READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you, Khimberlhe, Tamashii, and Kathy_Prewitt for suggesting the names Holden, Wulfgar, and Kylan. I hope you like the way they've been used. And as for PbMamaRae, DespinaNY, and Cassie_Dawn_Sallaz… Well, you'll see. Thank you, sincerely, for ALL your support. This was the best way I knew to recognize you. Enjoy!

*****

AARYN

Aaryn stalked up the trail and through the trees towards the training grounds, followed by his friends—all talking quietly and speculating about how this session would go.

They'd each been waiting for a chance to show their worth, to prove to the Queen that they were capable and loyal. And now, finally, that moment had arrived.

Nerves ran high.

"Will the Queen be there?

" Raichyl popped up beside Aaryn on the trail in the impossible way she had when a moment ago she'd been at the back of the line. He hadn't heard her coming. He looked down at her—so much shorter than him, but broad and strong with it. Her curly brown hair fluttering in the breeze. She gazed up at him, smiling, her eyes piercing, but not aggressive.

She was, he knew, deceptively sweet—kind to her friends, and to strangers alike. But vicious when cornered, or in defense of the weak. Because, disformed or not, she was not weak. Nor was she easily impressed. Her use of

"Queen

" towards Elreth in her absence was a sign of respect.

"I don't know,

" Aaryn said honestly. He hadn't asked El if she'd be joining them.

"But if she's not, I know she'll be waiting to hear how it went.

"

A snort rose from steps behind them and Aaryn turned. Khassi walked with her shoulders back, her black hair waving like a flag behind her, as if it tried to flee her head, her face grim and slightly pinched.

"Just so long as she isn't setting us up for failure,

" she said quietly when Aaryn raised a brow at her.

Khassi was a female of few words, and a wary sensibility that sometimes gave Aaryn pause. But tall and lean, she was strong as a whip both in body and in mind. More than once she'd reminded him of Aymora, Elreth's adoptive grandmother. She had enjoyed the comparison the time he'd mentioned it.

"If anyone has set you up for failure, it's me,

" Aaryn said dryly.

"I'm the one who told Tarkyn you were ready for this, and that I'd pit you against his guards any day.

"

"No pressure, then,

" Despyna muttered. The last of the three females, she was the one Aaryn knew least. But she'd proven to be a hard worker with a generous spirit.

Raichyl nudged her, and gave her a look, but Aaryn didn't mind the comment.

"No pressure,

" he affirmed.

"You know what you can do, and you know your limits. If they press you to something you really can't do, just say so. There's no shame in that. His trackers have been trained for years. But like I said, I'd gamble on you all any day of the week.

"

The three females gave small smiles and looked at each other. Behind them, Hholdyn, the only male, rolled his eyes.

"It doesn't matter two **s what training we've had, or they've had. What matters is getting the job done,

" he snapped.

"If they tell you to do something, do it the best way you know how. Get it done. Maybe they'll learn something.

"

Aaryn sighed. He'd gone back and forth in his mind about offering this chance to Hholdyn. The male was extremely skilled—and remarkably patient with humans, by all accounts. But he had a chip on his shoulder when it came to the Royals. He was one of the few who hadn't congratulated Aaryn on finding his True Mate, though he'd been at the honor guard when he and Elreth left the Flames and Smoke. He was hard to read at times, and his mood in the moment could greatly affect his performance.

But he was the best tracker the disformed had, and fiercely loyal. Aaryn knew that Hholdyn's pride would at least keep him working even if he failed. He wouldn't want to be shown up by the guards he if could avoid it.

"All of you are going to do great,

" Aaryn said.

"And Tarkyn isn't the type to try to bait you into failure. He'll test you—no doubt about it. You won't roll through this. But if you keep your wits about you, I suspect we'll all be celebrating tonight.

"

They all muttered and joked about that, but then fell silent. Aaryn kept walking without looking back, knowing they were nervous and probably didn't want added scrutiny. But he sent up several silent prayers for them. While they may be highly skilled, they were also untried, as Tarkyn had mentioned back the security council. And it would be Aaryn's fault if he'd chosen them for a role they weren't yet ready for.

When they found the top of the trail and broke through the trees into the training grounds, Tarkyn stood at the other end speaking with three other males.

Aaryn braced for the moment the Captain would turn around and see that he'd brought females to the grounds.

Although females often trained in combat, or even tracking, there were so few female guards that Aaryn couldn't help waiting for Tarkyn's surprise—and perhaps even censure.

But when they finally approached the quartet of males at the other end of the field, Tarkyn turned in the dying light and didn't even blink when his eyes fell on the females.

"Welcome to you all, thank you for coming,

" he said quietly, nodding at each of them. They all met his gaze and nodded in return—lower, in respect to his role. But Aaryn kept his head high.

While Tarkyn checked names, Aaryn looked at the others. Tobe was there, no sign of tension on his face either, though curiosity was there. The other males, Khylan and Wylfgar if Aaryn remembered correctly, both eyed the females with eyebrows high, but no apparent hostility.

This was a good start.

"Well, the light is dying, so let's make use of it while we can. Take four circuits of the field as a group to warm up, then end in the center to stretch.

"

The three males of the guard didn't even respond, but turned on their heels and immediately began jogging away.

Raichyl was the first to groan—she'd never liked running—but she was right on their heels when they swung into the grass at the edge of the field and their strides lengthened. Khassi and Despyna looked at each other and shrugged, then took off after the others.

Only Hholdyn balked, his face a stormcloud.

Aaryn was about to tell him to move when the male planted his feet in front of Tarkyn until the Captain finally looked at him.

"I didn't come here for a workout, I came to prove myself and my value!

"

Tarkyn levered one brow high and folded his arms.

"This is an opportunity to prove yourself, Hholdyn… and I must say, you're making a great first impression,

" he ended dryly.

Aaryn wanted to bury his face in his hands, but he just looked at Hholdyn and waited.

The male's lips pressed thin and he looked like he wanted to argue, but then he sighed and with a muttered curse, turned and took off after the others.

Aaryn watched them go, turning slowly so he'd keep facing them as they moved in their circuit around the large field. But now that they were gone, he could feel the waves of tension rolling off of Tarkyn. He was reminded of their confrontation in the Flames and Smoke and the hair on the back of his neck stood up. But he didn't speak. No. He would wait for the male to bring his case. Or ignore it.

Aaryn knew exactly what needed to be said. But he'd be **ed if he was going to be the one to start the conversation.

*****

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