**Recognition!**

The word caught her off guard. As her mind filled with the frantic gossip and images of a happy couple, it only served to fill the huntress with a deep, heart-wrenching sorrow.

For Zarra, Recognition's only blessing was Wynn, her son. Beyond that it had been a curse that followed her where she went. Her Recognized, the hunter Girtam, pursued her like the sharks they both preyed upon. She had no desire for him, but he seemed to hold on to that fiery passion and swore up and down that he loved her. But she loathed him, he would never listen to her and always tried to force her into a lifemating.

Now Freisoll and Raye had Recognized and a huge celebration would be held. But along with the new Recognition, Girtam's determination would grow. In fact, at that moment she felt a familiar brush against her mind. She slammed down the walls around her mind, something she'd learned well how to do.

She sighed softly and drew her knees up so that she could rest her cheek on them. She had often, a long time ago, imagined what it could have been like if she had Recognized someone else...like Zhen. She felt a prickling behind her eyes and reached up, surprised to find moisture there. Why did it hurt her so? She was often glad no one could see her, because they would think she was weak. To her tears were a sign of such a weakness.

A chattering beside her drew her out of her thoughts. "Hello, Streak. Feel like going for a bit of a trip?" She asked her lifetime friend softly. The dolphin clicked, with a hint of worry and sadness. "I'll be fine, but with this new Recognition, I think it's best I hide out till the celebration is over." The small elf slipped into the water beside Streak. She longed to join, but she couldn't face Girtam. Taking a hold of the dolphin's fin, Zarra let herself slip under the water and to a quiet place.