I took the bowl, the heat from the ceramic seeping into my frozen fingers. The broth was rich with spice and meat, but that was it. There were no wild onions or extra ingredients, but I didn't complain.
After passing through such a cold night, I needed something this hot to feel better again.
As the first sip hit my stomach, I felt like I was being brought back to life from the inside out.
"And the cubs?" I asked, nodding toward the three little lumps of fur still snoozing near the fire. "Did she… touch them?"
"She washed the mud off Phina," Damar said, his voice regaining its usual melodic calm as he sat beside me, his thigh pressing against mine for warmth. "She was surprisingly gentle."
"Tita has a way with young ones, even if she treats adults like prey," Noah added, but I don't think that last part was necessary to be said.
