AARYN
Everything in him recoiled in response to Eadhye's words. He stared at her, his eyes screwed up, brows pinched together.
She couldn't be saying what he thought she was saying.
Then he looked and Tarkyn's eyes snapped to meet his—full of concern and compassion, but also a wary edge. His body was poised, as if he thought Aaryn might get violent.
But Aaryn wasn't angry. He was… he didn't know what he was. He was certain he hadn't heard those words. That this wasn't what she had said. That was impossible. His mother would never do that. She'd never leave him. Not by choice.
"What did you say?" he asked, his head buzzing until he almost couldn't hear her whispered words.
But she didn't move, didn't stop clutching his shoulder. And she said it again, as if they weren't words that sliced him open like a blade.
