“Believe, like I do . . .You won’t hurt anybody you don’t mean to. You’re the motherfucking Orchid. Now go kick some ass for me, Pen.”

“How long has it been since you’ve been human?” “Don’t remember,” he said. “A couple months, maybe.” Pen frowned. “And you just . . . live as a lion?” “Mostly.” He angled her a smirking smile, then dipped it toward her breasts. “I shift for various reasons.” “Other lions not doing it for you?” “Wouldn’t know. I haven’t found any.” With another curse, he kicked at the heavy piece of asphalt that had grabbed his toe. He shifted his pack higher on his shoulder. “Just walk.” “Quite the seduction you’ve got going on. I don’t know how I’ll stand the anticipation.”

“Tru only matched his grin and walked on. Pen caught up with him, tugging on his arm. “What is it?” “I took a walk yesterday when you were working.” “A walk.” “Yup.” “Had you shifted?” “Yes, I had.” Pen caught his humor, although she couldn’t understand its origins. “And?” “I may have used their freshwater reserves as a latrine. And then encouraged the other skinwalkers to do the same.” She giggled like a little girl being told a dirty joke. “That’s remarkably crude.” “I like to think of it as clever and resourceful.” “That, too.”

“How can you be so optimistic about the whole damn world but not about yourself?” “My magic, you mean.” “Your neck, Pen.” She drew her head back as if he’d just shouted. His words struck her that forcefully. “My . . . ?” “I adore your neck. And your eyes. Do you know how long it’s been since I thought the word ‘indigo’? Maybe when I read it in a poem, years ago. But that’s the color you use to stare at me.” Heat shivered up her spine, along the tops of her breasts and across her cheeks. Never. Not ever had she imagined such a treasure. So shocked, she said the first thing that came into her head. Pure instinct. “Yours are like a clear piece of glass with the sky behind it.” He grinned lazily. “Is that what you think? Well, feel free to continue.”

“He dipped close for a swift, sweet kiss. Pen soaked up every beautiful sensation, as well as how her heart eased its nervous twitch. She beat more steadily now.”

“I gave you my all, love. I did, I did.”

“Are you sure about this? The lion wondered. We could have six females to serve us. Less work. Tru stifled a laugh. That’s what you think.”