Trust had eventually been regained, but Sadaluk did not fool himself over the reason for it. The accepted way of regaining trust with an Ice Trapper was to outlive him.

Fear and understanding slowly began to coalesce in Inigar’s thoughts. Something terrible was about to happen. Here, in the exact and sacred center of clan.

Raif called the fox to him. The space separating them condensed and almost immediately, he felt the heat of the creature's blood against his cheek.

He had been told what a Garizon war-king was capable of. He had been told but he didn't really know.

He felt the intricate tangling of muscle and tendon, felt the sensuous curve of the ovaries.

He drew near the bed. The girl moaned and turned away. He stood above her and, with hands that had killed a king, he ripped the linen shift from her back.