“Oh. Sorry. It feels really swollen.”

“It’s sensitive.”

“I’ll be careful.”

He bent his head to kiss her again. She let him. Then, from somewhere else on the boat, she heard someone’s voice raised in a question. Someone replied. They weren’t alone here. Not really.

She pulled her mouth from his and bowed her head. He folded her in close to him and kissed the top of her head greedily. She felt his warm breath, and it sent a shiver down through her. He laughed softly at that. “Is this my answer?” he asked her, his voice deeper than she’d ever heard it.

“To what question?” she asked, sincerely puzzled.

“Are you choosing me?”

Almost, she wanted to lie to him. She didn’t. “I’m choosing to be free, Tats. To not have to choose, not now, not ever if I don’t want to.”

“Then, then what does this mean?” He hadn’t released her, but there was a stiffness to his embrace that hadn’t been there before.

“It means that I wanted to kiss you.”

“And that’s all?” He leaned back from her, and she looked up at his face.

“For now,” she admitted. “That’s all.”

She was meeting his gaze now. A trick of the light moved stars in his dark eyes. He nodded at her slowly.

“That’s enough. For now.”

Day the 22nd of the Prayer Moon

Year the 6th of the Independent Alliance of Traders

From Detozi, Keeper of the Birds, Trehaug

To Erek, Keeper of the Birds, Bingtown

In a sealed message cylinder, specific to his family and sealed with wax imprinted with his seal, a confidential message from Trader Sworkin to Trader Kellerby.

Erek,

I am both saddened by the news that your father has been ill and relieved to know that you were not on our river when the world went mad. I wish to assure you of our family’s hospitality should you have the opportunity to come for a visit with us. If the other bird keepers could take charge of your flock and responsibilities for a time, perhaps you could accompany Reyall when he returns home to visit, if indeed that visit is possible. I would greatly enjoy finally meeting you after all these years of exchanged notes.

Detozi

CHAPTER NINE

DISCOVERIES

Sedric.

“No. Go away. Let me sleep.”

Sedric.

“I just want to sleep.”

Sedric.

“What?” He projected all his annoyance into the word. It hurt. He lifted his hand to his jaw, then gingerly explored the whole side of his face. It hurt. Of all the bruises that Jess had given him, this one hurt the worst. One of his eyes still wouldn’t open all the way.