ELIA

Elia sat at the dining table, scanning the faces of the people who'd become so precious to her, wondering how on earth—or off of it—she was ever going to leave them and return to her own world… be away from them, and away from this people, this place. Away from Reth.

Even the idea felt so empty.

Reth sat to her left, his hand on her thigh under the table. He was all business this morning, but every time his eyes landed on her, they tightened and went dark. He looked like he was already grieving, but determined.

To her right, Aymora sat, frowning at the tabletop. She was fidgeting, twisting her fingers together, picking at her own nails—little things, but things Elia had never seen her do before. She was usually so poised. It was unnerving to see her so uneasy.

Gahrye sat across from Elia, his face blank, but his eyes were bright and followed everything she and Reth did. Behryn sat across from Reth, his face tense and drawn. But he didn't fidget. He was like a rock in the river.

Candace sat Elia's end of the table, and Brant at Reth's. Neither of them had spoken yet, but both seemed to be waiting for something and Elia wasn't sure what.

"Thank you for coming. There's a lot going on right now, and I appreciate you keeping this discreet,

" Reth said, looking at each of them in turn. They each nodded.

"If you aren't aware, Elia and I have spoken about the position we find ourselves in.

" Reth's throat bobbed and she put her hand on his on her leg, twining their fingers.

"With Elia expecting a cub, and with the wolves very clearly focused on removing her from the throne, we have decided it's the wisest course for her to return to her world until this war has played out and it's safe for both of them to be back here.

"

"I knew it!

" Gahrye hissed.

Candace's mouth dropped open. Brant's eyes flashed, but he seemed to support the idea. Only Behryn and Aymora nodded. They'd already known. Still, tensions rose in the room. This was a huge decision, and they all knew it. Candace looked at Elia, sadness in her eyes. Elia offered a small smile, but couldn't make it stick.

Reth squeezed her fingers.

"Elia is healing quickly, thanks to Aymora. We believe it will be safe for her to travel tomorrow, and we think it's critical for her to move as soon as is wise, because the wolves will be planning to attack again, of that I am certain.

" Everyone agreed. Reth swallowed again.

"You have been asked here because we either hope for your advice, or that you might play a role in this. No one outside of this room is aware of this decision. We have not even hinted at it. I have been careful, in fact, to imply otherwise to any others I've spoken to, with a hope that we can get her away before anyone even knows she's gone. You are trusted friends and wise people. We know you will not share this outside of this room. So, this morning, we first need to make sure we understand all the risks that Elia faces—especially while she's pregnant—and then we would ask for your help to organize this. Today.

"

Gahrye's face went blank. The others all seemed to be feeling some sense of grief or resolve. Elia cleared her throat.

"I want you all to know that while I have no desire to leave Reth, or Anima, at all, I do understand why this is necessary. And I am going to do this willingly. I will not create… problems.

"

Brant cut her an amused look, but she thought she sensed relief there too.

"Tomorrow?

" Candace said, breathlessly.

"That seems very quick.

"

Reth sighed.

"We have a much larger, and more organized enemy than we anticipated. If we learned anything over the past two days, it's that. So we respond to the need, not to our choosing.

"As long as you all understand, we have a lot to do, and it must be done as quickly as possible. So the first task before us is to choose who will accompany Elia as Guardians for her and our child.

"

Elia looked at Gahrye whose eyes widened. He'd been sitting with his arms resting on the table, fairly relaxed. But his fingers tensed, pressing into the tabletop.

"Who… who would you have?

" he asked, and the hope that shone in his eyes made Elia want to weep.

"I would volunteer if… if you would accept a male. And a disformed one, at that,

" he finished gruffly. He didn't like to speak of it.

Elia felt Reth's arm tense. Could smell the dominance rise in him, but he just stared at Gahrye as if he were measuring him. Aymora was the one who spoke first.

"Being disformed in the human world would actually be to your—and our—advantage. No chance of accidentally shifting and creating a scene—or leading humans to our existence.

"

Reth nodded, eyes still locked on Gahrye. Gahrye met his gaze warily, but didn't look away.

"Behryn?

" Reth asked quietly.

Behryn looked between the two of them and shifted in his seat.

"I agree with Aymora. Being disformed would be a unique asset. And Gahrye is strong. While his skills lack finesse, he has been training for much longer than we understood. Against humans—unless they are extremely skilled—he would have no trouble protecting her.

"

"Brant?

" Reth almost snapped. Elia squeezed his fingers again and patted his arm with her other hand.

"I see no better choice,

" Brant said quietly.

"Gahrye is of good heart and has already proven an effective Advisor. Perhaps even more important, he can read the winds for Elia as she might need it.

"

Elia was startled.

"You guys can do that in my world?

"

"Yes,

" Gahrye and Behryn both said at the same time. Then looked at each other with small smiles.

"It isn't a function of our world, but our… souls,

" Behryn said carefully. Gahrye looked at him and nodded.

"That's… good…

" Elia said faintly. Reth squeezed her thigh, then let it go, bringing both hands up above the table. He leaned forward, eyes locked on Gahrye.

"Understand, if you take this trip, I put my mate in your hands. I trust you with her life, and the life of our cub. And… while you are in her company, you do not touch her beyond what is needed for her wellbeing.

"If anything were to happen to her, I would hold you personally responsible. Is that a role you welcome, Gahrye of the thunder herd?

"

"Yes,

" Gahrye said without hesitation, his jaw tight.

"I care about Elia deeply—as a sister, or an aunt,

" he hurried to say when Reth began to growl.

"I would choose to watch over her, rather than leave it to others.

"

Everyone looked at Reth, whose jaw was twitching. Elia put a hand to his arm, but didn't speak. He had to find his way to this himself. She knew Gahrye was the right choice. But he needed to see it.

"I will agree,

" he said finally.

"On one condition.

"