ears. They relaxed their aggressive stances upo

ck. He carried her proudly throug

ore her. Primitive mud and straw huts were scattered haphazardly across the

poorly cured hides. They stared openly at Cadence's clean ski

faces but sported furry animal ears and tails. Their noses twitched

resence to protect Cadence from being overwhelmed. He ignored the loud whispers of the tribe. H

rs. He leaned heavily on a polished wooden staff. Chieftain Corbin Thorne narrowed hi

one large hand hovering protectively near her lower

in their guttural language. He gestured animated

s gray beard. He looked Cadence up and do

y. She felt entirely out of her depth and painfully aware of the lang

made a sweeping, definitive gesture toward the perimeter

w furrowed as she tried to decip

ad chest with visible pride. He gently took Cadence's hand and led her away from

ined nothing but a pile of dry grass in the corner and a flat

sensibilities cringed at the complete lack of bas

y raised his hands, attempting to use broad, gentle gestures to ask what was wrong. But as Cadence only stared back with wide, unc

r to stay put. His expression shifted to absolute determination. He dashed ou

s around herself. Anxiety about her permanent living si

wing red, translucent fruit in his palm. He offered the strange fruit to her.

sweet, strawberry-like scent. Trusting his earlier kindness and desperate

spread rapidly up to her brain like a gentle electric

ked at her with intense hope.

s translated perfectly i