RETH

Tension coiled in his stomach like a snake. He could barely take in the conversation as Aymora explained to Elia… but did it matter? Did it matter what any of them thought, or what the law said? In the end, the thing that made his heart pound and his throat too tight was the fact that they were going to try to make him align with Lucine, in some way.

"I need to speak to my Queen,

" he growled.

"We need time alone.

"

Brant opened his mouth and Reth had the distinct impression he was going to correct Reth's use of Queen, but they met eyes, and the older man closed his mouth and nodded.

"We will allow you the freedom to be alone. But please, stay away from the people. Do not try to influence the outcome of this evening.

"

"We won't,

" he growled, taking Elia's hand, but before he could stride for the door, Brant caught his arm.

"What?

" he snarled.

The older man raised one eyebrow, and Reth paused, but didn't apologize.

"The Creator brings great struggle only to put us on the right path, Reth.

"

"Any path that would split a Pair cannot be the Creator's will,

" he spat.

"We will see,

" Brant said calmly.

"But that isn't what I meant. I meant… spend this time—some of it, at least, centering on His plan, Reth. It's the only way. His power is greater than yours.

"

Reth clenched his teeth, but nodded. Aymora and Elia were whispering, but when he turned to look at her, she stopped and hugged Aymora, then followed him out of the building at a walk so fast it was nearly a run.

Her hand was enclosed in his and the frantic screaming in his head wouldn't stop. The scent of another male wafted to him through the trees and he wanted to shift.

He had to get her away from everyone else. He couldn't… let this… he couldn't…

"Reth,

" she whispered, hugging his arm and pulling him to a stop.

"Stop.

"

He jerked to a halt at the intersection of paths. There was little traffic around this area, so no one could see them. When he turned to her, she put a hand to his face.

"We're still here,

" she said breathlessly.

"They haven't split us up. And they won't. One way or another… unless you… unless you feel like you have to—

"

"Don't even think that!

" he snarled and she grabbed his arms as he groaned and fought back the shifting.

"Reth, what's wrong?

"

"I'm **ing terrified of losing you, that's what's wrong!

" he hissed, then cupped the back of her neck and took her in a kiss so searing, she startled before relaxing under his hand and returning it.

When he pulled back, her eyes were already wide and on him.

"Are you prepared to… trust my Beast?

" he asked, his voice rough as gravel on a hillside.

"If you tell me I can, I will,

" she said.

He kissed her again

"I'm going to shift, and you're going to get on my back and I'm taking you away from here,

" he said.

Her throat bobbed, but she nodded. He kissed her again, then with his eyes still closed and his forehead rested on hers, he stroked her cheek.

"Never, Elia. They'll never take me from you,

" he whispered.

Before she could respond he stepped back and shifted…

His She was shaky, but determined. The other inside snarled and he shook, but laid himself flat on the dirt so she could crawl over his back to sit astride his shoulders.

Her strange limbs fixed in his mane in a way that made him want to purr. Then he rose to his feet, let her find her balance, then he was gone.

*****

ELIA

Under any other circumstances it would have been the most incredible experience. Reth was huge, all warmth and power in this form, and although massive, he was all grace, As he bounded through the forest, his back barely shifted under her—until he needed to turn. More than once he had to slow, or shift his angle to stop her from sliding off sideways when he took a corner. But they found their rhythm and by the time she was comfortable enough to look around, they'd reached a part of the WildWood she'd never seen.

And the earth under Reth's paws was climbing.

She thought they might have circled the mountain to take a path up its side that wasn't as steep, because the trees were thinning here, but she could caught flashes of dense growth to her left that looked like the canopy when they were up the hillside from the ladder.

She should have been tired. She should have been exhausted. But every muscle in her body was tight, tense, rigid with fear. Her breath felt like it was too shallow, too quick, but she couldn't seem to suck in more, so she panted, despite doing very little work to make the climb.

Reth's mane was an odd mix of soft and rugged, and her fingers began to cramp with holding onto it so tightly. But thankfully, soon his pace slowed. And when they finally broke through the trees into a clearing the size of a football field, but open on the short end to look out over WildWood, it stole her breath.

Reth settled to his stomach so she could slide off, her knees shaking from gripping his sides. Then he was next to her, himself again, and taking her hand, leading her across the thick, tall grass, now turning brown in the Autumn sun, to the edge of what was almost a cliff.

They were higher than she'd ever been.

They were protected from the afternoon sun by the tall trees alongside the clearing. Standing in their shadow just made the bright light over the rest of the world even more brilliant.

Elia stared down at a carpet of treetops, so far away, they looked like moss. Clouds skittered across the bright blue sky, and the sun made it impossible to look too high. But for a moment Elia could breathe.

Finally.

"Oh, God, Elia,

" Reth rasped and pulled her into his chest.