Dust kicked up under the shoes of a dozen giggling women as they escorted Aurora toward Reis' cave.
The scent of roasting meat and flowers still clung to her skin, a lingering ghost of the celebration that had roared through the tribe for hours.
The younger females crowded around her, their voices a melodic, chaotic swarm of whispers and muffled laughter. The air tasted of wet soil and ancient trees, the cooling night breeze cutting through the humid heat of the jungle canopy.
"Do you think he'll be gentle, Lady Aurora?" one of the younger girls chirped, her eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and mischief.
"Young Lord Reis is all about gentleness and sweetness," another added, nudging the girl with an elbow. "I bet he's the rare cuddling type."
That had everyone chuckling.
"Lady Aurora, can you tell us if he looks the same under the hides as he does in the sunlight?" Another one whispered loud enough for everyone to hear and immediately got a glare from Briana.
