ELIA

Reth growled low in his chest and his fingers tightened on hers.

"What the **?

"

Behryn gave him a warning look.

"Listen, Reth, the birds saw it—Gawhr was awake and roaring at someone, dragging them out of the portal cave. That was almost an hour ago.

"

Reth cursed again.

"Why am I only hearing about this now?

"

"Because I was busy with **ing guards and only heard about it after the alarm was raised—when I was already running from my home!

"

Elia wasn't sure what had happened between the two of them, but Reth and Behryn were both glaring at each other. Her heart raced. She didn't want to let go of Reth, didn't want to be apart from him. But she was feeling better and… and if Gawhr had caught Gahrye, she needed him to go soothe the bear, explain to him…

"Reth,

" she said uncertainly.

"Don't worry, Elia, I'm not going anywhere.

"

"No, Reth, you have to.

"

He finally looked away from Behryn to stare at her worriedly.

"I'm not leaving you right now.

"

"You have to,

" she said, sighing and trying to look stronger than she felt.

"I'm doing better now—

" she saw Aymora's lips go tight and prayed her adoptive mother wouldn't say anything,

"—and I think… I think Gawhr must have caught Gahrye.

"

Reth's eyes widened.

"What?

" The word was low and flat, brimming with shock and stifled rage.

"

"Please, Reth…

" she whispered.

"I'm sorry. He was so miserable, and I know how that feels. I couldn't… I couldn't keep him here. I told him to be careful. But he must have… he must have gotten too close or something.

"

"You told him to go?! After everything I told you! The war, Elia!

"

"I know, I know, I'm sorry—

"

"This is not the time, Reth,

" Aymora said sharply, and they both cut off.

Reth was staring at her, horror, anger, and grief painted on every line of his gorgeous face. She wished she could push herself up to sit, to take his face in her hands, to pull him close and beg for his forgiveness. But she was scared to move in case her contractions started again.

Behryn watched the two of them, obviously measuring whether or not Reth would do as Behryn thought he should.

Then Reth shivered, his entire body vibrating for a single second, and he closed his eyes, bringing his free hand up to rub his eyes. Elia squeezed his other hand again, pleading with him silently to forgive her—and to forgive Gahrye.

"Gahrye,

" he said quietly.

"And Gawhr found him.

"

She swallowed hard, but her mouth was still dry.

"You can tell him, Reth. Explain about the mates—that he brought me back so you didn't have to cross, and… and that he needed to get back to his—

"

"Get a fist prepared,

" Reth said to Behryn, his voice dark and sharp.

"Hell, get an entire battalion. All equine and pride—we need to get out there as quickly as possible. But warn them they aren't to touch anyone unless I give the word. The bears make a lot of noise and threats. That's not when you need to worry about them. Tell them to watch me and follow my cues, and they do NOT fight unless I give the order.

"

Behryn nodded tightly, then looked down at Elia, put one hand to her leg under the furs and said,

"We're both praying for your safe delivery.

" Then he was gone.

Reth didn't look at her for a moment and her stomach went cold. Was he so angry that he wouldn't—but then he finally looked down at her, and his eyes were sad. So sad.

"Aymora, can you and Jayah give us a minute please?

"

Both women immediately left the room, Aymora turning only to close the door behind her, their footsteps fading down the tunnel outside.

Elia took a deep breath.

"Reth, I'm so sorry—

"

"I'm going to do my best to be back here in a couple of hours,

" he said quietly, pushing himself down to lay next to her, cupping her face, his eyes bright and tired and so, so sad.

"And I'm going to do everything in my power to save Gahrye. But… you have to understand, Elia… the entire WildWood is at risk now.

"

She nodded.

"I'm sorry. I thought he could get out without them knowing he'd been there.

"

Reth closed his eyes and sighed.

"Are you certain your contractions have stopped?

"

"Yes,

" she said firmly, telling herself it was true.

"I want you to go help Gahrye and calm Gawhr down. I mean it, Reth. You have to.

"

He grunted, then opened his eyes again and stared at her. When he spoke, he whispered.

"Please be safe, Elia. Please. It will be a couple of hours. Three at the most. Please… be safe. Don't move. Don't do anything. Just wait for me.

"

"I will,

" she said, her eyes swimming with tears again. She put a hand to his face.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Worry about the bears. Go… do what you do, Reth. Make him see. Calm the storm. I'll still be here when you come back.

"

The words rung in the room like a struck bell and they stared at each other.

Reth opened his mouth, and she was so afraid that he would put voice to her fears, that she pulled his face in and kissed him, deeply, whimpering.

When she pulled back, she whispered,

"I don't regret it, Reth. I can never regret a second with you.

"

He held her tightly, his breath heaving in his great chest, then he kissed her hair and murmured his love, before rolling off the sleeping platform and starting for the door.

As he opened it he turned and smiled at her.

"You're still beautiful, Love. Just… keep breathing, okay?

"

"I will,

" she said, forcing herself to smile back, and only allowing the tears to come when the door closed behind him and she could hear him whispering with Aymora further down the tunnel.