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nRETH

nHe could feel her breasts pressed against his back, and desire rose in him like a fire in his belly. As soon as he had her secure and began to move, the crowd turned to face them.

nThe fight to leave the ceremony was traditional—and supposed to be little more than play. But Reth noticed more than one face set in disapproval, or anger—and more than one wolf snuck an elbow or fist to his ribs hard enough to leave a bruise.

nElia buried her face in his neck and just held on.

nIt only took a couple minutes for him to break through the circling mass and reach the edge of the fire's light, and the smoke. When he did, he turned and roared and his people answered—mostly with genuine excitement. Then he turned for the path to his cave, made eye-contact with Behryn as he stepped out of the smoke, and started to jog through the trees.

nHis head cleared immediately, but he could feel Elia's shaking increase the closer they got to the cave and for the first time it occurred to him that the smoke might affect a human differently than it did the Anima. He prayed she wasn't overcome and made a mental note to have one of the guards call a healer if her head didn't clear soon.

nIt was only minutes until he rounded the crevice in the mountain and his clearing opened up before them. He considered putting her down there, but in truth, he was enjoying the way she clung to his neck. And the way she was trembling, he wondered whether she'd be able to keep her feet without help.

nSo after a quick turn to lock eyes with Behryn and make sure the fist were in place to guard the cave, he ducked under the lip of the cave mouth and stepped inside. He didn't let Elia down until they'd made it to the greatroom and he could slide her onto the wide benchseat in front of the fire.

nWhen she was seated, he knelt in front of her touching her face to test for fever—but really just because he wanted to touch her.

nShe continued to tremble in waves, but her eyes were clear—and free of tears, for which he was grateful. She had been through a lot.

nThen she met his eyes and there was something in her gaze that raised his hackles and made him want to growl, to check for an intruder. But when he moved to stand up, to turn and look, she put a hand to his face and whispered,

"No, don't go anywhere.

"

nHe froze, still kneeling in front of her, searching her eyes that were red from the smoke, but not badly so. When she didn't speak, he cupped her face again.

"Are you okay?

"

nShe nodded.

"I shouldn't be. But I am. I feel… safe when you're close, Reth,

" she whispered.

"What's happening to me? Why do I feel like I know I can trust you? I don't even know you! Was there something in that smoke that—

"

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"Shhhhh, no, sweet one. It heightens your senses, relaxes you. But it doesn't change you. I promise. You haven't been tricked. Is your head clear now? Can you think?

"

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"Yes,

" she breathed, staring at her own fingers as she curled them, her nails catching on the stubble on his jaw.

"That's why I'm wondering… the way I feel… the way I'm thinking… it doesn't make sense.

"

nReth chuckled and her eyes flashed. He could smell desire spike in her and resolved to chuckle far more often in her company.

"I told you to follow your instincts,

" he said quietly.

"That's all you're doing.

"

nHer breathing picked up, though he doubted she'd know he was aware of it. She blinked and swallowed, then moved her hand to his bare chest, her fingers trailing from his jaw to the flat spot right over his heart—and she followed them with her eyes.

nReth's breathing may have picked up a little bit under her touch, too.

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"Why did you choose me?

" she asked, hushed, then brought her eyes up to meet his.

nReth went very still. It was an opportunity to tell her of their history, to give her the gratitude she was due for the kindness and love she'd shown a young and frightened Heir to the throne. And again, he almost spoke the words.

nBut the lines in her forehead spoke of the stress she still felt.

nThe shadows in her eyes shouted her questions.

nAnd her human nature—usually so cynical and suspicious of anything outside the realm of their familiar order—would tell her it was impossible that he hadn't known they were bringing her. Though it was true.

nNo, she needed to know Anima better—know him better—before he explained that.

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