The silence stretched.
Long and uncomfortable.
"He's doing what he can," Nyx said finally. "We both are."
"I know." Because she literally did know. Had heard every thought.
"The elders will come around. Eventually."
"And if they don't?"
Nyx's mind: ฅᨐฅ'Then we face exile. Both of us. Lose our tribes, our positions, everything. But we'd still have her. Still have each other. Is that enough? It has to be.'ฅᨐฅ
Out loud: "Then we deal with it. Together."
Faelyn looked out at the unfamiliar village.
Panthers moving along bridges and platforms.
EYES.
All watching her.
Judging her.
The leopard chief's mate who'd corrupted their chief too.
A symbol of betrayal to both tribes.
"They hate me," she said quietly.
Not a question.
A statement.
"They don't know you yet," Nyx replied. "Once they do—"
"Will it matter?" Faelyn turned to look at him. "I'm still bonded to their rival's chief. That won't change."
Nyx had no answer.
The unified mark on her side throbbed.
