n

n

nELIA

nA huge, snarling lion landed on the dirt in front of her, just as the wolf-woman pounced. For the second time since arriving in Anima, Elia had a moment of seeing her death reach for her, followed by a shocking interruption.

nThe wolf-woman yelped as the lion cuffed her from the air and she tumbled to the dirt. Within seconds this creature had all three of the wolves bowing, eyes down, no more arrogant swagger, no more sharp promises for her fate.

nBut then this…. thing turned on her and Elia's heart leapt into her throat. Pounding feet behind her announced yet more arrivals, but Elia was held, frozen in the golden gaze of this massive animal. But she recognized Behryn's voice behind her when he spoke.

n

"Elia, it's Reth. He's just… it's Reth!

"

nElia blinked.

nThe eyes. Those deep, golden eyes that she'd seen the other night in Reth when they were interrupted and Behryn was asking him to come back.

nThis was Reth? This was his beast form? This was what Gahrye meant when he said they all had the ability to change?

nReth groan-huffed and the noise was so deep and resonant in his chest that Elia felt it in the ground under her feet.

n

"Reth?

" she breathed.

nHe huffed again, and it ended in a sound that was almost a purr. He stepped towards her, his massive paw so huge she couldn't have circled it with both her hands. Standing on all fours he looked her in the eye.

nShe trembled as she stepped forward, reaching towards his face.

n

"Elia, no!

" Behryn hissed behind her, but she ignored him.

"He won't—in this form he doesn't think like—

"

nShe shook her head to silence him. There was something in those eyes.

nThis was Reth.

nAnd he knew her.

nShe thought.

n

"Is that really you?

" she breathed, her shaking fingers splayed out.

nHe groaned and pushed his muzzle into her palm, his soft fur and warm skin a shock after the chill of fear.

nShe scratched the side of his face like she used to do to her pet cat, Bessie, when she was a child, and just like Bessie, he leaned into the attention, his eyes closed and lifted his chin for her to scratch underneath.

n

"Reth… you're beautiful… but…

"

nHe snorted out a breath and she felt the force of it on her arm.

nShe swallowed hard.

"Please, come back. I've missed you. Please.

" She sighed as he pulled out of her hand and met her eyes again—his eyes. Those eyes. She couldn't decide whether they were the picture of the warmth of his heart, or the cold darkness of his willingness to kill.

"Please?

"

nHe turned his great head, tail lashing again, and scanned their surroundings. Then, with a glance at her, walked into the clearing properly. Hesitantly, she followed, not certain she was reading him correctly. But once she stood with open air around her, he began to walk a circle, scenting the air and sniffing the ground, huffing every time she started to move.

nBy the third time she put her fists on her waist.

"I'm not going anywhere, I just want to watch you.

"

nHe growled, but it was playful—she thought.

nBehryn and the others first surrounded the young wolves, then to Elia's surprise, sent them off alone, back towards the city. Reth paused in his search to watch them go. But when they came to join her in the clearing, Reth eyed them until they circled her. She couldn't tell if he approved, or not, but he didn't make any noises at them, just continued in larger circles, spiraling out to check the clearing.

n

"She's safe, Reth,

" Behryn called eventually.

"Come back. She's safe.

"

nReth threw a look at Behryn over his shoulder, then disappeared into the trees.

nElia looked at Behryn, who was frowning at the treeline where he'd disappeared.

"What's he doing?

" she asked quietly.

n

"Either he caught a scent he wants to check out, or he doesn't want you to see him transform. But I don't see how… he isn't usually that thoughtful as a beast. We have to be careful with him. His dominance takes over and—

"

nElia gasped as Reth, completely naked, appeared in the moonlight, walking towards them, his body sculpted in silver and shadow. He looked magnificent, though his shoulders were rolled forward and his steps shorter than usual.

"Reth,

" she breathed and ran towards him, throwing her arms around his neck.

nHe grunted, but pulled her into his chest with one arm, swinging her around, then immediately put her down and searched her eyes.

"Are you okay?

" his nostrils flared and he searched her from head to toe, then pulled her back into his chest.

"You're safe, thank the Creator, you're safe,

" he said, his voice heavy with relief.

n

"I'm fine, thanks to you!

" she said into his chest, surprised by the sudden well of emotion that made her throat pinch and eyes blur.

"Reth, that was—

"

n

"Behryn?

" Reth's voice was deep and sharp with disapproval and his eyes shone with anger.

nElia turned to see Behryn, though Reth kept his arm around her and didn't let her step from his side.

nBehryn stepped up, almost to her feet, and knelt in front of her.

"Please forgive me, my Queen,

" he said.

"I failed you.

"

n

"What? You didn't do anything! It was the wolves—

"

n

"They shouldn't have had an opportunity to reach you,

" Reth snarled, his chest heaving as he snorted a breath.

nBehryn paled.

"I left my post and… clearly your plans changed. Please forgive me, Elia. It won't happen again.

"

n

"Of course, you weren't—Reth, he wasn't even with me! How was he supposed to know?

"

nReth spoke to her, but his eyes were hard as flint on his Second.

"He was watching over you, Elia, from a distance, while I was gone. When he learned I'd called for him, he shouldn't have come until he'd made sure the guards were in place. For exactly the reason we just witnessed.

"

nBehryn's shoulders sagged in his bow.

"I beg your forgiveness too, my King.

"

nReth glared at him for a moment and Elia's heart raced. The two were so close! Surely Reth wouldn't let this come between them?

n

"Gareth,

" she hissed and elbowed him. He flinched, which surprised her. She must have caught a rib with her elbow. Before she hadn't even been able to make him move.

nBehryn didn't leave his bow, but his eyes popped up to her in surprise and Reth growled at him. She caught the light of humor in the Equine's gaze before he looked away. Then she turned back to Reth.

n

"You know, if you'd told me that I was supposed to have guards all the time, I wouldn't have started walking back here without them,

" she said quietly, stroking his chest with one hand because she needed to touch him. Though turning to face him reminded her suddenly of just how naked he was. She kept her eyes up on his face, swallowing hard.

nBut Reth still glared at the horse-man and snarled between his teeth,

"Your awareness shouldn't have made an ounce of difference to his job, which was to keep you safe while I was gone!

" he ended in a shout that echoed off the mountain and over the trees.

nAll the equines flinched.

n