AARYN

He didn't open his eyes when he first returned from sleep. He hadn't actually fallen asleep until dawn. But even as tired as he was, the moment he became aware of the world again, he winced with the sick dread coating the inside of his chest.

His mother was sick again. He'd listened to her cry for hours. And he'd had to stay away from Elreth last night.

Sighing, he stretched to try to shift the weight on his chest, then opened his eyes. Then he saw how bright the light was outside.

Holy shit! He was late for the meeting with the elders!

Tugging on leathers and a clean shirt, he ran down the stairs as quietly as he could, but his mother wasn't on the couch after all—so he ran back up and crept into her room. Only to find her bed there wrinkled, but empty.

Where had she gone?

His first response was abject terror—something had happened. She'd gone out in her night-shirt and… he didn't even want to think about it. The way she'd been talking the night before…

But no…

He should be hopeful. Maybe it wasn't as bad as he'd thought. His mother had suffered a blow and taken to her bed for a day, but here they were the next morning and she was apparently on her feet and outside the house. It was an answer to his prayers.

He was torn. Unable to believe that she had simply shrugged off the deep melancholy she'd had the night before—he'd listened to her sob and whimper for hours. But then again…

Forcing away the worry and doubt, he scribbled a note for her, reminding her of the elder's meeting and assuring her he'd return with lunch for her in a few hours. He resolved to ask anyone he saw on the trails if they had seen her at breakfast, or in the Tree City today. Then he ran out the door.

He met only three people on the trails to the back of the security building, but none of them had seen his mother. He reminded himself that she thought he'd gone with Elreth the night before, and she'd told him to report back when the meeting was done.

She was probably getting breakfast now and would be waiting for him when he returned.

He pleaded with the Creator that that would be the case, and raced along the trails.

He was in such a hurry, he pushed the door open to the building too quickly and several of the elders whipped their heads around, expecting an intruder.

Elreth's eyes lit up at the sight of him and his heart melted, but her expression didn't change. She sat, hands on her knees, answering the questions being thrown at her—and as soon as he paid attention, he could scent the tension in the room. It was thick, and getting thicker.

This was not good.

"The male of the hour," commented Lhern dryly.

Aaryn shot a questioning look at Elreth, who nodded. Yes, she'd already told them.

"I apologize for being late," he said quietly, ducking his head in submission to the elders. "My mother is sick. It is not a measure of my desire to be here, or my commitment to Elreth."

Elreth smiled, though it was tight, and opened a hand towards the chair next to her. As they all silently watched him crossed the floor towards her, their eyes locked and his stomach clenched.

He wanted to touch her. Needed to. He wasn't centered for this conversation as he should be. But he was aware of all the eyes on them, the tension and aggression in the room, and his own need to demonstrate his strength to face what was to come. He would not waver.

As he settled himself into the chair, Elreth turned back to the elders. Aaryn forced himself to relax his shoulders and watch on with interest, not aggression.

"I'm sorry, I forgot the question. What was it?" Elreth asked, her tone clipped.

"I asked whether we should expect this constant stepping outside of tradition for the duration of your rule? Is this the ruler you intend to be?"

Anger flared in Aaryn's chest, but he kept himself still, waiting for Elreth to answer. He stared murder at the female who'd asked the question, though. She was older even than Lhern, and one of the Birds who had always looked down her nose at him. He couldn't remember her name, but he knew her face.

It disgusted him that Anima like her were in a position to make decisions that affected the whole tribe.

Elreth must have scented his anger, because her hand appeared on his arm, subtly squeezing as she answered the female.

"I recognize that my rule has begun with a great deal of change," she said. The female snorted and Elreth's eyes flashed, but she didn't give in. "The very fact that I am a female dominant is a change for the Anima. From that perspective, yes, I think you can expect there to be a great deal of change. I will not rule as a male would—and there are not traditions attached to my roles in our society. So we will have to make them up as we go along, or mimic those used for the males. Either way, there will still be change. I would suggest you do prepare yourself for it."

The female narrowed her eyes. "Do you not even consider attempting to conform to the traditions?" she asked, her nose pinched as if she smelled a stink.

"I don't see how I possibly can," Elreth said through her teeth. "There are, as I said, no traditions for a female dominant."

"But if you plan to mate, your husband will be King, will he not?"

"King, certainly, but not dominant," Elreth said firmly. "The rule is mine—just as my father ruled over my mother, I will rule over my mate."

"I suppose if your mate is disformed, that's for the best," the woman sniffed.

Rage exploded in his chest.

But before Aaryn could speak, Elreth snarled, "What did you say?"

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