razorsedge by Lisanne Norman

Carrie was aware of Lijou calling Kaid forward.

"As the third in this Triad, Kaid Tallinu," Lijou said to him, "you have a responsibility to this cub. Since her parents are Leskas, should anything happen to them, it will fall to you to raise their daughter."

Kaid nodded briefly as Kusac handed Kashini to him. Cautiously, he accepted the small bundle.

"She'll be like a daughter to me," he said, holding her close for a moment before returning her to Carrie. As he did, he leaned toward her, one hand touching her neck as he placed his cheek against hers.

Startled, she moved back slightly before checking herself. For him to touch her neck was to admit publicly to a physical intimacy with her.

"It's part of the ceremony," Kaid murmured. "You need to do the same."

She returned the gesture, then, as he moved to her other side, she felt him retreat even farther behind his mental shields and cursed herself for inadvertently hurting him. Having their relationship announced so openly had taken her by surprise. It was too new for her to feel at ease with it yet.

     
    * * *
     
    After the ceremony, they left the Clans feasting and returned to the main house with a small number of guests and close family members for their own quieter celebrations.

Carrie settled herself in a large comfortable chair, Kusac standing beside her while their friends and guests came over to see the cub and exchange a few words with them. Kaid hovered nearby.

She was concerned about him. He'd been quiet and distant all morning, but since the incident at the ceremony, he'd retreated behind the barriers he'd had when they'd first met. Then she saw Lijou detach himself from Rhyasha and Konis and begin heading toward her. Passing Kaid, he stopped, and after addressing a few words to him, took him by the arm and brought him over, too.

"I've a small gift for the three of you," he said, looking from one to the other, mouth open in a grin. "Kha'Qwa found a reference to them in one of our ancient records and we had them made up to give to you today." Reaching into the pocket of his robe, he drew out a small wooden box which he opened before passing it to Carrie.

With her free hand, she took it from him. Nestling on a bed of black plush cloth lay three identical silver pendants. The motif was of three interlaced spirals, and in the center lay a small, blue-white faceted crystal.

"Lijou, they're lovely," she said. "Are the crystals from Stonghold?"

"From Vartra's Retreat to be exact," said Lijou. "Triad members exchanged them to show their commitment to each other, but we thought you wouldn't take them amiss as a gift from us."

Kusac bent down to see them more closely. "They are beautiful," he said, holding the box for his mate so she could pick one up.

As she held it up, the light from the main windows glinted through it, painting a rainbow across her face. "It even incorporates the spirit of the gateway," she murmured.

"The design is as it was described, even down to the number of facets on the crystals," said Lijou equally quietly.

Carrie held the pendant out to Kusac. "This one is yours," she said. Reaching into the box, she picked up the next one and held it out to Kaid. "And this, yours."

He reached out and, taking it from her, looped the chain around his hand. "My thanks to you and Kha'Qwa," he said, his voice barely audible as he watched Kusac put his own pendant on, then take Carrie's from her and fasten it round her neck.

"I'm glad our gift pleases you," said Lijou. "They can be worn as necklaces or set into the ear. We thought this way you could choose for yourselves."

"Thank you both, Lijou," said Carrie, fingering the tiny crystal. "You must have been very sure of our success."

"I knew the God had marked you all," he said. "And I know you. If it was possible for any mortals to succeed, then I knew it would be you."

"Thank you, Lijou," said Kusac. "You should have brought Kha'Qwa with you. Be sure to tell her how much we appreciate the