Chapter 552: Hold Me

AARYN 

Aaryn stood in outside the clearing where the birds were gathering, a circle of Protectors, staring at him expectantly, and his head… buzzed. They needed an answer and he should know it. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Aaryn? Are you okay?"

"Yes, sure. Just—"

A whimper was the only warning he had before a warm, Elreth smell accompanied the tackle to his chest. He stumbled backwards, clutching her as she buried her face in his neck and sobbed.

The Protectors went wide-eyed at the sudden and extreme display of emotion from their Queen, but as Aaryn felt his own control threatening to break, he tipped his head at them to give them some space, then walked her back into the trees until they were far enough away to speak quietly without being heard.

Elreth hadn't pulled her face out of his neck, though her initial sob was the only real sound she'd made.