But it was as the spirit Bird had sung to her— What must happen, must happen.
She breathed deeply. She hated having to tell White Bear about Wolf Paw. If he had been willing to come with her, she would not have had to say anything. Wolf Paw would not have tried to hold her. And if she gave birth a moon or two too soon, White Bear would have forgiven her. But now she had to use Wolf Paw to hurt White Bear.
To hurt him so as to heal him.
But when I am gone from here, who will heal me? Must the shaman suffer wounds that can never be healed?
Yes, if she has dealt such wounds.
"You would not want me anymore, White Bear," she said. "These past moons since you left us I have been Wolf Paw's woman."
He raised his tear-streaked face from the pillow and stared at her. "What are you saying?"
"Wolf Paw lost his wives and his children at the Bad Axe. He was like a dead man. I wanted to heal him, and I will heal him, by living with him."
His eyes widened. She could see anger darkening his cheeks.
He said, "After my father took me to live here, you waited six summers for me while Wolf Paw courted you. Could you not keep him off for a few moons?"