n

n

nRETH

nHe woke at daylight—he could smell the warmth on the grass outside, though it was still pitch black in their room. He was delighted to find his arms were still curled around Elia and she was snuggled into his chest. He stroked her back and her hair to wake her.

nShe blinked and stretched, her breasts pressing against the wisp of a sleep shirt she wore. Reth swallowed hard, but didn't have too much trouble fighting back the shift. The tonic was working.

n

"Good morning,

" he said, his voice rough with sleep.

n

"Is it?

" she asked, looking around.

"It's still so dark.

"

n

"Give it a few seconds. The lights will come on soon.

" Sure enough, as he finished speaking the first of the lanterns flared to life next to the door, then one by one, the eight around the room each flared, then began to glow.

nElia's eyes went wide.

"I wondered how they got lit each morning!

"

n

"It's actually an idea we borrowed from the human world—we grind a manual generator in the city each morning and it sends a current along the wires that ignite each one. Then they can be blown out at night when you wish.

"

nElia shook her head and smiled.

"This place is amazing.

"

nReth grinned.

"It's why you fit so well—

" his romantic gesture was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. Elia yelped, then realized she was dressed, and rolled away from him in the furs. He rolled his eyes and stayed where he was.

n

"Come in, Aymora,

" he called, letting his voice trail into a growl at the end of her name.

nThe woman swung the door open and strode in, taking them in with a quick glance and sniffed the air.

"Not healed enough yet? Then you'll need more of the tonic. Have you given it to him yet, Elia?

"

n

"I, uh, we just woke up—

"

n

"You cannot leave it to wear off, it's too risky.

" She picked up the bottle and spoon from the drawers in the corner and brought them over to Reth, pouring it as she stood next to the sleeping platform.

"Open up, Gareth,

" she sniggered.

nReth groaned, but did as he was told, swallowing both spoonfuls with a grimace and shaking his head, then sitting up. The furs fell to his waist, baring him to the warm light. He sucked in his stomach and hoped Elia noticed.

n

"How's your pain?

" Aymora asked, peeling the bandages on his side back and checking the wound.

"You're healing nicely.

"

n

"It still hurts when I move, but not as badly as it did last night,

" he said, twisting his body slowly, and raising his arm on that side.

"I'll be fine tomorrow.

"

nElia snorted.

"Right. Didn't you say a rib was broken? That'll take weeks.

"

n

"Not in Anima,

" Aymora and Reth both said at the same time. Reth grinned.

nElia's mouth fell open.

"Seriously?

"

nReth nodded. Aymora checked his eyes, pressed on the rib until he winced, and moved his arm in several circles.

n

"I think as long as you don't shift today, you'll be fine tomorrow, as you said,

" she said. Then sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging.

n

"Thank you, Aymora,

" Reth said, putting a hand to her shoulder.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with that—

"

n

"As you should be!

" she snapped, coming to life, her eyes flashing.

nElia's mouth dropped open, but Reth had known Aymora was just waiting to make sure he was okay before she was going to tear him to strips. Since his mother passed away, she'd taken the role of overseer in his life, and she took it seriously. His mother had been her best friend.

n

"I meant my apology, Mother,

" Reth said softly, using her title and rubbing her upper arm. But she shook him off and began to pace the room.

n

"You cannot allow this to happen again, Reth! We have no idea how it's affecting you to be on the edge of the shift for so long—not to mention, taking the tonic as an adult. I've never tested in for more than a single dose on anyone as mature as you!

"

n

"I know—

"

n

"I don't think you do: I tried to warn you at the Rite and you wouldn't listen. The men have tried to warn you—you cannot simply change the laws of nature to suit your whims!

"

n

"I know, really, Aymora, Elia and I spoke last night—

"

n

"Does Elia know the histories? Can she tell you the chaos that occurred last time we had a human Queen? Can she teach you how to navigate the disapproval of the tribes?

"

n

"No, I need you and the Elders for that. I just meant—

"

n

"You meant that once again, you would simply make your own way and hope for the best? Even though this has put your life at risk—not to mention Elia's? Are you listening, Reth? Or will you remain the mouse-brained cub, too proud of his own, newly-dropped balls to realize that he's putting lives—and Kingdoms—at risk?

"

nReth slumped, hands in his lap and shoulders down.

"I know. I do. And I will listen, Mother. I will. But we are here now. So we must make the best of what's come so far.

"

n

"I hear words, you cuckold, but I don't see action. What I see is a King in his prime, reduced to half his strength because he was too stubborn to ask questions, or tell anyone what he faced!

"

nHe nodded,

"You're right.

"

n

"Of course I am, I—

"

n

"Wait just a damn minute!

" Elia snapped.

"That's enough!

"

nReth's eyes went wide and he whipped his head around to look at her where she stood, just feet from Aymora, hands on her hips, glaring at the older woman, who was staring daggers back at her.

n

"He's made a mistake, sure. And he obviously needs to listen to what you know—we both do. So you can correct him, even discipline him, but do not speak down to him! He is your King, and everything he's done has been either to help me, or the people as he well as he knew how. His heart is good—I don't care what position you hold in the city, or the pride, or whatever, don't humiliate my mate and make him beg for your forgiveness when he does nothing but serve you people!

"

nAymora stalked over until she and Elia were toe-to-toe, and Reth's entire body went tense.

n