229 What Forever Means – Part 1*

If you like music while you read, try "Hold Me Now" by Red. This has been Elreth and Aaryn's song since Taming the Queen of Beasts!

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~ ELRETH ~

Elreth's steps towards the Tree City were stilted. Though she and Aaryn stayed side by side, hands and arms brushing as they walked, though he interjected in her conversations at times, they weren't… together. Not in the way she usually felt with him.

She felt apart from him, and from everything. It was all surreal. What was wrong with her?

But then, hours later, when they were finally back, most of the tasks and needs had been assigned. Everyone was either peeling off to go get something done, or to find their loved ones and celebrate—hesitantly—that the talks had gone well.

They weren't truly alone until they were on the trail to the Royal meadow. And suddenly… Elreth couldn't look at him, terrified of what she might find.