ELIA

Elia sat at the table with the women's council, all of them laughing and teary-eyed from Aymora's story about a pair of young lovers she'd interrupted inside the storage tree they were using for the Festival.

"He fell over, right into the banner line and got twisted up, and she just kept squawking.

"

"What did you do?

" Elia was always fascinated about how open the Anima were about anything to do with mating.

"I told him to stop waving the flags at me and tidy up after himself after he was done.

"

The women erupted with a new wave of laughter. Elia couldn't breathe for a moment. But as they slowly calmed, she considered again how precious these women had become. Their practical approach to any crisis—along with their humor—made even the difficult aspects of ruling so much easier.

Not that Elia did a lot of ruling yet. She was mainly a helper, of sorts, to the people. A few people anyway. They mostly approached with things they wanted Reth to hear before a council meeting, or small, practical problems they felt she could help them fix. It was a tiny start, but it was a start. And the requests for her audience were slowly becoming more frequent.

As they finished their meeting, Elia enjoyed hearing from the women that their families anticipation for the Festival was growing. She was excited—and more than a little nervous. She'd worked out her story to tell at the Reading, and had been practicing with Aymora, Candace, and Gahrye. Now she only had to tell it to the people and see whether they approved.

Aymora walked them all to the door, the other women skirting around the two large warriors who stood outside in fighting leathers and their spears, waiting for Elia.

Elia gave Aymora a hug, who eyed the men.

"Is it really necessary?

" she asked quietly.

"Reth believes so,

" Elia sighed.

"And I understand his fear. But… I feel like it will put me back in the eyes of the people.

"

Aymora's lips twisted thoughtfully.

"Perhaps, or perhaps they will just come to accept that while you have physical limitations, you bring other strengths.

" Aymora rubbed her arms, then raised an eyebrow.

"Although it seems that you are working on those limitations, anyway?

"

Elia smiled.

"Yes, I'm trying.

"

"Good girl.

"

"Thank you, Aymora. I don't know how I would have done any of this so far without you.

"

The older woman waved her off.

"It is my honor—and Reth's as well, I'm sure.

" She winked and Elia rolled her eyes, then walked out into the sunlight, bright after the darkness of the cave.

Elia walked quickly back towards the city, the two men bracketing her. They were guards she was less familiar with, so she didn't distract them from their task, but as they grew closer to the center of the city and passed people them on the path, she smiled, and tried to pretend they weren't there.

Then she saw Lhorn. The male was a disformed wolf—normal in his appearance, but like Gahrye, unable to shift. He was relatively young, but had a sharp mind, and had willingly befriended Elia as she'd started spending more time with Gahrye and the other Outsiders. In secret.

Even Reth didn't know how much time she spent with them, mostly training, but also discussing societies, the human world versus the Anima world, and how Elia saw a role for the disformed in Anima society.

They were some of her favorite hours in the week, and she didn't hide her delight in seeing Lhorn approach.

He bowed before her and, with a quick glance at the men behind her, smiled carefully.

"My Queen, could I request an audience?

" he said humbly. It was their signal—as more people had begun coming to her, she'd told all the Outsiders to do the same whenever she was in company, to let her know that they needed to speak with her.

"Of course, Lhorn. Do you need to speak now, or—

"

"No, Sire. But… this afternoon? Prior to the evening meal?

"

"Certainly.

"

"Thank you, Highness. Have a lovely day.

"

"You too, Lhorn.

"

She was still smiling, excited that they would train again that day. She wanted to work on her defensive blocks, that were still remarkably slow compared to the others—but improving. She got so lost remembering the moves she needed to practice, that at first she didn't notice the tension of the Guards who must have scented something. Then, just as she was about to ask, they turned a corner in the path, and Lucine appeared, huddled under a tree on this back trail, her knees against her chest, and her face gaunt.

Elia gasped. She hadn't seen the woman for a month, had assumed Lucine was going about her life. But here she was, looking ragged and thin. She'd lost a lot of weight, and quickly.

Her eyes widened when she saw Elia, and then the guards. She leapt to her feet, put her eyes to the ground, and waited for them to pass.

Her posture was submissive, but Elia didn't miss the twitching in her jaw.

As they reached her, Elia stopped. The men behind her putting their hands to their weapons, which made Elia want to scream.

"Good morning, Lucine.

"

"Good morning, Highness,

" Lucine sketched a bow, but still didn't meet her eyes.

"Are you well? Is there anything you need? I'm meeting with Reth tonight—

"

"I am well provided for, Highness. Thank you for asking.

" Her tone said she was anything but grateful, but Elia let it pass.

She had stopped feeling awkward about this woman, instead finding compassion for her. Her life had changed so dramatically as a result of Elia's appearance. It was no wonder the woman didn't want to speak with her.

Elia had to ask herself how she would feel if she'd thought she was going to mate Reth, then this woman showed up and he became completely entranced by her?

It made her stomach sick.

"Lucine… there are groups within our people who would welcome you—

" she put her hand to the woman's shoulder, and Lucine snarled and jerked out of her grip, but stopped herself from retreating completely. She stood in front of Elia, trembling—with anger or fear?—and Elia stopped. The Guards both drew their spears to a defensive position, but Elia raised her hand to stop them moving on Lucine.

"I'm very sorry,

" Elia said quietly.

"I shouldn't have touched you without asking first. Please forgive me.

"

"There's no forgiveness necessary, I simply wish to be alone,

" Lucine growled.

Elia nodded.

"I will leave you to your solitude then. But please, don't hesitate to let me know if there's a way I could help you.

"

"I am fine!

" Lucine snapped.

With a glance at the disapproving guards, Elia nodded and told Lucine farewell, then kept walking. But her heart was sore.

She would talk to the Outsiders again. When she'd first proposed inviting Lucine into their group, they'd been quick to dismiss the idea, despite having other wolves in their number. They felt Lucine's status wasn't as permanent as their own, and her knowledge of their group would only be a risk.

But Elia was determined to ask them again. Lucine needed help, and she clearly wasn't getting it from her Tribe.

She was Queen. If she couldn't help one woman find some kind of joy in her day, she wasn't worth much to anyone.