Epilogue

The feasting and celebration in the lodges of the Turtle Clan lasted through the night. It was well past dawn, and Night Warrior sat with Kangee cradled close to him. Across from them, Conrad held his wife. Eagle Woman was pale and weak, but alive, as were her unborn sons.

Night Warrior studied Skye as she slept in in her mother’s lap. He’d never forget how the little girl had shifted into a rat. He sensed great power in the child.

“What are you thinking?

“I’ve said it before, thehila. Your family scares me.” He pointed across to where her uncle had shifted into a beast Kangee called a horse and was giving the children rides. He shook his head. “Think I’ll ever be able to do that?”

She giggled. “These are your people now, my husband.” Chief Two Arrows had married them just as the sun streaked the sky with rosy ribbons of color.

A loud, bellowing voice broke through the celebrating village. “Conrad, tell these young fools that I am welcome here!”

Kangee jumped to her feet. “It’s Uncle Albert.”

Night Warrior followed her to where a mountain-sized trapper was trying to get past the warriors guarding the village. He smiled as the big man greeted his family.

Off to one side, he noted that Tatonga, her brother, and their warriors were preparing to leave. He still worried about the possibility of war. Torn between wanting to go to her, to try one last time to make their parting peaceful, he frowned.

Tatonga was staring at Kangee’s family with what looked like shock and disbelief on her face. Her jaw hung open, and she grinned widely, looking happier than he’d ever seen her.

As sudden as it came, the smile faded, replaced by anger, accented by her stomping steps as she stormed toward the family. Afraid she planned to cause more trouble with Kangee, he hurried after his wife.

Tatonga shoved her way through Kangee’s family, past Kangee, not stopping until she reached the newly arrived Albert.

Albert stepped back from greeting Conrad and saw the woman. He looked stunned, then happy, then worried when Tatonga began lashing out at him.

“You promised to return,” she shouted. Everyone around her fell into a hushed silence. “No more leaving. You stay. With me. With your family!” Tatonga shoved her hands onto her hips and switched to speaking halted French.

Night Warrior leaned close to Kangee. “What is going on?” It was clear that the two knew each other.

Kangee hugged his arm to her and chuckled. “I think my uncle just met his match. We should go find your chief and warn him that he will have another wedding to perform.”

“A wedding? I don’t understand.” Glancing at everyone, he saw amusement and laughter. Except for Albert who looked as though he’d been knocked flat by a giant bear.

Conrad was now doing the talking. Then it was back to Tatonga, who, by her gestures, wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“I guess I need to learn French as well as how to shift shape,” he muttered.

Kangee took pity on him. “It appears the girl and my uncle have long been lovers. For years.” She shook her head. “The woman you were to marry carries my uncle’s child. That is why she was desperate to marry. She wanted a father for her child.” She giggled. “Looks like she’s going to get her wish.”

Night Warrior could only nod as Albert swung Tatonga up into his arms and whirled around as he shouted out that he was going to become a father. Night Warrior grinned and knew he’d react just like that. “Your uncle is a happy and lucky man.”

Kangee pulled him back toward the village. “Family is very important to Uncle Albert,” she said sadly.

“Why so sad?”

“He’ll have to be told about Uncle William and how he tried to kill my father and my brother. It is because of Uncle William that we nearly lost my mother.”

Night Warrior pulled her close. “Your uncle will accept the truth. He has you and the rest of his family, and it looks like he now has a strong woman to share his grief. And a new life.”

Kangee stepped in front of him and put her arms around his neck. “And Tatonga gets her mate. Just as I have mine. My SpiritMate.” She rose up onto her toes and kissed him, long and hard, then pulled back when he sighed. “What’s wrong?”

“There is one thing I must do. Will you come with me?”

Seeing the sorrow and pain in his eyes, Kangee understood. She leaned into him and closed her eyes. She felt his light touch in her mind and, with an ease that surprised her, fell into his dream world.

Opening her eyes, she stood once more on a soft, grassy mat still covered with pink flowers. Birds flew and sang. Water flowed and splashed into the pond. It was every bit as beautiful as the previous times.

She is here?

Yes. Night Warrior turned her in his arms.

Kangee spotted the young woman, barely past girlhood. She looked real, as real as her and Night Warrior, and Kangee wondered if she’d come near.

The girl took a few steps, then stopped and held out her arm.

An owl flew into their dream world and landed on the girls arm, then hopped up onto her shoulder. She smiled, looking happy and at peace. She lifted her hands and waved. The rosy petals at their feet shifted and whirled gently as though a gust of wind twirled around them.

Surrounded by the petals, Night Warrior and Kangee watched the girl walk away with the owl on her shoulder.

Night Warrior sighed. She is happy and at peace.

What about you?

I am as well. Now I’m taking you somewhere far from here, where we can be alone. There are too many people in my lodge.

I would like that, my Dream Warrior. I love you.”

Night Warrior pulled her close, nuzzled his check against hers, wrapped his arms over hers, and held her tight, her back to his chest. As I love you. You came to me in my darkest hour. You are the Light of my Life. You saved me.

Kangee tipped her head back until she could see him. We saved each other. She reached up with one hand. Dreams do come true.

He groaned. Yes, they do, but can we not talk or think about dreams for a while?

She laughed. Take us home, Warrior of my heart.

In the space of a heartbeat, Kangee returned to awareness. The celebration went on around her and her mate as though they’d never left.

He scooped her into his arms. “We are going to find a place to be alone.” He quirked a brow. “Unless you’d rather stay?”

Giggling, she shook her head. “I want to be with you and only you.”

Leaning her head on his shoulder as he strode into the forest, she noted that her warrior was standing straighter, walking stronger. One day he’d be not just the warrior he used to be but much, much more than he ever imagined.

And her? She fingered her amulet. She’d never again be ashamed of dreaming, for dreams had given her the best gifts of all. She snuggled close and teased her husband with her own image of the perfect dreamscape and all the loving things she wanted to do to him. His indrawn breath and the tightening of his arms made her laugh, but when he sent his own image back, full of promised pleasure, she groaned.

“Better get us where you want us, warrior of the night. I want you.”

Night Warrior stopped. “Not as much as I want you. This will do. For now.” Then he lowered Kangee to the ground. “Show me what you want, and I’ll show you how I’ll do it.”

Soft laughter turned to groans of pleasure.

High above their heads, the old shaman took flight, leaving the couple to their autumn dreams.