RETH

They were holed up in a small cave, still several miles from the Tree City. But Aymora insisted that they needed to stop moving Elia until they were sure they could get her all the way back safely.

"It would be better for her to rest here and be safe, than to run her back and end up in battle on the way.

"

The delay grated on Reth's nerves, but he couldn't fault the wisdom of it. The healer that had waited for them at the temporary camp, who'd helped Aymora patch up the men, and Reth. And who had examined Elia, had agreed on the temporary halt.

"She's very weak.

"

"The cub?

" Reth had asked his voice hoarse with fear.

"Still alive,

" she'd said, but she didn't smile.

"The next two days will be the greatest risk. And if she develops an infection… this is a time to pray to the Creator, Reth.

"

He'd nodded. He'd already been doing that. But he would redouble his efforts.

He couldn't lose either of them. Not like this. Not at Lucine's hand.

While they rested in the cave, Behryn sent two scouts ahead to check the path to the city, and to prepare the healers. Reth held Elia and whispered to her about what they would do when all of this was done. All the things they would do together—including the new entries he had for the list—and all the ways life would improve without the wolves there to make so much trouble.

Then he'd stroked her hair and kissed her cheek and pleaded with her to wake.

When he'd looked up, Behryn was staring at him. Reth cleared his throat quietly and spoke before his friend could, because he knew whatever Behryn would say, it would bring the tears he'd been fighting since they stopped walking.

"What happened after I took her?

" he asked quietly.

Behryn sighed.

"The rocks were the problem—fighting them, while getting people up. It was awkward and… without the birds we wouldn't have gotten out. They kept diving. Corz dropped a rock on one of their heads,

" he said with a small smile.

Reth snorted, but didn't smile.

"Lucine?

" he asked after a moment.

"I don't know. I suspect she lives. I… I didn't sense the stench of death on her. But it all happened rather quickly. I could be wrong. What did she do to Elia?

"

"Tried to gut her. If I'd gotten there a few seconds later…

" Reth shivered and closed his eyes against the memory of Lucine, hunched over his mate, her teeth bared and that knife in her hands.

"I think… I think she wanted to take the babe. Or make sure it would die, anyway.

"

Behryn's face went cold.

"Then I hope she is dead,

" he said through his teeth.

Reth looked his gratitude at his dearest friend.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

"Have you heard from the others?

" The males who'd gone to make the diversion had taken a huge risk, drawing all that attention from so many. But there was a chance the wolves were under orders not to shift, and wouldn't have been able to give chase.

Behryn shook his head.

"I don't know. We didn't hear any signals, but we sent them back the other route. I just pray when we reach the City, they'll be there.

"

"As do I.

"

They both sat, staring at Elia for a long minute.

"Reth, if she survives this—

"

"I know,

" he said, his voice dead, even to his own ears.

"I'd already broached the subject with her. She… didn't see it. But perhaps after this…

"

"There can be no perhaps, Reth. There were far bigger numbers in that encampment than I would ever have guessed. And now that they know we're aware of them, they won't wait. We'll be lucky if we get back with hours to spare. You cannot let her stay. Even if she isn't healed. Even if she… you have to have her taken back. She can't be a pawn in this anymore. We can't afford it.

"

"I know,

" he growled.

"Have mercy, Behryn. I know.

"

Behryn nodded, then put a hand to Reth's knee.

"Brother, I love you. And I admire you. And you made the right decision. But do not fight what you know is right, not for love, not even for the cub. Far too many lives hang in the balance.

"

"I said, I know!

" Reth snapped.

Behryn just stared until Reth was forced to turn away.

"Who would you send with her?

" Behryn asked a few minutes later.

"What do you think of Gahrye? Perhaps even others of among the Outsiders.

"

"Outsiders?

"

"That's what she calls them. Or what they call themselves. I had planned to confront them. Thought they were the ones stealing. She begged me to let her ask them and I almost didn't. But… I was weak. I put it off because we hadn't had any reports the last few days. Now I'm glad. It would have pushed them even further away.

"

"Gahrye is a good choice,

" Behryn said.

"He reads the winds carefully, and his senses are sharp. And he's strong, if lacking in finesse. I would have trained him if he could shift. He has the skills.

"

"Is it his skills, or he is the right kind of male?

"

Behryn nodded.

"He's the right kind of male.

"

Reth wanted to growl at the idea of Elia being in the hands of another male for as many months as it might take. But at the same time, he couldn't deny, the stronger the males that went with her, the more easily he would sleep while they were parted.

"Are you worried about the effect on her, going back there, I mean?

"

Reth sighed.

"I'm worried about everything,

" he said honestly.

"But I can't see another way. I promised her I'd go back for her as soon as it was safe. I pray… I pray I can keep that promise soon. I worry she will… with the cub…

"

"She needs to be healed before she goes through the portal,

" Aymora piped up from the other side of the cave where she'd lit a small fire and was mixing something in a small pot.

"Impossible,

" Reth snarled.

"That would take weeks for her. Far too risky to have her here for that time with—

"

"No, it won't,

" Aymora sighed.

"I can have her walking comfortably in a day. Maybe two.

"

"How?

" Reth asked, turning on her.

Aymora stirred her pot again, then met his gaze.

"I will check the histories when we get back to be certain, but… I believe there's a way.

"

Then she refused to say anything more about it.