n

n

nRETH

nHe'd shocked her.

nHe and Elia stared at each other, both of them tense and poised, like prey hidden in the grass, aware of a predator nearby and waiting to see if it would pounce.

nElia was clearly overcome with the idea of sentencing Gahrye to time apart from his mate. And he loved her for her compassion. But Reth was far more concerned about how her lip kept pulling back from her teeth, than the fact that they were arguing.

nShe needed to calm down.

n

"Elia,

" he said, as reasonably as he could,

"I'm not without feeling. But you weren't here. You don't understand. I do not wish grief on Gahrye—especially not since he's done such a good work in keeping you safe and getting you back here. But I wasn't aware of his situation, and I made a vow to Gawhr. He leads the bears and he can be erratic even at the best of times. I can't just break my word because it's now inconvenient.

"

nThe look on her face gave him pause—horror, shock, betrayal… She felt that he was betraying her?

n

"Elia, please—

"

n

"I have to talk to Gahrye,

" she said.

"Right now.

"

n

"You need to rest. We don't even know where he is.

"

n

"I need to talk to him!

" she growled.

nShe really growled.

nReth's instincts kicked in and he paused, his beast lashing its tail in warning, but he shook it off.

nHis heart was beating to quickly, and she was breathing too fast. They both needed to calm down. And she needed to rest. But clearly, there was also an issue to be addressed with Gahrye.

n

"I will make a deal with you,

" he said quietly.

"You go to sleep and I will ask the Sentries to send a messenger out to find Gahrye. When he gets here, if you're awake, I'll bring him to you. If not, I'll ask him to stay until you are able to speak with him.

"

n

"I'm not going to be able to sleep knowing that we're banishing Gahrye to a life without his mate!

" Her eyes flashed her beast's and ice slid down Reth's spine.

n

"Elia, you need to calm down,

" he breathed, no longer angry, now afraid. For her.

n

"I can't calm down! You're separating my best friend from his True Mate—and you aren't even sorry about it!

"

n

"Of course I'm sorry about it! I already said—

"

n

"You said you can and you will! There's no… there's…

" Her fingers clawed into the furs and her eyes remained golden.

nThe hair on the back of Reth's neck stood up. Her body was trying to shift, despite the tonic.

nWas it already time for more? What time had they given it that morning? He needed to get Aymora here, now.

n

"Elia—

" he said quietly.

n

"Don't talk to me like I'm a child!

" she snarled.

n

"I'm not! I'm talking to you like someone who has more than just herself to think of. Think of Elreth, and think of me: You are at risk of shifting, Elia, do you realize that?!

"

nShe blinked and her lip curled again, but then her face fell and the golden glow left her eyes.

"I… what?

"

n

"It's okay, you're safe. You're here. You're with me, Elia. And we're going to get help. It must be time for more of the tonic. But until we can get it, you need to stay calm okay?

"

n

"I don't want to shift again, Reth,

" she said, her voice too high, but still tense. It broke his heart.

n

"You won't,

" he reassured her.

"Just keep breathing and relax. Keep your mind on something good. Something that calms you.

"

n

"You calm me… usually,

" she added darkly.

n

"Elia, good thoughts. Calming thoughts. Breathe.

"

nShe nodded and closed her eyes, letting herself lay back down. She took deep breaths and didn't open her eyes.

"Get Aymora, please.

"

nReth didn't need to be asked twice. He whipped himself off the sleeping platform and darted through the cave to the sentries outside—the two closest, right at the opening of the cave mouth, both watching the meadow, but smiles fading from their faces as if they'd just shared a joke and now were returning to their work.

n

"Get Aymora, now!

" he snarled from behind them.

nThey both leapt to face him, took one look at his thunderous face, then one of them sprinted into the meadow, while the other stepped into the center of the cave mouth.

n

"We have a… a system. They'll get word to her right away.

"

nReth nodded once, his jaw hard as rock, he clenched his teeth so hard he thought he might crack one.

"Have them locate her Advisor, also, Gahrye. Tell him to attend the Queen immediately.

"

nThe Sentry saluted, then darted off, calling for his brothers to watch the cave mouth. Reth waited only long enough to make sure new guards were moving into position before he ran back into the cave and to the bedroom, sighing with relief when he saw Elia on the furs, still in human form.

n

"They'll find Aymora—and Gahrye—and bring them as soon as they can,

" he said grimly, crawling up onto the furs with her to take her hand. Her hand was trembling, and her jaw kept twitching.

"Hold on, Elia,

" he pleaded.

"Just hold on. Breathe.

"

n

"Don't leave me, please, Reth,

" she said in a shaky voice.

n

"I never will, Love, you know that.

"

n

"But you did once, sending me through. And I'm still afraid,

" she said, her voice getting tighter and more breathless.

n

"I'm so sorry, Elia. So sorry. It will never happen again. I vow it to you. I'll never push you away again. Now… breathe and remember… remember Elreth. Remember our lives together and how we will live happily now. We're together now. That's what matters.

"

nShe nodded and kept breathing deeply, holding his hand so tightly it hurt.

nShe didn't speak again and Reth didn't either, afraid he might say the wrong thing and set her off.. So instead, he leaned his forehead on their clasped hands and prayed.

n