ELRETH

Fuck.

FUCK.

She'd never shifted in a conflict with a disformed before—it was something she and Aaryn had discussed many time, the living, breathing fear of being the target of someone's anger when they could swell into teeth and claws and use them against you.

Fuck.

As soon as she realized what she'd done, she shifted back and stepped away from the male. The urge was there to apologize, to try to reassure him. But he had come for her. He had attacked her. The Queen! No matter how much she hated the shift, she could not show weakness. She could not be seen to mitigate his offence.

When she moved back, he scrambled to his feet, trembling from head to toe, but utterly submissive as Aaryn rushed forward, snarling and pinned him against the wall.

"You would attack your Queen? You would lay hands on her?!

"

"I submit! I submit!

" the male cried.

"It was.. I didn't—

"

"There is no excuse, none!

" Aaryn's voice was rasping and haggard. He looked like he'd aged ten years in the past few hours. Elreth yearned to put a hand to his back, to reassure him, but a tiny part of her was still hamstrung by the memory of his lies, of everything he'd been hiding—was still hiding! She knew they hadn't yet gotten to the bottom of what the disformed were doing. But they couldn't just then.

He stood in her defense, and he was willing to take his own tribe-member down to do it.

Aaryn stared at the male, who didn't fight—looked like he might weep—and he growled.

"You lay hands on the Queen, you attack all of Anima,

" he snarled.

"You attack the Queen, you are named Trai—

"

"He will spend a month in the camps. He will miss his planned traverse, but that would have occurred anyway. He will have time to think on the discipline needed to be in service to the crown, but he will return and retake his place here,

" Elreth said quickly.

Aaryn, startled—to assault a Royal was a death sentence—but didn't speak.

Elreth sighed.

"I regret the need for that,

" she said tightly, trying to ignore the heaving breaths of all those around her, she turned and met as many eyes as she could.

"It was instinct. I do not shift to… I would not choose to use that against you. Against any of you. But you must understand… I cannot allow you different rules. Right now you are each part of a tribe, but soon we hope to make you one. Your Tribe will require all the discipline—and accountability—of the others. This is your warning. I know you are close-knit, more family than tribe. But you cannot expect to function differently than any other. Were a wolf, or an equine to launch at me in that manner, they would be punished severely—perhaps even named traitor if the blow landed. This is a mercy…

" she trailed off and caught Aaryn's gaze. She could see his gratitude that she'd decided not to allow him the name the male a traitor.

"This has been a difficult day,

" he said.

"But the Queen can be certain that no disformed expects leniency. We will live to the same standards of any tribe, and bring our skills to bear for the good of the Kingdom. For the good of the Crown,

" he said and bowed his head in submission.

Elreth looked at him flatly.

"We will see. This day has not bolstered my confidence. Figure out which of your people know the full story. We will meet this evening at my cave. I will hear everything—everything!—then.

" Then she turned to her brother.

"That means you.

"

Gar shrugged.

"No, Gar, there's no more room for juvenile posturing. We have reason to be concerned, and if we can established that we have dodged danger, then I will thank the Creator and we will established the Traverse Training as a formal part of education in the Tree City—you can be involved in that, or not, it will be up to you. But there will be no more secrets. There will be no more hidden plans or purposes. We all live and die together if we are not properly protected. So you will come to the cave tonight, and you will share what you know. Are we clear?

"

His eyes were flat, but he nodded.

Then she turned to the rest of them.

"You have seen us at our worst today—we are a family, just like you. My mate, my brother, we bring ourselves to the table, just as much as our positions. And there are many, many obstacles to overcome. But know this: No matter what, you are my people. I will do my best to protect you, and to bring you to your best. That truth remains. However… just as I would with any other tribe, if I learn of any plot that would weaken the Kingdom, any purpose that would bring danger to the whole, you will be punished to the fullest extent of my power. And I will not apologize for it.

"

They all nodded in submission and murmured their understanding, then she turned to Marryk and Hannah.

"You are a unique… question,

" she said carefully.

"We cannot risk Hannah becoming known to the Tree City—at least, not yet. So please, stay here for now. Let us discuss the situation this evening, and determine what our best course is. Please be patient, this is dangerous ground to navigate.

"

Marryk nodded and Hannah followed his lead, then Elreth asked her as kindly as she could,

"I know this has been a very difficult day, and a tiring one, but I would be interested to know… if you were able, if I were to make it possible, would you wish to stay in the Tree City?

"

There were several sharp intakes of breath around her and Elreth cursed under her breath.

"I am not making any guarantee. I do not know where this will take us. But before our discussions tonight, I wish to know your heart, your desire. You have been brought to this place you do not know. My mother was brought here—against her will—yet she chose to stay. If you had… options,

" she said with a glance at Gar,

"would you want to remain in the Tree City, or travel in search of others?

"

Hannah's throat bobbed, then she turned to Marryk.

"I… I would prefer to go wherever my mate thinks would be best. I… I don't know this place, or the people…

"

Elreth turned to Marryk. His eyes were shining, wide with hope and fear.

"I would… if Hannah could stay, I would prefer to be here, Sire. With my brothers and sisters,

" he said quietly, looking around at the people nearby.

She realized he meant the disformed, not the wider tribe.

"Very well. I do not know if that will be possible. But we will at least keep the idea in mind.

"

Then she signed to Aaryn 'need to get out of here,' and turned around again, nodding to the people as she moved through the cave.

"I will make sure that someone returns this evening, or first thing in the morning with news for you,

" she said quietly.

Then she walked out, Aaryn on her heels.