back," Eli tells Talia, "I'm just going to light some more torches."

Wildcat steps up to Talia, "Are you alright Dearest?"

Talia nods as she smiles weakly and sadly, "I'm fine."

"You didn't have to do it," Wildcat tells Talia. "I was going to talk around it, find an excuse. Besides, you're not well right now. That's reason enough."

Talia's eyes are sad as she takes Wildcat's face in her hands and kisses him. "I love you," she tells him as she pushes her finger through his salt n pepper hair.

Wildcat cups her face in one hand and touches her hair looking sadly at the platinum blond streaks, "I'm sorry I've pushed for you to be something you're not, to be someone you're not.. I thought I was doing what was best for you. But I was wrong. You're wonderful and perfect just the way you are. I'm sorry Dearest."

"Hush," Talia kisses him again, this time passionately, "There's nothing to be sorry for. Once we get home, I'll get some rest and I'll be good as new in no time. Now go make sure there's a comfortable place for me to sleep. Eli will see to my needs here. I'll try not to be long."

Wildcat nods his agreement. Talia is asking for some space and he gives it to her. He heads back down the tunnel to make sure she has a comfortable place to sleep.

Eli puts the torch he used to light the other torches back in its place by the opening of the tunnel. Then he removes his lion cloth and leggings. He steps back over to Talia, "Here," sliding his arm back around her, "Let me help you."

Talia holds onto his shoulder, leans onto him and lets him take her weight. They step slowly down into the pool. The water of this spring is hot, but not too hot.

"Stop here for a second," Eli tells Talia, "There's a little drop off here," he hops down and is waist deep in the hot spring water. Then he lowers Talia down. "We can sit over here," guiding her to a shelf of sandstone under the water. Talia sighs as she leans back against the wall.

"He loves you very much," comments Eli.

Talia nods her agreement, "I'm very blessed. Wildcat, Richy and Cougar are the best mates a woman could ever ask for. I love them very much." A tear runs down one of her cheeks.

"What about Chief Windwalker," inquires Eli, "I'm sure he loves you too."

"Humph," Talia turns her head to look at her wounded shoulder, "I just met him yesterday. His reasons for making himself one of my mates are completely selfish. He doesn't care for me."

With her face turned to look at her wound, Eli sees she's crying, "Please, don't cry." He lifts her chin with a finger, "I'm sorry." He licks the tears from her face. He licks down her neck to lick her wound. Then he licks back up her neck to her face to lick away more tears. And as he's licking away tears from her face, he accidentally brushes Talia's lips with his own.

Talia opens her eyes and looks into Eli's vibrant green eyes. He's trembling. He's never kissed a woman before. And Talia is a woman with three mates that haven't given him permission to do such a thing. Yet he can't stop himself from sampling her lips again and Talia cooperates. Eli makes love for the first time with Talia, licking tears from her face, licking her wounded shoulder, suckling her breasts as he thrust himself deep inside her.

Talia falls to sleep in Eli's arms after they've made love. He carries her out to Wildcat and Greywolf.

"Here," Wildcat extends his arms and Eli gingerly places Talia in his arms. He tucks Talia between himself and Greywolf. He kisses her forehead and so does Greywolf. They both snuggle in close to her.

"May I sleep here," asks Eli.

Greywolf shrugs and Wildcat answers, "Sure."

Eli grabs his furs and sets himself up over their heads. He lies down. Then he reaches out and touches Talia's hair.