When he learned of his guests, he hurried to his tepee, to find only Singing Wind there preparing wild vegetables for the stew for their evening meal. “It is good to see you, Singing Wind,” he murmured joyfully. “I am glad you came. We have much to decide. I am honored you accepted my joining claim, but I do not know why it took me so long to ask for you. There is no other female in our lands who stirs my heart and body as you do. I promise I will make you a good husband and lover. At last, I can be happy and whole again. Where are the others?” Singing Wind was touched, and distressed, by his words and mood. She wished he did not want her. She wished he would release her from his claim so she could go to his brother. How could she make him a good wife when she was the mate of another in her heart, and in her body? Why had he not come to her before Sun Cloud had revealed his desire, before she had learned what it was to have his brother, and hopefully his brother’s love? Bright Arrow was good and kind and virile and handsome; but he was not Sun Cloud.
