Silent Prince

AARYN

The walk back to the Tree City was quiet.

Elreth frowned distractedly almost the entire trip back—made slower because he and Apryl and Despyna couldn't shift to beasts. Tarkyn had tried to be subtle, claiming he had to take a different route home to get to the training grounds and speak with some of the guards, but Aaryn was certain it was mainly because the male wanted to run back as his lion which would take less than a third of the time. But he didn't want to make the shift in front of them.

Elia and Reth dropped behind the rest of them, disappearing into the trees when they got closer to the city in a way that made Aaryn pretty sure they were heading to the Weeping Tree.

Aaryn was going to offer to Gar that he could shift and get moving if he wanted to, but the male looked so stunned and distant, Aaryn wasn't sure he would want to. Maybe he needed the walk back to process everything that had happened.