Aerexa put a hand on her hip as she watched the scene before her unfold. In a sea of Vandrea it was easy enough to spot their mystic and once the woman began to speak all around her fell quiet. At first neither Aerexa nor her mother, Stryxx, could have imagined why they’d been summoned. A murmur of excitement followed those who walked side by side to Azehra’s side, but Stryxx had erred on the side of caution. For once in her life the hunter showed a genuine concern that caused Aerexa’s own excitement to dim. Should she be worried? Did her mother know something that she wasn’t saying? Or was it just a hunch?

And then she saw her. The beautiful, awe inspiring Azehra was rotting. Aerexa could no more hide her dismay than she could stop herself from pointing it out and turning to her mother. She was far from the only one stricken by the side; murmurs of discontent and outright fear spread throughout the younger, less worldly Aishans. Stryxx, however, seemed almost relieved to see their goddess in such a state and only offered a knowing smile. Some of the other Alkidike’s shared a similar reaction, while one did little to hide a cluck of disgust.

Now that the truth had been made clear to her, Aerexa wasn’t so sure what to think. Azehra was maturing? That didn’t sound so worrisome to her; if anything it was amazing! It meant that she was getting stronger and was obviously well prepared to take her place as the strongest of the Goddess trees! What was troublesome was the knowledge that her maturity meant the Vandrea might have some hybrids in their ranks soon. And, naturally, those that knew her well had turned a critical eye toward Aerexa.

Her own mother included.

“Is this…exciting news to you?” Stryxx looked down at her daughter with an arched brow. The woman’s intimidating size was laughable compared to her smaller offspring, but for every push the Alkidike gave the Vandrea gave right back.

“Whatever you’re trying to get at just say it.” Turning away from the gathering in front of her, Aerexa looked up at the older Aishan.

“That little earthling boy you sneak off to play with. You could have a daughter of your own with him if you wanted now.” She waved her hand in a very bland, all-encompassing gesture. “I don’t like the idea of mixing our blood, but so long as he’s fit-“

“Oh goddess, stop.” Aerexa covered her face with her hands and groaned. “Lioe and I aren’t like that. We’re friends; you wouldn’t like him anyway.”

“Why not? I don’t hate earthlings, Rex. I have earthling friends.”

“He’s not…he works in a book shop. Lioe isn’t a fighter.”

That sobered Stryxx up really quickly. Her mother had been passively contemplating a world with hybrid granddaughters until that moment and Aerexa could pinpoint the exact breath the spark died. “So he’s worthless.”

“Mother.”

“What? It’s true.” Stryxx shrugged. “Any partner you take needs to be able to stand by you; not hold you back. Just because you’ve been given a chance to have the weirdest little heathens your heart could ever want in the future doesn’t mean you have to waste it on a squib like that.”

This was – How could – “Argh! Just stop talking!” It was bad enough that her mother was having this talk now, right after such a big announcement, but they were also still in a very public place. Everyone they’d ever known had been there and any one of them could be listening! “You don’t get to talk about him like you know him! Lioe might be a puny little squib, but he’s a good squib and if he ever had an Aishan daughter at least she’d have enough sense to keep her mouth shut if she didn’t have all the facts.”

Hot with rage, Aerexa snarled up at the taller Aishan and stomped away from her. What was the point in attacking Lioe, of all people?! They weren’t even a friggin’ couple! So Stryxx was fine with the way things were going, but only if her grandchildren were strong? And girls at that? Well – that was just – that was just stupid! Any child Aerexa had would be strong! They’d be the strongest! Even if they were a boy! Aerexa reached out and punched a tree trunk in passing. One punch turned into another and spirits did it feel good just to let out some of that frustration.

[756]