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Finding Peace 4

River and Iris spent the next few days with the tribals. Iris spent time with Silver, and not always naked time, learning about what she knew of magic and how they were connected to it. River learned from Feugen, learning about his people, their history, their culture, even their deity Gaia. It was all very fascinating to her, especially Gaia. Though some of their rituals and traditions were a bit... brutal... such as a male having to beat the father or brother of a female bloody to prove himself worthy as her mate, but she still respected them. While she may feel there were better, less barbaric ways to prove ones self worthy in these regards, she couldn't deny the bond it seemed to develop. And as she watched the ending of one such trial she saw the two had built a close bond in the process. The father looked upon the young male with respect. Well, out of the eye that wasn't swollen shut that is. He knew his daughter would be protected and as such, his bloodline would be protected.

Bloodlines were extremely important to the tribals, particularly the Chieftain's line. The royal line among the tribals could be traced all the way back to those who lived with the Dragons. And as such... those who first received the dragon's... blessing. River flushed some as her imagination ran a little wild at how that ceremony must have gone. But she was in awe that even though the dragon's bloodline would've grown thinner and thinner with each generation, the strength of it never wavered. Even looking at Feugen she could see it coursed heavily through his veins and she wondered if the magic of the land had anything to do with it.

She was weary to approach the subject of her father's offer. Especially without the map though she wondered if that was a good thing. She was afraid to upset him. He had shared so much with her and even saved their lives and she felt like her father's offer was an absolute insult. But he could tell... he could tell she was avoiding it like the plague and she knew the longer she put it off, the angrier he would become for her deception. The only way she'd been able to keep his respect so far was with honesty. She met with him late one evening after speaking to Iris and getting her thoughts.

"I... I'm sorry that I've been avoiding the real issue" she said quietly as she sat with him by a warm fire "I've just been so enchanted with learning about your world I was afraid you might... be angry with me and take it all away."

"Why would I be angry?" Feugen asked quietly, though it was clear he was already on guard.

River hesitated and then said "because my father's offer... is to take more of your land, and then give some of it back."

"What?!" he snarled, standing up suddenly.

"I'm sorry!" she said quickly as he turned away from her with a huff "I didn't know. He just... he sent this male to deliver the message. I hate that male so we... we left him behind and took the map. He intends to take more lands from you, just south of the falls."

"Oh he does does he?" Feugen snarled, turning around "and what am I supposed to do? Just let him? Does he really expect us to just lay down and let this happen? Do you?!"

"N... No of course not!" she whimpered "Feugen please I... It's not right! I'm not agreeing with it at all! I just... I don't know what I can do. I need something in return to give him, to appease him..."

"Something in return?!" he snarled "Why should I have to give him ANYTHING just to keep my own land! Why should we bow down to him and his pathetic armies that can't even set foot in our forests because they're AFRAID. Why should I fear him?!"

River winced sharply and she looked down, shaking horribly. "Because..." she whispered softly "he'll burn the forest to the ground if he has to..."

Feugen blinked and just stared at her. He was quiet for a long moment and then said very quietly "get out..."

"Wh... what?..." she whined "Feugen please I..."

"GET OUT!" He roared at her. She turned and fled from the hut, sobbing softly. She just ran... and ran and ran. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she stumbled through the dark brush, not paying attention to where she was going. She passed Silver's hut and Iris heard her run by. She stood up and hastily dressed before hurrying after her confused and worried.

"River!" Iris called as she stumbled down the hillsides in the dark. If she got too far from the village and got lost she could get hurt easily in the night. But River wasn't thinking, she just... hurt.... The way he looked at her, like it was all her fault. She hated how bad those eyes made her feel. She hated how awful she felt for him and his people. But the worst of it was the shame. She felt shame for her father, for her people and their treatment of the tribals. And she felt shame that she had failed... Her luck would run out as she tripped over a tree root with a cry and slid down a ravine, landing hard at the bottom with a yelp. She started to pick herself up and just lay back down and sobbed softly, curling up tight.

A few moments later Iris slid down next to her "River!" she gasped softly, easing her up to look at her "are you alright? Are you hurt?..."

"He hates me!" she sobbed softly "I told him of father's offer and now he hates me! And I don't blame him!" She shook her head "Father is such an IDIOT. I wanted this to work, I adore his people. I love them, I love their culture... I love h*" she stopped herself. She trembled some and she shook her head "he's never going to speak to me again... I failed Iris. And now more people are going to die."

Iris was trying to keep up but the girl was talking a mile a minute. She opted to just hug her suddenly, holding her close and whispering soothingly "shhhh shhh baby girl it's going to be okay. Just breathe... just calm down." River curled against her and cried quietly. She was wet, tired, sore, and she hurt... she hurt so bad. She didn't realize just how much she cared... until it all came crashing down and bit her.

"He's not going to give up..." she whispered "he'll fight Father. And he'll win at first... b... but if father burns down the forest..." She winced and shuddered. Her mind was reeling with images of the forest burning. The tall beautiful trees coming crashing to the ground with tribal furs still in their homes above... the women, the children.

"Then we'll have to figure something out" Iris replied softly. River blinked and looked up at her. "You're too strong to give up now River" she said gently "You've come so far. You've made more progress then anyone else ever has. You cannot give up now. You're better then that."

River stared at her and her ears slowly lifted. She wiped her face and she nodded after a moment. "You're right..." she said quietly "I can't give up. Even if he hates me I have to face him. I have to find some way to make it work. No matter what the cost is..." She stood up and brushed herself off and said "I will not fail."

Iris smiled and stood up slowly, reaching up to gently touch her cheek "no, you won't..." River blinked at her and looked a little startled at how confident she seemed. Iris smiled though and said "we should get back before he comes flying after us again..." River blushed but she nodded and let Iris help her climb back up the ravine. As they reached the top Iris climbed up and over first to help pull her back up. There was a yelp though and River looked up in confusion.

"Iris?..." she called softly. A hand reached down to help her up though and she grasped it and pulled herself up "you had me worried there..." she started to say and then froze, her heart going cold.

"Sorry to scare you..." Bane said softly. He was holding her hand and Iris was being held by three other males. Bane reached up and brushed the hair back from the vixen's face "you know I was a little disappointed when I woke up alone... but don't worry... I'll make up for it once you're mine..." River looked past him to Iris who snapped at one of the males holding her.

"Run Riv*" she stiffened as the male lifted a blade to her throat.

"NO!" River screamed softly "D... Don't hurt her... please..." she whispered, looking back at Bane. "W... What do you want?"

"You're coming back with us... now" he snarled "your father is very upset and you'd better have some good answers or the consequences will be worse then you can imagine." With that he turned and they set off further away from the village. Iris muzzle was bound and her arms bound behind her back as she was marched along behind them all. She made sure no one was watching when she bit down on her tongue just enough to draw a bit of blood, and then grabbed one of the black feathers weaved into her hair and spat it on the ground... she was a survivor, and she wasn't about to be taken so easily. She knew they'd be found... she only hoped it wouldn't be too late.

Sure enough as the pre-dawn light started to filter over the horizon, a familiar silver furred female appeared at the ravine. She looked around slowly... listening... feeling. She caught sight of the blood glinting in the twilight. She picked up the feather and her ears flattened back. She couldn't go after them on her own, she knew that. So she turned and sprinted back to the village as quickly as she could.

"Feugen!" she barked as she entered his hut. He was sharpening one of his spears.

"What is it now?" he growled softly.

"Feugen they've been taken..." she said gently.

"Taken?... by who? Their own people?..." he muttered and shook his head "so what? They'll go home and*"

Silver stormed right up to him, yanked the spear out of his hand and slapped him... hard. The panther looked up at her in shock. "Don't..." she growled firmly "Don't you DARE let your pride get in the way now. I know how you feel about her and you know how I feel about Iris! We don't have TIME for this bullshit!"

Feugen stared at her and opened his maw to argue and the bitch actually raised her hand again to give him another lesson. He closed his maw slowly and he said quietly "alright..." He grabbed his belt and strapped two knives to it saying "lead the way." Silver nodded and hurried off. She stopped by her own hut just long enough to grab her quiver and bow and then they were running up one of the ramps to get into the trees and headed down the hills, picking up the trail near the ravine. They had a lot of ground to make up, but they weren't about to give up.

River and Iris were marched along until the trees thinned and they were able to use horses again. River was saddled onto one with her wrists bound and Iris was made to walk along behind them. The vixen looked back at her loving friend with sorrow in her eyes. She didn't want to go back... not yet. And she feared what Father would do to them. She knew he had no problems punishing and hurting Iris, and after what she heard Bane speak of with their betrothal she feared he may marry them on the spot just to spite her.

They marched all day through the open fields and only stopped to set up camp when it became dark again. Iris was absolutely exhausted and her feet were bloodied and raw. Once freed River immediately climbed down and grabbed a skin of water as Iris collapsed to the ground. She cradled the wolfess' head and helped her drink, whispering softly "I'm so sorry Iris..."

Iris shook her head and said gently "it doesn't matter." She panted softly and looked up at River with tired eyes "no matter what happens... you have to stay safe."

River blinked and looked confused. What was she talking about? She opened her maw to ask but Bane grabbed her and hauled her up and away from her Guardian. "Alright that's enough of that. No need to waste water on that freak" he growled with a laugh.

"She's not a freak!" River growled at him as he shoved her to sit near the fire. He sat down beside her and pulled out a bottle of ale.

"Want a drink?" he asked with a smirk. She turned away and ignored him. He took a swig himself and then looked over at Iris as she managed to wriggle herself into sitting up only to be kicked over onto her side again by another of his men. He chuckled but as he saw one of his men looking at her with a gleam in his eye he laughed and called out "don't bother. She doesn't have what you want under that wrap!" The male walked over and nudged it up with a foot and then backed off quickly as Bane laughed again.

"Leave her alone!" River growled. She rounded on Bane "why are you doing this?! Do you have any idea how far we made it with the tribals over the last few days?"

Bane laughed and spit out some of his ale, wiping his maw on his sleeve. "The savages?" he laughed again "You really think you can make peace with a bunch of backwards animals who don't know the difference between dung and gold!" River absolutely lost it. With a snarl she launched herself at the wolf, biting and clawing at his face.

"SHUT UP SHUT UP! YOU BASTARD!!" Bane yelped and growled before shoving her off of him. He sat up and then slapped her hard, knocking her to the ground.

"BITCH!" he growled "I swear as soon as we're married I will teach you your fucking PLACE."

"Don't... touch her..." Iris growled darkly, stumbling up to her feet. Even with her arms behind her back she was a rather imposing sight. Bane looked up towards her and then chuckled.

"Or what?" he asked, taking another drink "going to beat me up again?"

"If I have to..." Iris growled.

Bane stepped over towards her and narrowed his eyes. "You got a pretty big mouth for a tied up bitch you know that?"

"And you got a tiny prick for someone who likes to threaten women a lot..." Iris growled right back.

"Wanna see it up close?" Bane shot back.

"Sure I'll take a little nibble... might need a lens to see it..." she snarled. Bane chuckled and then turned away again and suddenly swung but Iris was ready. She ducked the blow and kneed the male in the stomach hard. As he doubled over she caught him in the jaw and he fell back. A moment later she was rearing back to stomp on his throat when one of the other males tackled her over.

"Hold her down!" Bane growled as he sat up with a cough. Another male joined in and held Iris down on her front. He walked over and glared down at her before kicking her hard in the stomach. She yelped but they didn't let her go, even as he kicked her again and again. The last hit her in the face and her nose erupted with blood that splattered the dirt at the edge of the fire's glow.

"Stop it Bane!" River shouted at him.

"Why should I huh?" he growled back and kicked her again "this bitch needs to learn her place same as you do. You gonna offer me something? Hmmm?" He kicked her again and Iris wheezed, trying to get her hands free but they had used heavy rope. Bane wasn't stupid... he knew about her strength. He looked back at River and snarled "c'mon you're a negotiator... make me an offer." He reared his leg back and kicked her again, this time on her chest.

"STOP IT!" River screamed at him.

"Y'Know... she may not actually be a bitch..." Bane growled as he started to undo his belt and move behind Iris "but there's more then one way to stick a pig..." Iris' eyes flew open as he lifted up her waistwrap. She began struggling like a wild animal and managed to kick the wolf in the stomach before another male raised her head up and slammed it down, striking a rock in the dirt. She went limp as blood pooled through her hair, leaving her dizzy. "Wake her up!" Bane growled "I want her to feel this..." The male slapped her and Iris started to struggle again, not caring if they hurt her more. She wouldn't let him... she couldn't... he couldn't! She'd tear his throat out! "Should've just held still like a good bitch..." Bane growled. He shifted himself and then yelped as he fell back. River had grabbed a stick from the fire and struck one of his men in the face. The male fell back with a cry as his fur singed near his eye and caught fire.

"I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE!" River shrieked at Bane, swinging at him again and again. Bane backed up trying to escape the blows but one caught his hand. He yelped as the embers burned at him and then yowled in pain as she struck him in the face, right on the eye. He howled and writhed on the ground, clutching his face and River dropped the stick and backed up. In her fit of rage she realized... that may have been a mistake. The wolf snarled like a feral and then rounded on her suddenly. He lowered his paw slowly and revealed the wound. The flesh around his eye was swollen and burned... ugly... and his eye... his eye was a milky white... "Bane..." River breathed out and then he struck. He swung his claws right for her face, aiming for her eye in a fit of fury. Blood exploded from her face as she fell back and landed next to the fire.

The vixen didn't even scream. All she saw was red... her body seized as she immediately went into shock, blood pouring from the wounds. Iris' eyes widened and she struggled more and more but they wouldn't let her up. Bane was panting heavily now, glaring down at River as she convulsed on the ground. He looked around at the others and growled softly "the savages did it. Bandage her face... and get me another FUCKING ALE!" He stormed back towards his tent and flopped down with an angry growl, taking another drink. The men spread out and one tended to his wounds while another worked on River. She didn't move... she barely breathed. He poured some of the ale over her face to "clean" the wounds and the blood and then slapped a few rags over her eye and left her there. Iris was finally released and she managed to wriggle her way over to the vixen, staring down at her with tears in her eyes.

"R... River?" she whispered softly "B... Baby girl can you hear me?... please..." She leaned down and licked her uninured cheek gently, trying to get a response out of her. But the vixen didn't even blink. She just stared blankly at the sky with wide horrified eyes. Iris' own welled with ears as she lay down and curled around her precious Princess. She didn't sleep, but she rested as best as she could. She could only pray...

As twilight came and the light raised up over the encampment River woke with a whimper. She squirmed and tried to open her eyes but saw only darkness from one. "I... Iris?" she whined fearfully. Iris sat up quickly and looked down at her, her face still swollen.

"It's okay... it's okay baby..." she whispered. River reached up towards her face and Iris stopped her "Don't.... not yet sweetie..." River sank back again and looked up at her and started to sob softly.

"Iris I'm scared..." she whined "I don't want to go back... not with him... I want... I want to go back to the forest... Please can we go back to the forest?..."

"I..." Iris started to say. Her heart was breaking. She wanted so desperately to just pick her up and carry her home... back to the tribe where they felt safe... But she could barely stand. She looked up as Bane grunted and woke up. "Shhh baby shhh don't talk..." she said quickly and lay her head back down. River stiffened immediately... knowing who it was.

"Ffffucking BITCH!" Bane growled as he touched his face. He stumbled off and grabbed a rag, staggering off through the field to look for a place to piss.

"I... Iris we can't... we can't go back..." she whispered looking at her "I can't be married to him... I... I'll kill myself..."

"Get them up!" they heard Bane bark from the distance. One of the males sat up with a groan, grumbling to himself as he started over towards them.

"Iris... Iris no... no don't... don't let them take us! PLEASE!" She sobbed but Iris couldn't protest. She was too weak, too beaten. She looked up at the male with a defiant glare and he just laughed and shoved her off of River. He reached down to pick her up and then she stiffened as a shadow passed over them. The male blinked and he looked up in the barely lit sky, trying to find the source. River trembled and looked up wildly... praying.

As the male turned to drag her towards the horses he froze. Silver was squatted among the other sleeping males, slowly and silently removing a blade from another's throat. The male holding River opened his maw to call for Bane when he was slammed to the ground. There was a snap as he hit the dirt, Feugen's foot on the back of his neck. River stared at him in disbelief that he was actually right there in front of her. He turned and looked at her and saw the bandages on her face. She let out a soft sob and just buried her face against his chest as he hugged her. "I'm sorry..." he whispered softly to her but she just sobbed even harder.

Silver rushed to Iris' side and crouched beside her, freeing her hands quickly. She touched her face so tenderly "a... are you okay?..." She had glimpsed their ordeal... but she hadn't realized it was this bad.

"I am now..." Iris said quietly, kissing her hand "Please... c... can we go back?..."

"Yes" Feugen answered for her "where is the last one?"

"He went off to take a piss... I don't know... he probably ran off by now..." Iris replied, carefully standing up with Silver's help.

"I'll get him" Feugen growled and started to spread his wings.

"No!" River sobbed, clinging to him "P... Please... don't leave me..." Feugen blinked and looked at Feugen, shaking her head. The panther nodded but he scooped River up carefully in his arms and set her on one of the horses. He swung up behind her and started off for home as Iris and Silver followed. River stayed in Feugen's lap the entire way back. She just curled up in his hold... she never should've left... she just wanted to forget it all and curl up in his scent until the memories faded.

The journey was a blur. They re-tended River's wounds but the damage had been done. Between the poor cleaning job and ratty bandages that had been used she would be scarred and they all knew it. She had refused to open her eye, afraid to be seen with an ugly scarred eye just as she'd given to Bane. Iris was better off but still very sore, though with Silver's tender touch and a few herbs she was at least in less pain.

When they finally arrived back at the tribe River was saddened to see it seemed they were preparing for a fight. Warriors were sharping their weapons, readying makeshift shields, crafting arrows and checking their bowstrings. She turned away from the sight of it and let Feugen take her to his hut. He laid her down gently on a bed of furs and then turned to go but she caught his hand. He blinked and he turned back tilting his head. "I'm sorry..." she whispered softly. He started to shake his head and she said "I'm sorry I left when you told me to... I'm sorry I got scared. I shouldn't have... I should've stayed." Feugen slowly sat down next to her on the bed and she swallowed and said "My father rules. I cannot change that... but I promise you this." She took his hand in both of her's and looked him right in the eyes whispering "I will do whatever I can so that our people can find peace... I love this forest. And I am so very grateful for the time I've gotten to spend hear. You have a beautiful home, and a beautiful people, and I will cherish these moments forever..." Tears rolled down her cheek as she spoke. She wanted, needed him to know how much this meant to her.

He gazed at her for a long time and then he lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them gently. He was quiet for a long moment and then said "we will talk. When the time is right we will talk and figure something out. For now, rest." She nodded and he slowly stood up and said "I'll check on Iris for you."

"Thank you..." she whispered gently. As he headed for the door she bit her lip and called out "Feugen?...." He paused and he turned back. She hesitated for a long moment and then shook her head "nevermind..." She lay back slowly and grabbed one of the furs, pulling it over herself and curling up to sleep. Feugen slipped out and headed down for Silver's hut.

As he arrived he tapped lightly on the frame and Silver eased it back. She gave him a small smile and let him look in to see Iris sleeping peacefully. Her face was still bruised up quite badly but she looked restful at least. "She'll be okay..." she said quietly "physically at least. She..." her voice caught and she swallowed and looked at him. "The one that got away... he tried to have her... that's what sent everything over the edge."

Feugen winced and he growled softly "and they call us savages..."

"Feugen..." Silver whispered "they won't let them stay. This is the King's daughter... they'll come for her."

"I know" he replied "if we fight there will be war... if they stay there will be war..." He looked at her and said "how... how can we make peace? We can't just let them keep taking land from us..."

"I know but..." Silver whispered "maybe... one more sacrifice... would be enough to stop all of this..." She held up her hand before he could protest "just... think about it? We do have enough. And the people will respect your decision no matter what. We can always stop the bloodshed now... and negotiate for our land back using the Obsidian."

Feugen was quiet for a moment but he nodded and said "I'll think about it..."

"Thank you..." Silver said softly "and Feugen... there's... something else..."

"What is it?" he asked. She leaned in close and whispered softly to his ear. After several moments she eased back and then turned to rejoin Iris. Feugen was quiet for a long moment before he simply turned and left. He had a lot to think about.

Over the next few days Iris recovered and River did as well but much, much slower. Iris spent most of her time with Silver though they would often go and spend time alone in the forest, trying to listen to the magic in the air, the whispers, to sort a way out of this problem.

Feugen visited River again one afternoon and found her restlessly checking a hand mirror over and over again. He blinked and he stepped in asking "what is it?"

She jumped and quickly tucked the mirror away again "N... Nothing! I just... it's nothing..." She glanced at him and then away again but she sighed as he came in and sat down, waiting for her to spill. She bit her lip and then said softly "I... I can take the bandages off but..." she looked up at him "I'm scared..."

He blinked but he tilted his head and said gently "Scared of what?"

She looked down again, playing with the mirror in her hands "finding out the truth... that I'm ugly..."

Feugen blinked in surprise and he hesitated. He slowly reached out and took the mirror away from her, setting it aside. She looked up at him and trembled with her ears folded back. She looked so scared... like a doe frozen before a hunter. But he was so slow... and gentle. He reached up and gently brushed her hair back first, tucking it back behind her ear and exposing the bandages over her face. He grabbed a soft silk rag and dipped it in water before slowly peeling back the bandages. She winced a little and shivered as the air hit the fresh scars. It felt so cold... but he cleaned her face very gently and then said softly "open your eye."

"I..." she started to say but he lifted his finger to her lips. He eased closer and looked right at her.

"Open your eye..." he said again. She shook horribly but she finally let her eyelid lift. She winced as the light seemed so bright but seeing light instead of darkness she opened it further and blinked a few times. It was there... just as lovely as always. The claw marks had raked her eyelid... but weren't quite deep enough to get her eye. She looked at him and tears immediately welled. He wrapped his arms around her and just hugged her gently, whispering softly "you're beautiful River..."

Her cheeks flushed hearing those words and she eased back, biting her lip "you really think so?"

He nodded and said "I do. See for yourself" He grabbed the mirror again and held it up for her. She hesitated but finally looked at herself.

A soft gasp escaped her at first. She started to tremble but she took a slow breath. She had scars, long and jagged from her skin tearing under Bane's nails. They ran above her eye, down over it, and all the way down to her chin. She felt... hideous. But as she looked at Feugen and saw the way he looked at her... that feeling melted away.

"Thank you Feugen..." she whispered gently, biting her lip "I know... I haven't made things easy for you or your people. But I still hold hope that we can find*"

"I've withdrawn the villages near where you described" Feugen said quietly.

"You..." she blinked in surprise "you what?..." she sounded bewildered. "But... but those are your lands you..."

"I don't want this to continue" he said quietly "And I want to be known as the Chief who conceded first. I will leave those lands and stop the bloodshed... and perhaps in the future... I can buy some of them back with the Obsidian. But for now... I just want the fighting to stop. I don't want your father to keep sending people to retrieve you. I want peace between us."

She blinked and she stared at him and her ears slowly drew back. She reached out slowly and touched his hand "and does that mean that... the negotiations would be over?... for now?..." She knew that would likely mean she would have to return. She would have to face her father, face Bane. She would do so as long as it was on her terms but she had hoped...

"Not yet..." Feugen said quietly "there is one condition of these terms. One that you yourself can accept or decline."

"Wh.. What is it?" she asked "whatever it is I'll do it! You're giving such a tremendous sacrifice I... I'll do anything Feugen." She sat forward some, waiting for his answer.

"Silver told me of a tradition of your people when two kingdoms desire peace or unity" he said quietly. River blinked and was puzzled at first and then flushed as she started to understand. "Few things are more important to our people then bloodlines. To me especially..." he continued. River swallowed as he confirmed what she suspected. "My condition... is that you sire a child for me..." he finished quietly.

River stared at him, her face beat red as she processed what he'd just said. She looked down for a moment and seemed to be thinking and then asked softly "you want a child from me?..."

"I do..." he said quietly "I want to know that my bloodline will be protected within your Kingdom itself... raised as Royalty... and that our people would have a future together. Even if it's not as soon as I would like."

She blushed and looked out the window. If she came home with a baby... her father would be even more furious. But once it was born... he couldn't do anything about it. It would be of royal blood. Her blood... The law would demand she raise it as royalty. He'd be trapped. She looked back at him and said quietly "is your bloodline the only reason you want this?"

He didn't hesitate to answer the question "no..." he said softly. She blinked in surprise at how quickly and confidently he responded. "I want it for peace between us... and I want..." he blushed some himself and said "I want you..." River blushed even deeper and glanced away. He wasn't a dishonest person... he wouldn't say this just to get what he wanted... she knew that. She was quiet for a long while and finally swallowed.

"I have to think about it..." she said softly. Feugen's face fell but she looked at him "you wouldn't be there... you're asking me to raise our child mostly on my own... I don't know what... what would happen when my father found out. I just... I have to think about it..."

"I understand" he said gently and nodded, starting to get up.

"Feugen..." River said quietly. He turned back and she bit her lip "if we weren't so different... would you... would you consider taking me as a mate?" She needed to know. Wanted to know how he really felt.

Feugen grinned at her and said "If you were one of my people?... I already would have..." With that he turned and left her sitting there blushing furiously again. She flopped back onto her pile of furs and grabbed one to scream into out of pure frustration and emotion. They were so different, they lived in different worlds and neither could live in the other's without causing more trouble for everyone. Yet what was a price worth paying for love? She could give up her palace, her father, she could give that up... but her people? And what about the tribe? Her father would be furious if she tried to stay. He would attack... she couldn't do that to them. But this... this would be something not even her father could touch. A baby, pure and innocent, of royal blood from two houses. A promise for the future that the two people could unite for future generations. She suddenly flushed and bit her lip sharply, remembering that first day they met. The intensity of the moment... and she wondered what it would be like... to be bred by a Tribal Chief.