RETH

"Because of the danger to her and her cub, and her weakened state, Elia needed a great deal of support for her travels. Thankfully, the Creator spurred me to also assign her Advisor, Gahrye of the Thunder Tribe to accompany her. Because of his companion's death, the full responsibility for the wellbeing of the Queen was landed on his shoulders. He endured injury, danger, and trial, and still found a way to return her to us safely.

"Anima, Gharye has sacrificed both his own safety, and his own needs to return your Queen to you, along with our cub, still safe in her belly. As your King, and as a male… I acknowledge my debt to him. Please join me in honoring Gahrye of the Thunder Tribe.

"

The tables on the right side of the market, full of disformed, exploded with cheers, applause, and calls—howls and coughs, roars, and shrill keens.

Gahrye's eyes went wide and he turned to see all of the people, the entire market, on their feet.

Reth's heart expanded as the people truly celebrated—not only Gahrye, a disformed, but his own mate. A human, as far as they knew.

For the first time in months he had true hope, true excitement about where the Anima could go, what kind of society they could become.

He joined the people in raising applause, and added his roar to those already echoing out of the market and into the WildWood.

The expression on Gahrye's face was almost comical, but Reth appreciated when he saw Gahrye find his people—the disformed who were without doubt the most enthusiastic in their celebrations—and acknowledged them.

Interestingly, Reth observed as he scanned the people, searching for those who might dissent or showed their dissatisfaction with celebrating these… instead he found the wolves celebrating with more enthusiasm than most—even embracing some of the other disformed.

That gave him pause. Was it possible the wolves had evolved further in this than other tribes in their prejudices? He resolved to ask Suhle about her experience.

He raised his hands then to bring the market back to calm, though there was a low murmur of voices as everyone discussed Gahrye and Elia.

"There are two things I wish for the people of Anima to witness this evening,

" Reth said, his voice deep and somber.

"Gahrye gave me, as Elia's mate and your King, a blood vow. I wish to acknowledge his fulfillment of that vow, and release him from its bounds. His life is no longer forfeit to my whim—and I commend his conduct in it. Please, Anima, bear witness.

"

Reth drew the knife out of his belt and sliced it across his palm, then offered it to Gahrye who, with trembling fingers, took it and did the same.

The Market thundered their approval.

*****

GAHRYE

It was surreal watching so many people stare at him and cheer. Calling in their tribes, applauding. He was so accustomed to suspicion, or dismissal. It was suddenly extremely uncomfortable to be under so many eyes at the same time.

But as he scanned the market and nodded to the Outsiders, who looked like they were about to wet themselves with joy, Kalle's gentle face flashed across his mind.

"My favorite,

" she'd whispered to him one night between the sheets, her hands exploring his chest and abdomen, and more.

"You are such a good man, Gahrye. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm so glad you're mine.

"

He'd been so humbled, so afraid she would see deeper in him and then realize how wrong she was. But she never had.

And now… now imagining her pride—the way she would have sat at that table with the Outsiders and cheered, waved her fists in the air and made as much noise as her small frame could produce… his throat pinched. He swallowed.

Then Reth announced that he was releasing him from the blood vow and Garhye almost lost his feet.

To his shocked amazement, Reth cut his own hand, then handed him that blade and as Gahrye took his—his fingers shaking—something within him unraveled. A tension he hadn't realized he'd carried. Because while that vow was in place, Reth had rights to destroy him, utterly, for any perceived failing.

And Gahrye was about to betray his trust entirely.

A thought which sucked all the wind out of his proverbial sails.

He didn't deserve all of this that Reth was giving him. He was about to begin lying and…

He sliced his palm, then took Reth's offered hand and they clasped, squeezing, allowing their blood to mingle in a completion of the vow when it was given.

The market erupted so loudly, Gahrye wanted to wince.

"Well done, son,

" Reth said quietly.

"You're a good male.

"

Gahrye swallowed his guilt.

"Thank you.

"

"I know you aren't accustomed to this kind of recognition,

" he said below the level of the cheers that buffeted them,

"but trust me, while a few will be jealous and attempt to bring you down, ignore them. Enjoy the admiration of your peers, and your people. Let them see what you've done, and that they should follow your example.

"

Gahrye almost corrected him, but Reth had let go of his hand and turned to address the people again.

"Hear your King, Anima. We walk into a new age. An age of understanding and peace. An age of unity and humility. Citizens like Gahrye are an example to all of us, and so I honor this male tonight and before you I vow that the craftsmen will be commissioned to open a Great Tree for the pleasure of Gahrye of the Thunder Tribe so that it might be enjoyed by him and his offspring and ancestors for generations to come.

"

The disformed lost their minds, while the rest of the market applauded and called their approval.

Gahrye gaped.

Reth was going to build him his own Tree House?

"From this day forward, the Thunder Tribe walks with pride for their brother, Gahrye!

"

Gahrye almost fell over as the Equines leapt to their feet, celebrating their brother… who had just raised their tribe to the most powerful among the Anima, with the exception of the Pride itself.

**** WIN BIG PRIZES AT THE END OF THIS BOOK! ****

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