"I am not worthy of your forgiveness...or this unconditional acceptance of me back into the tribe, least of all your arms, after what I did."

Chief Long Knife wasn't great at speeches, preferring silence. In response to her honesty, he swept Dark Star and his sleeping son into his arms, pressing a tender kiss on her forehead before gently lowering them onto the furs.

Pulling a soft, thick gray fur over her shoulders, he slid under the fur beside her, pulling her ...