220 Negotiating Terms

~ TARKYN ~

Hope burned in Tarkyn's chest like the spice of a winter pepper. He could barely breathe for holding himself back because what if it didn't work?

Sasha and Elreth faced each other, Elreth eyeing her warily, but Tarkyn could smell hope on his Queen as well.

Yet, she trembled and he didn't blame her. Her mate was caged.

Tarkyn's own rage bubbled up again at that thought. He was forced to keep his eyes on the wolf instead of letting them wander back to Aaryn.

They'd been following the Chimera to this meeting. They were supposed to be just behind Zev and Sasha, ready and accessible to assist in smoothing lines of communication. But they'd been late joining the crowd and so were walking quickly, trying to catch up with the leaders at the front.

But an hour earlier, when they still lagged out of sight of those in the front, Harth had suddenly stopped walking, grabbing for Tarkyn's arm, her eyes wide and afraid.