Redsand Canyon proprius

She had good days. She had bad days. Today was one of the latter. Her wound itched fiercely, preventing Towhee from getting any sleep the night before. She was crabby as hell and made her mate and kids leave before she could take out her bad mood on them.

Of course, that was when the Imperator came calling, his familiar shadow darkening her doorstep. Grunting with the effort, Towhee climbed to her feet to step outside, eyeing him and sourly wondering if he was here to strip her of her title since she was little more than an invalid these days.

Imperator, Towhee said, trying to keep the grumpiness out of her voice, though she had no way of knowing whether she succeeded.