her our ways as she grows and is ready to learn. I mean the child no harm, she will be treated as an honored daughter of our house.”
Wensel pulled the little girl around to the front of her. She squatted down to her level and stared into the beautiful face of the little one. “Aria, would you like to spend sometime with Fin and his family?” The little girl looked over to where Fin stood with his father. He was a typical young boy that was busily looking at his surroundings rather than at the adults. Aria smiled and nodded. The gesture almost broke her heart, but she understood the attraction between children who essentially had no playmates. Being mute was not easy when one was young. No matter if it hurt to ask Lord Tremble what she was about to do, she would do it for the child’s sake.
“My Lord, I had no knowledge of any of this. At the lake, Aria and Fin began to play together, since it was the first time I have watched her communicate with someone that was not me, I wanted to learn the fingerspeak the two children were chattering with. I refuse to give my guardianship away to another. If it pleases you, and especially if it pleases Aria, I propose that she is allowed to visit this family a few times each week. If things go well, I might at some later date consider more time with them. Until I know for certain, I will stay during visiting, and we will return here together. I can cook and clean so I will not be a burden to you or anyone else. That is as reasonable as I am prepared to be on this subject. I do not trust this woman, I believe that if she is given the chance, she will take Aria and leave this place without a backwards glance.” The blackness of Wensel’s eyes began to take over a bit more, and Lion could see the change, as she finished with, “No one wants to be near should she attempt to steal this child. Truth, I will kill anything and laugh while doing so, including her and her loved ones. They will be the first on my list.”
She again had to breathe deeply to pull the banshee back into her. Making such a threat to another in front of the Lord of Tremble was probably not the most intelligent thing for her to have done, yet he needed to know that she would not be pushed into relinquishing her niece so easily. Aria climbed up onto her chest and she held the little body tightly to her. She was sworn to love and protect the child and she would.
Lion had no wish to get involved with this dispute over the little one. Rane would do more than wring his balls of their seed if he chose wrongly. She had become overly fond of the child in the short time they had been at Tremble. Even Nord was watching the Sea Singer with suspicion as the woman stared at Wensel with hatred in her eyes. It appeared that she was correct and the woman had designs for taking the little one.
“You will take the offer or take your family away from Tremble. It is obvious to me and all present here that you have more than a passing interest in the child. Unless we are missing something, or you have not been completely honest about your intentions. The notion that you felt no need to inform my Betas of your presence does not set well with me, nor does your attitude. Tremble has always sheltered those deserving and willing to put their special abilities available for the good of all. You have made serious accusations, yet this woman has protected the child for two years on her own with no harm befalling the little one.
“I have made my decision. There will be visitation here at the castle in the park. There is a large pond, so any water skills may be practiced there. If Aria goes into the water with you at anytime, your son will remain on the shoreline. I will set a guard on these sessions to insure my orders are carried out. Any attempt to kidnap the child will be in direct opposition to my edict in this matter, and you will lose your son as punishment for your actions. You will be hunted and the girl will be returned to her