READER CHALLENGE: Want another mass release right away? If we can get 50 reader votes each for today and tomorrow (that will need almost 20 more votes for today from the time of this posting, plus probably the same number extra tomorrow) I will do ANOTHER mass release of 4 chapters that will let you read all the events surrounding Aaryn’s confession in one day! CAN YOU DO IT?

*****

ELRETH

She stood, staring at the gathered crowd, all of the WildWood, gaping at her. Dargyn’s eyes were wide and his face… fearful? She wanted to growl.

And she wanted to weep. Her cheeks heated and she cleared her throat.

Huncer turned, even the wise elder lioness at a loss for what to say.

Elreth blinked. She had to salvage this before her rule was undermined by it.

“That was, unexpected,” she said, forcing a grin. There were a few small titters among the crowd. “You will forgive me, Anima, if I choose to break tradition tonight and name my Advisor tomorrow. It appears I would do well to check in with my appointees before we place them before you.”

Slightly more laughter this time. “Please, enjoy the feast! Let us dance and praise the Creator, and tomorrow, my Cohorts will be complete!”

A pattering of applause began in one corner, then grew through the gathered people like an incoming wave. Elreth smiled and bowed her head, thanking them for not abandoning her. But as the applause died and Huncer regathered herself to make the final call to celebrate, Elreth didn’t hear the words. She stood, her smile forced, accepting the acknowledgment of the people, then clapping with them when they were released to party.

But as Huncer released them and the masses began to shift, moving tables from the center to open a floor for dancing, the musicians gathering under the stage, Elreth dropped into her seat.

She needed to find him. To go after him. To confront him. But she couldn’t leave. This was her appointment. Her acknowledgment. She would be forced to stay here for hours…

“Are you okay?” Gwyn’s whispered voice broke through the panic in her head.

Elreth turned, staring at her. “No. But… we have to stay and celebrate.”

Gwyn nodded, then took Elreth’s hand and squeezed it. “Would you like a drink?”

Elreth snorted before she could consider the etiquette of the Queen. “Yes, please. Elder wine if they have it. I… this is going to be a long night.”

Gwyn nodded and got up to go in search of a server. Elreth swallowed. Then swallowed again.

He’d said no.

Aaryn had said no.

Why? He wasn’t petty. He didn’t hold grudges. Even when they fought, they were always there for each other before others. It had never crossed her mind that he was angry enough to deny her—

A warm hand slid into hers, long fingers twining against hers. Elreth startled and turned to find Dargyn, those piercing green eyes fixed on her. “We’re going to dance,” he said carefully, with a glance at the people. “You’re going to smile and have fun, and they’re all going to see that this was just a hiccup. A misunderstanding that will get cleared up tomorrow, and it will have no impact on your reign.”

He stared at her pointedly. And despite her unease about the familiarity he was showing, she was grateful.

“That would be… good…” she said.

Dargyn nodded and stood, pulling her to her feet and leading her down, off the stage, to the dancefloor below.

*****

Three hours and only two glasses of Elder-wine later, Elreth sat slumped in her chair on the stage, watching the party below, her stomach twisting.

She had danced—and not just with Dargyn. Many of the males of the pride, and some from the others, had offered their hands for the Queen tonight. If she hadn’t had this dark cloud hanging over her, it might have been a wonderful night. The first where she’d felt… like a woman.

But the further they drew from that moment when Aaryn had denied her, and the drunker the people got, the darker Elreth’s mood had turned.

She’d sat there for the last half hour, imagining in her mind what this night might have been like if she’d been truly celebrating.

But she couldn’t hold the images in her mind.

One and all, the turned to the memory of Aaryn’s face, the way it had twisted—pleading and angry—before he’d run from the market.

Angry? What reason did he have to be angry?

What reason did he have to stare at her as if she was the one who had put them in this position? As if it was somehow her fault?

As if he was the one hurt by this?

The longer she sat there, the more her anger grew.

She avoided the wine, knowing herself well enough to know that alcohol combined with this rage would only create problems for everyone.

Elreth had a habit of losing control of her beast when she’d been drinking. Though it hadn’t happened in a year or two, she suspected when combined with this growing rage…

Then she blinked.

Many of the families with young cubs had already left—coming to greet and offer their loyalty before departing.

Some of the older Anima had also said their farewells.

Those that were left—and there were many—were enjoying the free flowing wine, the music, and each other.

No one had spoken to her for over half an hour.

If she left now they probably wouldn’t even notice.

It only took three more breaths for her to make the decision. There was a small set of stairs at the back of the stage that led to a door in the back wall, directly outside, to an area with several storage trees for the cooks and planners.

She would just leave. They wouldn’t even know she’d gone.

She would go find him and make him answer for this.

Right now.

She stood, pushing back her chair and turning casually, as if she only left for the bathing rooms. But before she reached the stairs, Dargyn was there, his broad shoulders taking up her entire line of sight when he planted himself in front of her. Close.

Very close.

He breathed quickly—the fumes of wine washing over her unpleasantly—and his eyes flashed with an odd light. “Don’t do it, Elreth,” he said. “Don’t go after him. He doesn’t deserve it.”

Elreth swallowed.