Page 282 of The Dryad Storm

“C’mon, cousin!” Li’ra calls to him from the tree line, where all his friends are gathering with eager anticipation. Ready to take that first Lupine run with him. The twins, Kendra and Edwin, look fair ready to burst out of their skin if he doesn’t launch into a wolfish streak through the woods with them soon.

Joy and love for his family and friends rushing inside him, Valen sweeps a shocked and delighted Fern into his arms and launches into a run toward the Forest.

His Forest.

Everyone’sForest.

The trees speed past in a blur, his friends laughing and boisterously calling out to him as they run by his side, the Xishlon moon shining down on them all asthey merge into the wilds. Into the magical, gloriously complex, blessedly still here Natural World.

It’s all out here, Valen’s blood sings with joy as he runs.

The Whole of Life.

Here and spread out like a loving banquet. Welcoming and ever waiting.

For all of us.