RETH

After keeping Elia busy in bed until breakfast was finished—and intentionally ignoring the little voice in his head that told him he was jealous about her spending time with the disformed Equine—Reth showed up early for the security council briefing to catch Behryn alone.

When he walked into the hall, Behyrn looked up from the map he was studying.

"Good morning.

"

"Good morning. Any news?

"

"The bears will be migrating next month, I was just looking to see if we'll have any issues with the Silent Ones.

"

"Have you spoken with Gnarle yet?

"

"No. I'm hoping for time to take a trip next week. But you know he's just going to ask for you, anyway.

"

Reth sighed. The Bears were always extremely touchy this time of year with the cubs beginnning to venture out, and the adults always hungry as their bodies prepared to hibernate. With Reth's sensitive instincts after the claiming, it could be an explosive mix.

"Look, try it. Who knows, maybe he's mellowing in his old age.

"

Behryn brayed a laugh.

"I'll tell him you said that, then we'll see how mellow he is.

"

Reth chuckled. There was a quiet moment while they both studied the map, the Behryn said without warning,

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?

"

Reth should have known he wouldn't fool Behryn into thinking this was a casual coincidence. He scratched the back of his neck.

"I was, um, wondering if I could get your advice.

"

Behryn snorted.

"It's a little late for that, don't you think?

"

Reth shot him a dark look, but Behryn didn't smile. He'd forgiven Reth for hiding the secret exit from the cave, but he wasn't happy about it.

"We need to this again?

" Reth said, low and flat.

"No, just don't expect me to be excited if you've **ed things up because you were too busy being off by yourself.

"

"Actually, I was off trying to smooth things out with you, if it matters. But that's not the point.

"

Behryn turned to face him.

"Okay, what's going on?

"

"Last night, I had to dominate Gahrye.

"

Behryn shrugged.

"He'll be good about it. He's a submissive.

"

"That's not the part I'm wondering about. Elia almost didn't submit when I called her to leave with me. She didn't understand—I know that. But if her companions hadn't nudged her to it—insisted—she would have stepped up to me in front of the entire city.

"

Behryn's eyebrows popped up.

"Did you talk to her about it?

"

"We talked about dominance—she still doesn't really get how it all works. I mean, she accepted me after. But… I knew you and Hollhye had some issues at one point. I was wondering how you worked those out?

"

"Elia is very different to Hollhye,

" Behryn said.

"I know, but—

"

"Reth, if she's queen, she can't be seen to be undermining you. Especially not publicly. Especially not when you're dominating another male. And most especially not when that male is someone close to her—the closest to her, except for you.

"

"I'm aware,

" Reth said through his teeth.

"That's why I'm wondering if you have advice on how to approach it without…

"

"Without losing access to her bed?

" Behryn laughed and clapped Reth on the back.

"Sorry, brother, that's one you're going to have to work out with your mate.

"

"But if you could just tell me what approach you took?

"

Behryn's mouth slid up on one side and his eyes went distant.

"She was very angry when I drew the line. She was young and still finding her feet. She thought I saw myself as better than her—I explained it made no difference to us in private, but in front of the men…

"

Reth muttered a curse. He remembered the day, almost a decade ago, Hollhye had interrupted training to berate Behryn in front of his men during his first week as Captain of the Guard.

Behryn had nearly shifted on the spot.

"And then…

" Behryn's smile got wider.

"Then what?

"

"Then I showed her all the reasons I loved her, and her gorgeous legs,

" he said, clearing his throat and turning back to the map.

"A satisfied female is a lot more… flexible.

" While Reth laughed, he continued.

"The truth is, Reth, making her understand is even more crucial for you than it was for me. But these things… you'll see, they take time. You cannot expect her to simply change her ways overnight. But you can… prepare the way for growth—for yourself as well. Consider whether, had Aymora had the same response, whether you might have seen it different?

"

"Not at all. Not this time. It was an issue—Aymora even urged her forward when she looked like resisting me.

"

Behryn nodded.

"Then in that case it's even more critical. We'll have Bears, Silent Ones, and who knows what with the wolves in the coming months. We can't afford for you to be undermined in the people's eyes. They're already going to be nervous.

"

"Yes, I know,

" Reth raked a hand through his hair.

"I just… I know her heart is good. She doesn't resist because she has motive for herself. She has a different moral compass than we do. I struggle with the idea of breaking that. There is strength in some of her ideas.

"

"Not if they make you weaker before the people, Reth.

"

"I know.

"

"You know, you could have a word with Gahrye, too. He's a thoughtful male. But there is strength there. If he's giving the same messages you do, she might come around sooner.

"

"I'll think on it,

" Reth said. Behryn cut him a disapproving look. But Reth met it evenly.

"He is her Advisor. I will not interfere in their relationship.

"

"Then you'd be a better King than your father and grandfather.

"

"How so?

"

"They both placed people around their mates to help… smooth the path.

"

Reth frowned.

"I was not aware of that from my father, are you sure?

"

"Certain. Her Second was my Granddame, remember. He used to come to our home sometimes and speak with her privately. Always when there were tensions.

"

Reth considered it for a moment, then shook his head.

"No, I don't believe that will be necessary. Elia is extremely smart. I just need to show her how it affects the people. She'll come around—she shifted even last night. She was very angry at first.

"

"And how did you move her?

" Behryn asked.

"As you said, a satisfied female…

" he trailed off and Behryn laughed. Reth felt a little bad being dishonest with his brother, but he didn't think Behryn would understand why Reth had given Elia control the night before. He didn't understand humans at all. Especially not this one.

"Then it sounds like you don't need my advice at all,

" Behryn chuckled.

"You'll do fine, brother. Just speak plainly. Don't be subtle. Let her understand. She'll get there.

"

Reth nodded and they both turned their attentions back to the map, and the coming change of seasons. But throughout their discussion, and as the others began to arrive for the security council, Reth's mind continued to turn to the delicate balance between ensuring Elia knew how her actions and words could affect the entire Kingdom, and not changing who she was, or what she stood for.

The conversation would take wisdom. He just prayed to the Creator that he had it.