what had become of MeRorr? Had they given him a proper burial?

The village council seemed loath to answer her questions, but when it became apparent that she wasn't going to listen until they had, they indulged her. Belou and his brother Yzmor, as well as all the traitors who had raped Seleste, had been executed in the village square. After the village warriors subdued the royal guard into submission, they were lined up side by side, and each had their throats slit.

Seleste's eyes had widened and her paw went to her throat to hear such a thing. She hadn't expected for the royal protectors to pay for what they'd done. At the end of the day, they'd only been following Meleste's orders, and Seleste had been certain such a pathetic excuse would have saved them. But no. The royal protectors were made to face the consequences of their actions, and yes . . . MeRorr was given a proper burial.

After Belou and the others were executed, the summer wolves were still thirsty for blood. Some of Meleste's sons had survived the fire - as had her husband. Her sons were murdered, and it was seen as an act of mercy: some of Meleste's children had been burned beyond recognition. No healing magic could have saved them. They were quietly drowned and buried in the graveyard outside the village, alongside their burned mother.

Meleste's husband was run off as a lone wolf. Seleste didn't know what to say to this. What had Meleste's husband done? He hadn't even been there! But the summer wolves wanted to see all of her family suffer. They dragged Meleste's husband out and were going to stone him to death. LiAnh intervened, and Chosovi was run off instead, the mark of the lone wolf upon his forehead.

LiAnh had intervened. It still amazed Seleste. And what was more, LiAnh had calmed the summer wolves, had taken command of the angry village warriors, had organized them in groups - some to rebuild, some to gather food, some to bury the dead. That he'd been charismatic enough to appease such a roaring mob still impressed Seleste: the summer wolves had defied the protests of the village council itself. But at a word from LiAnh? They calmed the hell down. And the fighting stopped. Just like that.

Seleste had to wonder what MeRorr would say if he could see her now. He would probably pity her. Love had come into her life, only to be whisked away. She kept wanting to talk to Keme, but she didn't know what she could say to him. She felt so angry - it was as if he had given up on her!

The night of her wedding, she lay in bed beside LiAnh and stared out the window. Stared and stared, hoping against hope that Keme would come for her. He would come to the window with his spear and traveling pack and they would run away together! She waited all night as LiAnh slept quietly on his side. Waited and waited. But . . . Keme never came.

". . . wish they'd decide something, they're making me antsy," Mio complained as he paced.

Seleste resisted a smile. If there was ever one way to tell Mio and Zee apart, it was the fact that Mio was always anxious and worrying - and as a result, his mane was always loose and ruffled. He never could have kept it in a braid like his brother, not the way he was constantly pulling it.

In sharp contrast, Zee was always calm and collected, as was everything about him: his still body, his cool eyes, even his neatly braided mane. He rarely spoke a word, and even now, he continued staring, unblinking into the trees. He was guarding them, Seleste knew. His ears were forward and he was listening carefully, lest some threat sneak upon them as they rested. His paw was on his spear, and on his back was a bow and quiver of arrows. According to LiAnh, Zee possessed incredibly sharpened senses, and as a result, was one of the best hunters in the village.

"You're _always_antsy," LiAnh teased Mio. "Sit down, will you? If anyone finds us, it'll be because you're pacing."

Before Mio could answer, Kilyan, Keeno, and Inden turned back to the group. Seleste's heart sank: they didn't look happy.

"So here's the situation," Kilyan said and pushed his mane back from his face. The steady rain had plastered it in his eyes, and even the feathers on his spear were drooping, heavy with rainwater. "We can't cross the river for a quite a while. The river will rise --"

"In other words, it won't be easy to cross," Keeno added. "But there are huge trees due west of here. Some are so big, we could easily take shelter inside. Only problem is . . ." Keeno rubbed the back of his ears. "I can't remember which side of the river they're on."

LiAnh laughed humorlessly. "That's great, Uncle Kee."

Keeno grinned and shrugged. "Hey, I'm tryin' my best, your majesty. Do you have any great ideas?"

"I've never left the summer village in my life, you know that," LiAnh said sharply.

Seleste thought LiAnh sounded a little bitter. Her gray eyes searched him curiously. How was it so? Many young males were allowed to travel from village to village. Around the age of sixteen was usually when they were allowed to explore along the trade route. Seleste's very own father used to do such a thing when he was young, and he'd never had a shortage of stories to tell her as she sat on his knee. For LiAnh to have never left the village . . . how much had Kilyan sheltered him, exactly?

"Oh, now he's takin' on that I'm-your-chief voice," Keeno muttered.

"Alright, here's an idea," LiAnh said and tossed his paw, "we turn back now, forget this nonsense, and let Wynn sleep in the bed she made."

Kilyan's nostrils flared and Seleste went very still: LiAnh had crossed a line. A dangerous line.

"What?" LiAnh said when his father glared at him. "She chose to leave us. She chose to run off and be a fox --"

"Not another word," Kilyan said over him.

LiAnh scowled. "Of course, you'd defend her, Dad --"

"Not," Kilyan repeated. "Another. Word."

LiAnh glowered in the opposite direction and fell silent.

Glancing around, Seleste could see the tension that had come over everyone. Even Keme had stiffened at the pending argument. But Kilyan had ended it before it began. He stood staring at LiAnh, as if he just didn't know what to do with him.

Avi looked up at Kilyan sadly, then smoothed her paw up his arm. He blinked as he was pulled from his thoughts, then smiled sadly at her. Watching them, Seleste realized they were both very concerned for LiAnh. But why? As far as Seleste was concerned, LiAnh was acting like a brat, nothing more. God, putting up with Ahote had been easier!

"Halt!" Zee barked, and Seleste flinched as she looked around. Zee was the only one who hadn't gotten caught up in the argument. He had stood steadfast and determined as he gazed into the distance, no doubt drowning out their bickering so that he could hear lurking threats. Now he lifted his spear and spread his legs into fight stance.

Running to Zee's side, Inden lifted his spear likewise.

LiAnh pulled Seleste to her feet and pushed her behind him. "Get back!" he snapped at her. He lifted his spear, his face dark, his white mane slicking in his eyes.

Seleste did as she was told, but peered over the shoulders of the others as they pressed forward. A single, hunched figured was making its way toward them. The stranger looked so small and feeble, Seleste had to wonder what all the fuss was about. He drew nearer through the rising mist, and they could see a small basket in his paws. When he stopped before them, it became apparent that he was nothing more than a ragged old wolf. His gray fur was so nasty and matted, it hung off his skinny frame in thick clumps. Seleste tried to draw a scent from him and was startled by the musk that hit her nostrils. Why did such a ragged creature . . . smell so good? Surely, he should have smelled to high heaven!

"I said halt!" Zee barked again. He sounded so menacing, Seleste had to applaud the bravery of the old wolf as he drew even nearer.

Kilyan pushed his way forward and waved for the others to lower their spears. The others did so readily, but Zee looked at Kilyan as if he'd lost his mind.

"Grandchild," Kilyan insisted, "he's harmless."

Zee snorted but did as he was told. "Things are not always what they seem, Grandfather," he said darkly and regarded the stranger with great dislike.

Seleste was startled when the old wolf laughed. The breath whistled through his teeth as his shrewd little eyes went from face to face. "A smart boy you have there, master wolf," he said to Kilyan.

Kilyan lifted his chin as he studied the wolf. "What do you want?" he barked.

Seleste's heart nearly stopped when the old wolf looked at her. Their eyes locked, and a voice cut clear through her mind, I wanted to see you . . . Daughter of the Frost. Guardian of the Crystals. Last hope of those who sleep.

_ _

"I asked you a question," Kilyan snapped. "What do you want, stranger? If you desire nothing, then leave us in peace."

"We're not feeding you, old timer," Keeno added flatly.

The old wolf laughed. "Nor do I need to be fed. I heard your argument. You are travelers, trapped here by the pending storm." His breath whistled through his fangs again, and his eyes darted curiously to Seleste.

Seleste stood as one stricken. Zee was right: this old wolf was far more than he seemed.

"So you were eavesdropping?" Keeno said and smirked.

The old wolf grinned, showing several black spaces in his yellow, crooked teeth. "Was hard _not_to eavesdrop, master wolf." He nodded his head at Mio, "The boy paced so loud, I could have shot him in the dark."

Mio rubbed his ears guiltily. "That's - that's not true . . ."

"So what do you want?" LiAnh demanded. "And stop looking at my wife!" His voice was nearly a roar, and Seleste's heart leapt: she hadn't expected such protectiveness from LiAnh. Not after the cold shoulder he had given her.

Kilyan waved a paw to calm LiAnh. "Fine," he said to the old wolf, "you don't want food, you heard us talking. What now?"

"If we were wise," Zee said slowly, "we'd run him through and go on."

"If you were wise," returned the old wolf gravely, "you'd shut your fool mouth and listen to every word I have to say."

"Alright, I've had enough --!" Zee began.

"No -- wait, Zee!" Seleste cried. She went to stand protectively before the old wolf and ignored it when LiAnh made a noise of protest. Everyone looked at her, and she saw Keme smiling to himself, as if he was thinking Typical. But she wasn't protecting the stranger out of kindness or compassion. He knew who she was! Just like Enayape, he had called her Daughter of the Frost. But did that automatically mean he was harmless? Turning to face the old wolf now, she knew that only she could know for certain.

"Alright," Seleste said to the stranger, "you've got my attention. What do you want?"

The old wolf gazed at Seleste, and his eyes were haunted, wet with sorrow. You must make your way to the kingdom.

_ _

". . . something a little less vague, please?" Seleste said and cocked an eyebrow.

Avi came to Seleste's side and protectively took her arm. "Magic at work here," she said darkly to the stranger. "Avi smell it on you. Do what you came to do, old one. Or Avi break you in nice halves and we go on way!"

The old wolf chuckled. "Shemales," he said in amusement. "You always know, don't you? The little children gone astray. Yes, yes, daughter," he whispered and peered curiously into Avi's eyes. "I will take you. To shelter."

Without another word, the old wolf turned and ambled away.

"Please tell me we're not gonna follow the crazy guy," Keeno said into the silence. "Did you see what was in his basket? Teeth! Teeth . . . and what smelled like squirrel shit. He probably eats it. Which gives a whole new meaning to the word 'nuts'."

"We're going to follow the crazy guy," Kilyan confirmed.

Keeno tossed his paw in exasperation. "And why should I expect anything else?"

"Dad - are you sure?" Keme said. "Keeno's right - something was off. Way off."

"Keme sensed it too?" Avi said.

"Sensed what?" LiAnh demanded, as if he loathed being excluded.

Avi looked at LiAnh, "Magic. That creature . . . he was not wolf!"

"And . . . we're going to follow him?" LiAnh said incredulously.

Avi smiled. "Not all magic is dangerous, my son," she said gently and touched LiAnh's cheek a moment to reassure him.

Looking at Avi and LiAnh, it hit Seleste for the first time that Avi was like a mother to him. Unlike Keme, he had grown up with her, had probably sat on her lap, faced her scolding, and listened to her bedtime stories. Avi was just another reason for him to loath Keme.

It made Seleste a little sick. LiAnh's behavior reminded her a great deal of Meleste and the jealousy, the bitterness that had always lingered in her eyes whenever Misae paid more attention to her.

"Let's go then," Kilyan said. "We have a crazy magic guy to follow."

The males shouldered their spears and the group headed off in the direction the old wolf had gone. They found him standing on the path, hunched over, whistling as he patiently waited with his basket. When they had drawn close, he turned again and led them on. After a while, Seleste realized he was leading them due west - the same direction Keeno had suggested in the first place.

As they traveled the rain fell harder, and Seleste was doubly grateful for her hooded shawl. Darkness pressed in around them, looming like reaching claws, and the old wolf was getting hard to see in the fog and rain.

Seleste walked close to Avi, who had put her slender arm around her. She smiled at the shemale, and Avi's dark eyes twinkled back at her in the dark. She liked Avi. For one so small and nice, and she was also so tough and commanding. Her father once told her that Avi had been a queen in the jungle. That must've been why.

Seeing the females huddling and cold, Inden moved up beside them and spread his wings above them to shield them from the rain. Seleste wished she could thank him, but he wouldn't be able to hear her over the other roaring of the wind, so she smiled at him instead. His dark serious eyes softened and he nodded.

Looking around at her traveling companions, Seleste reflected that they were exactly who Misae would want at her side. Her father had held Inden and Avi in high regard, and there was no doubt in her mind that Misae would have wanted LiAnh. Had Misae known about LiAnh's charisma and effortless leadership, he would no doubt have approached him as a suitor for Seleste. But then . . . there was MeRorr. Misae had always wanted MeRorr for her, had always hoped.

The old wolf suddenly stopped and pointed, and Seleste looked where he had indicated. "There!" he shouted above the wind. "The cave!"

"Thank you!" Kilyan shouted back.

The old wolf nodded and backed away.

"Don't thank him yet," Keeno grumbled as they ran along. "If something in there jumps out and eats us . . ."

They ran for the cave and stood in the cover of its yawning entrance. Zee volunteered himself as a scout at once, but Kilyan cut him off.

"_Grand_father," Zee protested darkly. "Let me do this --"

"No," Kilyan said over him. "You will stay here and watch, Zee. If anything or anyone comes, howl. Keeno and Mio will stand guard with you --"

"Yes, Captain Kil," Keeno said with a playful salute.

"-- Keme and LiAnh, guard your mother and her highness," Kilyan continued, "Inden and I will go. Inden?"

The winged warrior nodded, his dark eyes flat and determined.

Zee seemed pacified by Kilyan's orders, even if reluctantly so. While it was clear that Kilyan was coddling him, at least he valued his skills enough to put them to use. He turned away and peered out into the rain, his ears forward to listen.

Looking at Kilyan, Seleste suddenly realized where LiAnh had learned to give such firm commands, organize wolves into effective roles, and put things into motion.

Kilyan and Inden disappeared inside the cave, leaving the rest of them standing under the cover of the cave entrance, as the wind roared around them and the rain slapped them.

Seleste held herself and tried to stop shaking. She was so wet and cold and tired. She felt an arm wrap hard around her and was surprised to find LiAnh was trying to keep her warm. When she looked at him questioningly, he ignored her and gazed past her head into the trees.

Seleste followed his gaze: the old wolf was still standing there, still watching them, still holding his basket. He seemed to be expecting something. But what? What the hell did he want? He had told Seleste to go to the kingdom. The kingdom? The fox kingdom?

"I don't like this," Mio said grimly. "I don't like any of this."

"Neither do I," Keme grumbled under his breath.

Seleste looked up and her ears pricked forward under her hood. Keme was staring hard at the arm LiAnh had put around her -- as if he wanted to snap it off. She looked slowly at LiAnh to find he was glaring at Keme.

Avi didn't seem to notice the silent glaring match that was happening. She was staring at the old wolf. Her face was dark, and Seleste knew she was issuing him a silent warning.

Moments later, and Kilyan and Inden returned to announce that the cave was clear. Nothing was inside but the odd bat. It was safe to enter. Glad to be out of the rain, they hurried inside, and as soon as they were all safely within . . . an avalanche blocked the entrance behind them.

"Get down!" Keeno shouted. Seleste felt him grab her arm, and then he was dragging her with him into the darkness.

The noise was shattering. Rocks roared over the mouth of the cave, shaking the ground, rumbling, sending up dust. They choked in the rising dust, coughing and sputtering and stumbling into each other.

Seleste stumbled into one of the males and felt a dick slap her belly. Rather than find out who it was, she blushed furiously and stumbled in the other direction. A large paw grabbed her arm and steadied her. She felt the brush of a wing and realized it was Inden.

"Are you alright, your highness?" came Inden's deep voice. He was choked from the dust and seemed barely able to speak.

Seleste tried to speak and gagged instead. Inden pulled her close and shielded her in his wings. She heard his voice drum up from his chest when he called, "LiAnh? LiAnh! Avi?"

"Here!" Avi called. She sounded so far away! And she was sobbing. Why was she sobbing!

"Where are you, Mom!" Keme called hoarsely. "Wait - I see you!"

What? How could Keme possibly see in this darkness?

There was a soft _foom_and light blossomed in the darkness. Seleste blinked and could see the shapes of the others taking place around her. The first thing she saw was Inden's hard chest as he held her close. She peered past him and could see Mio and Zee coughing and searching the ground for their spears. Keeno had lit a torch that had been in his traveling pack, and now he touched it to the one that LiAnh was holding, catching one flame to the next until the darkness curled back.

Over against the far wall, Avi was kneeling over a body. It was Kilyan. Keme knelt with her and was trying to wake him.

"Dad?" Keme called miserably.

Avi sobbed again and bit her lip. "He was hit on the head," she managed.

Keeno and LiAnh ran to them, quickly followed by Mio and Zee.

"Dad!" LiAnh shouted and fell to his knees. He dropped his torch and it went rolling away, only to be picked up by Mio.

"He's alive," Keme said in relief. "But . . . there's so much blood."

Seleste broke from Inden's arms and hurried to Kilyan's unconscious body. Keme was right: there was so much blood, it was disturbing. Heart pounding, she dropped to her knees between LiAnh and Avi, and after hesitating, she closed her paws over Kilyan's wound.

"Seleste . . . what are you doing!" LiAnh cried hoarsely.

Seleste didn't answer. She closed her eyes as it was happening, and she could feel the heat seeping out of her. Light flashed against the black insides of her eyelids, and she heard Kilyan moan and ask what had happened.

Avi sobbed happily and cradled Kilyan's head. "Shush," she whispered, "Kilyan hurt - Avi take care of him now."

Kilyan frowned and moaned again. ". . . Avi?"

"Yes," Avi whispered. "Hush, it alright now."

When Seleste looked up, everyone was staring at her - everyone except Keme. Why should Keme be surprised? She had healed his burned paws only weeks ago.

"How did you . . .?" LiAnh cleared his throat and shook his head. "How'd you do that, Seleste?"

Keme got to his feet. "We need to build a fire," he announced, "and heat water for Dad."

As if Keme's words had brought everyone to their senses, they turned from Seleste and moved to set up camp. Keme and Zee built up a fire, and Mio set to work rolling out Kilyan's bedroll beside it. Inden and Keeno helped Avi carry Kilyan over to the flames, where they carefully laid him on his bedroll.

"We'll have to dig our way out," Keme said, staring miserably at the rocks that blocked the entrance. "Or I'll have to anyway. None of you could move those rocks --"

"We could still help you," Mio protested darkly.

"After supper then," Keme said. "I'll shift some. Let in some air."

"If I ever get my paws on that old bastard's scrawny neck," Keeno swore. "He meant to trap us in here!"

"That being said, is it wise to have this fire?" Mio pointed out. "If Keme can't move the rocks, we could be burning off air."

"He's right," Inden agreed. "We should scout deeper into the cave, look for an exit immediately."

As the others were speaking, Seleste remained kneeling, staring at her paws. They were bloody from having touched Kilyan. The blood seemed to glare in the darkness.

LiAnh alone reminded with her. He knelt beside her, still watching her in amazement. After a pause, he pulled a cloth from the traveling pack on his shoulder and started wiping her paws clean for her.

Seleste blinked. "You don't - you don't have to --"

"How'd you do that?" LiAnh insisted. He peered hard into her eyes. "Tell me! That old wolf - he sensed something about you. He sensed this."

"Yes," Seleste admitted.

"And Keme," LiAnh said darkly. "He already knew."

"Yes," Seleste admitted again.

"So why didn't I know? I'm your husband."

"A husband who never speaks to me," Seleste snapped. She was surprised when guilt flickered in his eyes.

"I'm speaking to you now," he said apologetically.

"I don't know what this power is or why I have it," Seleste answered honestly. "That's all I can tell you."

LiAnh's eyes searched her, as if he was trying to decide whether or not he should push her. He seemed to decide that her answer was enough, and rising to his feet, he guided her over to the fire. He rubbed her shoulders and quietly asked her to sit.

"Zee, Inden, and I will scout for an exit," LiAnh said, interrupting the conversation. "Keme and Mio should take a look at the entrance, see how much rock can be shifted. We'll be back shortly."

"Here," Keeno said and passed him his torch. "And don't fall down any holes!" he called after them.

Seleste watched as LiAnh, Inden, and Zee disappeared toward the darkness at the back of the cave. Her eyes went back to Kilyan, who was lying half-awake on his bedroll, a faint smile on his lips as Avi stroked his mane. Keme had heated his canteen for him, and Avi was cleaning his mane of the blood. Near her, Keeno sat munching a bit of dried meat from his pack, and beyond him, Mio stared at the rock pile between pacing restlessly.

Seleste had been avoiding it but she couldn't help herself: she finally looked at Keme. He was sitting next to her around the fire, and this was the closest she'd been to him since the day of her wedding. The strong smell of him made her heart thump. He sat with one knee drawn up, his elbow resting on it, and his green eyes were trained on the flames they reflected like glass. God, he was beautiful. That powerful body, all that black hair . . . She bit her lip, wondering what she could do to make him look at her. She missed being the focus of that green gaze!

Seleste took a deep breath and finally gained her nerve. After all, LiAnh wasn't there to interrupt her or glare or throw a hissy fit. She tilted her head, "Keme?"

He looked up, and his eyes softened when he looked at her. That was comforting. She frowned anxiously as she asked, "How are you?"

Keme gave her a half-smile. "About as well as can be expected with you married to my brother."

Across the fire, Keeno laughed sympathetically.

Seleste had almost forgotten he was there. Her ears flattened, as if she had been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to do. But she reminded herself that she was an adult. Females were always treated like pups - but no, she was an adult, and she would talk to whoever the hell she wanted! LiAnh be damned!

Seleste looked at Keme again. "It's not much of a marriage."

Keme frowned. "Not . . . mistreating you, is he?"

"I wish he was treating me at all," Seleste said bitterly. "He doesn't even talk to me. I've never felt so lonely in my life."

Keme's eyebrows went up. But of course he was surprised. He had no doubt spent all this time thinking Seleste and LiAnh were humping like bunny rabbits. Seleste could tell he was pleased with the news, but he was trying not to show it. She smirked. She knew him too well for that.

"But I asked about you," Seleste said pointedly. "How have you been? How's your family?"

Keme smiled at her eager curiosity. "They're wonderful. After being with him, I couldn't imagine leaving the summer village."

Seleste frowned. "But you were thinking of it before?"

Keme shook his head at her. "Can you blame me? You really expect me to sit around watching you with my brother?"

Seleste looked down at her fumbling fingers, and strands of her long mane swung from under her hood. "No. I guess not. So . . . what are you going to do?" She looked at him again and hoped that her meaning was clear. She couldn't bring herself to actually say the words: So . . . are you going to marry?

Keme looked at her miserably. "Settle down. Start a family. . . . do you really want to hear this?"

Seleste frowned. "Yes."

Keme heaved a sigh and looked away from her. "I'm married, Seleste."

Seleste stiffened. It was as if someone had dumped a bucket of water on her. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't move. At last, she slouched as she said incredulously, "Married?"

Keme looked at her apologetically. "Seles --"

Seleste saw her paw fly out from her and come down hard across Keme's face. She slapped him so hard, the sound rang around the cave. Everyone around the fire went very still. Keeno froze mid-chew, and Avi looked up from tending to Kilyan, her dark eyes sad.

Seleste tried to hold them down but saw the tears rise to blind her. Keme just sat, miserable and defeated. Married. She spent her entire wedding night staring at the window, hoping he would come, and that same night, he was sleeping with some other female! She could feel the tremors of rage crawling over her. She wanted to slap him again but suddenly felt too miserable and tired to do so.

And Keme looked so sad, it was hard to stay angry. She dropped her face in her paws and wept. She was being selfish. And mean. After all, what could she expect? For him to remain alone the rest of his life? Did she really think he would come and steal her away in the middle of the night? And then what? They would live in the wilderness forever?

Seleste sobbed into her paws and felt someone touch her head. She knew by the smell that it was LiAnh. He whispered her name uncertainly, then knelt down and hugged her tight. She couldn't stop crying. This was her husband comforting her - and he wasn't Keme. The thought made her dismal all over again and she cried harder.

"What did you do to her?" LiAnh demanded.

Seleste heard Keme say carelessly, "Fuck off, LiAnh."

"You motherfucker!" LiAnh roared.

Seleste screamed as LiAnh pushed her aside, and lunging at Keme, he tackled him to the ground. The males went rolling away, and suddenly everyone was scurrying in a panic. Avi jumped to her feet and shouted for them to stop, Mio and Zee danced around the fight shouting their encouragement. Seleste saw Inden and Keeno struggling to pull them apart. Keme lost control of his strength and Keeno was sent skidding across the ground. That was enough to make the fighting stop.

Mio ran to Keeno and helped him sit up. Keeno had cut his arm rolling across the ground and was slightly groggy from the blow, but he was otherwise unscathed.

"Look what you've done!" LiAnh yelled. Inden was restraining him and he was fighting tooth and nail to get at Keme.

Keme just stood there looking miserably resigned to his brother's hatred.

"You're just like her!" LiAnh accused, and Seleste knew he was talking about Wynn. "You're _just_like her! I won't let you hurt anyone else --"

"LIANH."

It was Kilyan's voice. Everyone froze, and Seleste looked over to see Kilyan was sitting up, his arms folded, his face dark.

Seeing his father awake and alert, LiAnh tore free of Inden and paced moodily. Everyone came to the fire and sat, but he remained up and pacing.

Dragging his furious eyes from LiAnh, Kilyan looked at Inden, who had taken a seat at his side. "Report."

"There are tunnels leading further down," Inden answered at once. "So there might be an exit. And . . ." Inden hesitated, as if he wasn't certain how to explain.

"What is it?" Kilyan pressed. "Go on, Inden."

Zee spoke up for him, "There was a giant crystal."