TEN





The patio was lit with beautiful antique lanterns that had been in Sandar's family for years. Ari stood admiring the decorations and was startled when strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. She closed her eyes and leaned against the strong body behind her.

"Where's Blythe?" Ari asked, burying her face into Thade's neck.

"With your father," Thade replied, kissing Ari on the cheek. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him.

"I'm surprised you let someone else hold her," she said, and Thade knew it was true. He now understood Sandar's worry when Ari had gone with the humans. How he would pay any price to get his child back safely.

"My arms were getting tired," he said. Ari chuckled.

"The guests will be arriving soon," she stated, checking the patio one more time, making sure it was perfect. It was sort of like a welcome party for Blythe. Everyone important who knew her father was coming, and many of Ari's old classmates.

It amazed many of her friends that she could now be married to Thade. He was the popular boy that every girl had a crush on. Ari had always complained about their family, but when she had actually talked to Thade, she knew she liked him too, and of course had been with him for many years, since Thade had absolutely adored her. Then after they broke up, Ari couldn't even speak to him. And then when he begged her to come back to him, she refused. Now she couldn't be more happier, and she loved him more than anything.

"Where's Attar?" Ari asked, struggling to get away from Thade, even though she didn't want to leave the warmth and security of his arms.

"With Daleya," Thade said. "Apparently he's falling for her."

"Who wouldn't," Ari said. "She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"Not quite," Thade whispered in her ear. Ari smiled and kissed him on the cheek, but shook her head.

"Nice try," she said. "But we don't have enough time for that."

"How did you know what I wanted?" Thade asked, with laughter in his voice.

"I know you too well," Ari said, walking into the kitchen. Thade shrugged and went to find Sandar so he could have his daughter back.







"We should be getting back," Daleya said, walking beside Attar. He was huge compared to her small, slender figure.

"I know," Attar admitted. He had just wanted to get her alone for a little while.

"Look at that sky," sighed Daleya, staring out over the horizon. "It's so beautiful."

Attar reached out and stroked Daleya's cheek. She looked up at him with wide blue eyes.

"Not as beautiful as you," he said, and leaned down to kiss her. Daleya was surprised at first, but then wrapped her arms around his neck and let him hold her.

"Is this wrong?" she asked him, hoping his answer was positive.

"I don't know," Attar said. "But if it is, I don't want to be right."

Daleya laughed, and kissed him again.





"Well she's adorable!" exclaimed a older female orangutan. She cuddled Blythe up to her cheek. Thade laughed nervously and reached for his daughter.

"Thank you Pollie," he said. He took his daughter and went to find Ari. She was across the room talking to a friend, and looked up and waved him over. Thade smiled at her. He didn't know he could love her so much. Every time she smiled or laughed he felt as happy as her. Every time she cried, he felt as bad as she did. He knew it sounded corny, but he didn't care.

"Well, there you are," she said, pulling Thade next to her. Thade greeted her friend.

"Thade, you know Jadia," Ari said. "From school." Thade nodded and shook Jadia's hand. He did remember her. She had been a popular, smart chimp. She had had the biggest crush on Thade and still looked at him with googly eyes. Thade, desperately thinking up an excuse in his head, turned to Ari. "I'm going to go find Attar." he said.

Ari nodded and continued her conversation with Jadia. Jadia also excused herself and stood beside Leeta, who was getting a drink.

"He's still as handsome as he was in school," she sighed, staring after Thade. Leeta turned to look at her.

"Who?" she demanded.

"The General," Jadia said.

Leeta was outraged. "He's married, Jadia," she said.

"I know, but maybe I can change his mind," she said, slyly. Leeta glared after her. She never did like that chimp. Ari, who was talking to Senator Nado, was pulled away from him. She turned to see Daleya standing beside her.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"With Attar," Daleya said. Ari raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Daleya asked,defensively.

"Are you ready for this?" Ari asked.

Daleya nodded. "Yes, I care about him."

Ari must have looked skeptical, because anger appeared on Daleya's features.

"Don't scold me on being ready for something, Ari!" exclaimed Daleya. "I hadn't been given rights until about a year ago, but I know how you and Thade were together, and how he left you, and you despised him for being a human hater. Then all of a sudden you're back together and you let him get you pregnant before you even got married!"

That stung. Ari pulled back as if she'd been slapped. She tried to get in a word, but Daleya continued.

"People think it's weird that you went with those humans and cared a great deal for that one man. How does Thade feel about that, Ari?"

Ari just shook her head and ran from the room before she could start to cry. Thade watched her run from the other side of the room and followed her.











Ari stood on the balcony and sobbed. Was Daleya right? Should she be scolding her when she herself had rushed into life with Thade, and for weeks before that he had to beg her for forgiveness?

"What's wrong?" Thade asked, standing beside her.

"Nothing," Ari lied. She didn't want to tell him what Daleya had said.

"Tell me," he said. "I know you wouldn't start crying for nothing."

Ari sighed and turned to him. She stroked his face. "I love you so much," she said. "But don't you think that maybe we wished into this too fast. I didn't even believe that you wanted to be with me, I thought you only want my father's power to help you."

"I did," Thade said. Ari's heart dropped into her knees.

"What?" she asked. Thade sighed and took her hand. "I loved you, but having your father's influence would have helped me."

"So that is why you're with me?" demanded Ari. "I can't believe this! I even let you get me pregnant, and our child wasn't even born for the purpose of love! You're using me! I-I just can't believe this. You hurt me again. Daleya was right, I should have thought about this before I did it. I shouldn't even gone through with the pregnancy."

"So you're saying you would have rather killed our baby, then give birth to her?" Thade demanded, angrily.

"It would have been better than having you hurt me for a second time," Ari snapped. Thade glared at her furiously.

"Ari, that's not even what I meant. I don't even care about what your father does. I just want you. I was telling you that that's what I wanted when I first got involved with you, but then I fell hard for you and I'll always feel the same way. That's why I apoligized, that's why I changed my ways and gave myself this mark. I love you."

"It's better than having the only man you ever loved press a burning hot branding iron into your hand," Ari snarled, showing her fangs.

"Do you think it was easy for me?" Thade barked, pressing Ari against the wall. She struggled but he was much stronger than her. "I cried myself to sleep that night, thinking about what I had done. You don't know what it's like to feel that way. And then I change my ways for you, and you're not grateful?! My father would never forgive me, and he's gone now, and I'm a father myself, and I realize how much I miss him. I'm sorry Ari, but maybe you and Daleya are right. Maybe this whole thing is wrong. I should had just left."

"You'd leave a pregnant woman?" Ari cried.

"It would be much better than this," muttered Thade, and Ari slapped him across the face.

"Leave this house," she said. "And don't come back."

"Ari-" Thade started, but she pushed him away.

"I said leave!" she sobbed. "You can see Blythe in the morning, but I'm staying here with my father tonight." Ari then slid of her wedding band and placed it in his hand. "You can have this back for now," she said, and turned back to the party.