Heron Lake Plateau The otherside series.

After last night, it seemed so unlikely that they would lunch and then return home together. But Towhee had dramatized her own injuries and Wraen had apologized, so why let it amount to anything more than a brief misunderstanding? It would make life so much easier if they both put this behind them.

In fact, as they prepared to set off after those grouses the Sovereign mentioned, Towhee debated whether she should mention any of this to anyone. Life had just gotten good again lately. She didn't want to upset anyone or cause any further drama. Nothing should come of any of this, just like she'd told Wraen. And though she could still feel the hormones surging through her, Towhee's crazy cycle had been effectively blockaded.

As they left the plateau—Towhee walking a little gingerly but otherwise fine—she couldn't help but glance over at the leader and wonder. Half a dozen times, she almost asked a question about Wraen's own empty womb. But she reconsidered every time. They could perhaps talk about it again some other time, when all this had really blown over and Towhee had had time to assess and come to terms with her own deeply personal feelings on the matter.