"Even if he's only a bird, he's still male," Jasper said firmly, blocking Rory's path. "It wouldn't be appropriate for him to stay here while you change."
Burnt Dumpling was still reeling from everything that had just happened. Rory had punished Nix on his behalf—without hesitation—and he hadn't yet recovered from the shock. Stripped of his former strength, reduced to a pitiful, injured creature who could barely defend himself, he had long accepted that his value had dropped to nothing.
And yet… this small female had stood up for him. Against her own suitor, no less.
In most households ruled by females, affection was transactional. A male's worth depended entirely on his power. A strong male was cherished; a weak one was ignored—or discarded altogether. By that logic, Burnt Dumpling should have been invisible to Rory by now.
And yet, she had protected him.
The realization left his thoughts in complete disarray.
Then Jasper's words finally registered.
Right.
He was still male.
