A part of her longed to heed Tanin's advice, to fly north, to find Laira and the others and help them with their struggle. Yet how could she abandon the people of the south? How could she forsake all these lost souls in her camp? How could she fly north when other Vir Requis might be hiding in the south, needing to hear her roar, to see her wings upon the wind?

Perhaps that part of her wanted to be what she had railed against—a girl again. To be as she had been—an innocent child, following others. Following her father. Following King Aeternum of Requiem. Even following Tanin.

There's less fear when you follow another. To lead is to always feel fear and doubt, not only for yourself but for those who follow you, who seek comfort in your strength . . . strength you feel cracking in the night, whose fragility you hide like a mother might hide an illness from her children. She took a shuddering breath. And I am as a mother to the people outside my tent. Though I'm afraid, I must be strong for them, and I must lead them as others have led me.

The tent door rustled behind her. She turned to see Tanin walk inside.

Issari rose to her feet. "Tanin," she began, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to become angry, to hurt you, I—"

He approached her and grabbed her arms. He stared down into her eyes, silent.

"Tanin?" she whispered.

He kissed her.

He had kissed her many times before, but this was something rougher, deeper, ablaze with passion. He placed a hand on the small of her back and pulled her body against him, and still he kept kissing her. Issari's legs loosened. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close, and for the first time in many days, she felt soft, she felt a loss of control, no longer that cold, hard leader.

"Tanin," she breathed. "I guess that means you forgive me?"

She felt his manhood harden against her belly, and he ran his fingers along her back, from her nape down to her tailbone and up again. He kissed her again, then all but shoved her onto the bed.

"Tanin!" She gasped up at him. "Now it's like I don't know you. What—?"

She gasped as he grabbed her tunic and tore it off. His clothes came off next, and he stared at her, silent and naked, then gently pressed her down onto her back.