Even as he thought about it, Black Skull emerged out of the night and entered the clan house. He had to stoop to get his huge shoulders through the doorway. Four Kills could believe he was the most dangerous man alive. I wouldn’t want to face him.
Red Moccasins appeared at Four Kills’ elbow, a hollow longing in her eyes. She slipped an arm around his waist, clutching to him the way she would to a log in floodwaters.
“It’s all right,” Four Kills said gently. “He isn’t ready to talk to you. Not yet. The wound is too fresh.”
In the shadowed firelight, she closed her eyes, her head bowed as the silken black hair spilled forward. Even in her pain, her beauty stunned him. For a moment, Four Kills had to remind himself that she had chosen him, not Otter. This magnificent woman was his wife … his alone.
And at the thought, regret grew again.
She shook her head. “He’s … Oh, Four Kills, I knew it would happen.”
“He loves you.”
She took a deep breath and nodded.
“And you still love him,” Four Kills added, shifting his gaze to-the fire, where people crowded around with their bowls. The feasting had begun, celebrating the arrival of the Clan Elders and Green Spider. Despite the misgivings that gnawed at his soul, he would force himself to be happy. And at what price?
Otter, the Black Skull, and Green Spider would leave in the morning, bearing themselves off into the unknown. And if they never returned … “He’s hurt, Four Kills. I didn’t know how much until now.
He asked me if I— I would have gone with him. No, that’s not right. I wanted to. I wanted to have him … one last time.”
Four Kills steeled himself, forcing calm into his voice. “I know. It’s all right. He’s my brother. Take my blanket, and the two of you can—”
“No.” She looked up at him, her dark eyes gleaming. “He pushed me away. He said that you would understand if we did.
And that’s why he couldn’t … maybe because he loves you so much.”
And now I love him even more.
Four Kills hugged her tightly to him, closing his eyes as he savored the feeling of her body pressed against his. “He’ll survive this. We all will. He needs time. So do we.”
Despite himself, Four Kills looked back at Grandmother’s house. There, inside, Green Spider waited with Black Skull as his guard. For what? When would the Contrary come out to feast? After all, this was his doing.
Grandmother had evacuated the house—the ultimate honor to visiting guests. She’d moved herself into Blue Jar’s house, giving her dwelling and possessions over to the use of the Clan Elders, their warriors, and the Contrary.
For long moments, Four Kills studied the house in the firelight.
Everything had gone wrong, like the earth shifting beneath his feet. Did the answer lie there, with Green Spider? Had the Contrary seen something in his Vision? Of all the Traders, why had he come after Otter?
“What is it?” Red Moccasins watched him soberly.
“Nothing. I … ” He hugged her one last time. “Are you all right? Can you spare me for a while?”
She gave him that probing look. “Leave Otter alone. He doesn’t need any more complications.”
“I’m not going after Otter. Get yourself a bowl. The food’s hot and the night’s cold. Better enjoy the stew while it lasts. I’ll be back.” He kissed her on the head and bent down to retrieve one of the wooden bowls.
“Where are you going?”
“To take Green Spider a bowl of stew. You know, just being hospitable.”
“You mean you don’t think he’s ever coming out? To get his own food?”
“I don’t know, but this way, he will understand that we care.”
“Four Kills, don’t you dare do anything that—”
“Shhh! Trust me.” Because I’m going to find out what Green Spider knows if it gets my neck broken!
He dipped a helping from one of the boiling pots and threaded his way through the clusters of people until he reached the doorway of the clan house. Grandmother sat cocooned in layers of blanket as she talked to the four Clan Elders. Four Kills could feel her anxious gaze.
“May I help?” Old Man Sun had risen to his feet, the effort accompanied by the muffled crackling of bones and joints.
“I brought food for Green Spider. A plate of stew. Since his arrival, I haven’t seen him eat anything. It wouldn’t do for him to think that the White Shell Clan was miserly.”
Old Man Sun smiled graciously. “Your thoughtfulness is most welcome, son of Blue Jar. I am sure that Green Spider will appreciate your gesture of hospitality and friendship. I will take the bowl in to him with your warm wishes for his comfort.”