Priestess of the White

them?”

“We didn’t. They drove us to the ground. We tried to shoot at them but they scattered as soon as they saw us take our bows, as if they understood what they were for.” The speaker paused. “We walked for a time, then those of us who could fly did so, keeping low and among the treetops in the hopes that we could land and fight if another attack came.”

There was a sigh. “We do not need another danger to add to those we already face.”

“I have never heard of these birds before. Most likely they are an invading species. We should eliminate them, before they breed into numbers that threaten us all.”

“I agree. We need to warn all tribes and—”

“There is something else,” the third man interrupted. “My brother here believes I was imagining things, but I am sure I saw a landwalker.”

“A landwalker?”

“Yes. I saw her as we left. She was watching us, and the birds were gathered around her.”

“I understand why your brother doubts. Landwalkers have never ventured that far into the mountains before. What did this woman look like?”

“Dark skin. Black clothing. That is all I can tell you. I only caught a glimpse of her.”

“This is strange. I must consider what you have told me. Is there anything else I should know?”

“No.”

“Then I will see you back to your tribe.”

The distorted shadows shifted to one side of the bower, then three figures stepped outside. Tryss watched them stride away, his heart pounding.

“I don’t think we were supposed to hear that,” he whispered.

“No,” Drilli replied. “At least they didn’t see us.”

“No.”

“We should go back.”

But he was suddenly conscious of how close she was. He did not want to move away, and she was making no move to do so either. He could feel the warmth radiating from her skin, and smell her sweat mingled with a distinctly female scent.

She shifted closer.

“Tryss?”

Her voice was tentative and questioning, and somehow he knew no question would follow. His name was the question.

“Drilli?” he murmured.

He could barely see her in the darkness - just her jaw outlined by starlight. Slowly, he leaned forward.

Her lips brushed his. He felt a shock of exhilaration, then her mouth closed over his and he felt heat rush through his blood. Two thoughts flashed through his mind.

She wants me.

My cousins are going to be furious!

He didn’t care about his cousins. She wanted him. There was no mistaking that. This was no chaste kiss of a friend. Her hands gripped his shoulders. He slipped his arms under her wing membranes and caught her waist. She drew back slightly.

“Promise me something,” she breathed.

All he could see were stars reflected in her eyes. “Anything.”

“Promise me you’ll show the Speakers your harness at the next Gathering.”

He hesitated at the sudden change of subject. “My harness... ?”

“Yes.” She paused. “You’re surprised.”

“It was far from my thoughts,” he admitted.

She laughed quietly. “Did I actually manage to get your full attention for once?”

He pulled her closer. As he kissed her again, her mouth opened. She mouthed his lips gently, sending shivers of pleasure down his spine. He spread his fingers out over her back, feeling the deliciously neat curve of her spine. As she nibbled at his lower lip he ran a finger down the seam of her clothes, where her vest allowed the membrane of her wings to escape. He felt her stiffen in surprise, then relax and lean against him, her breasts firm and warm against his chest.

This is just too good, he thought wryly. Sliding his hands under the vest, he sighed as he felt the bare, silky skin of her back. He felt her hands follow the same course under his clothes, running from the base of his neck down to - he chuckled in surprise as she squeezed his buttocks. But as he moved to do the same, she pulled away. The sound of their breathing was loud. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“We have to go back.”

He looked away, disappointed but knowing she was right. His cousins, annoyed at losing their quarry in the forest, would return to their parents and report what they’d seen. They didn’t see everything, he thought smugly.

“Promise me we’ll do this again,” he said, the words coming out before he could consider them.

She chuckled. “Only if you promise me you’ll show the Speakers the harness.”

He let out a long breath, then nodded. “I promise.”

“That... ?”

“I’ll show the Speakers the harness.”

“At the next Gathering?”

“Yes. Unless a better opportunity comes.”

“I suppose that’s reasonable,” she said.

They stood in silence for several heartbeats. He found himself remembering the feel of her skin under his hands. He longed to touch her again.

She sighed. “Do you think you could find your way back on your own?”

“No.”

She laughed. “Liar. Of course you can. I think it would be better if we returned from different directions. I’m going to go around the other side of the Open.”

“That’s a long way. Would it be that bad if people saw us together?”

“My father doesn’t want me to marry outside the tribe.” She paused. “Not that I’m asking you to marry me. But he doesn’t like me talking to you.”

He stared at her and felt the night turn sour.

She stepped close. “Don’t worry,” she said lightly. “I’ll change his mind.” She leaned forward and kissed him firmly. Then she slipped out of his grasp. He caught the flash of her teeth in the light from the bower before she turned and hurried away.

Emerahl had learned long ago that the easiest method of finding the secret ways of a city was to befriend the youngest and poorest residents. The grubby, cunning children of the streets could tell you more about its underside than the adults who ruled it. They knew how to be invisible and their loyalty could be bought cheaply.

She had sought them out the day after her narrow escape in the market. Finding a small square in the poorer quarter of the city she spent a few hours watching and listening to the activities around her. The locals weren’t fools, and she only observed two successful pocket-picking attempts.

When one of the boys slouched past her, she met his eyes squarely.

“That’s a nasty cough you’ve got there,” she said. “Better lose it before the weather gets cold.”

The boy slowed and stared at her suspiciously, taking in her well-worn but mostly clean clothes.

“What you care?”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

He stopped, his eyes narrowing. “If you did, you’d give me some coin.”

She smiled. “And what would you do with it?”

“Buy food - for m’self and m‘ sis.” He paused. “She got the cough worse than me.”

“How about I buy the food for you?” she suggested.