RETH

"Gawhr, what are you doing?

"

"I am freeing your Queen's Advisor so he may join his comrades in evil,

" Gawhr growled.

Reth's heart pounded, then stopped, then pounded again and he gasped, reaching for the huge man—but unwilling to lay hands on him because the bears would see that as a declaration of war.

"Please, Gawhr, let him go. He's been beaten. He's weak.

"

"And he will pay the price for his stupidity—as will you, and your Queen. Perhaps in this you will understand, finally, the heat of the fire that you play with!

"

They passed into the cave, their voices echoing in the stone chamber, but Gawhr was single minded, dragging Gahrye as if he were little more than a child.

"Gawhr, please. Let's talk this through. It doesn't have to mean war for us—

"

"The bears own the Portal, Reth, or do you attempt to go back on your word in that agreement as well?

Reth groaned.

"No, but—

"

"The land is forfeit until such time as we determine we are not needed here. If any of your people try to enter, the bears will take them. Do not push us to war, Reth, you will lose!

"

"No, Gawhr, PLEASE!

"

But they'd reached the side tunnel and Gawhr, with a low snarl, took a running start towards the portal, throwing Gahrye into it—only to have him slam into its shimmering surface with a cry, then slide to the floor of the cave.

Gawhr gaped at him.

*****

ELIA

Elia shoved her breath through her teeth, her lips pursed, tears drying on her cheeks.

"You're doing well, Elia,

" Aymora said, her voice more gentle and calm than Elia had heard her in months.

"Keep going. It will be over soon.

"

It had been two hours since Reth left and she was becoming increasingly shaky, terrified that war was beginning again on the horizon, her mind spinning—when she wasn't consumed with pain.

She sobbed then as the contraction eased. Aymora began to mop her brow with a cool, damp cloth, while Jayah bustled around her middle, listening to Elreth's heart and making notes on a small parchment she'd produced from her bag.

"The contractions are coming every four minutes,

" Jayah said quietly.

"And the baby's head is engaged.

"

"Human or cub?

"

"Human right now,

" Jayah said, pressing on Elia's stomach gently.

Aymora took a deep breath and smiled at Elia.

"That's good, Elia. That's very good news.

"

Elia nodded, still panting from the contraction.

"How much time do we have?

" she asked, swallowed hard.

Aymora frowned.

"I'm not certain. I would guess a few hours yet. But it can be tricky. Things can speed up quickly, or even slow as we get towards the end. All we can do is wait and see what the Creator has in store.

"

Elia's face crumpled. She wished she felt stronger, more ready for this. But she was already exhausted.

"Where's Reth? He needs to be here,

" she wailed.

Aymora shushed her and wiped her brow again, a gentle hand rubbing her arm.

"He will be here. Another hour. You can do this, Elia. And he will return and you will welcome your babe together. Don't worry. Keep your energy for the fight ahead. Don't worry.

"

But Elia couldn't stop worrying—about Reth, about Gahrye, about her own choices. And about this baby.

Please, she prayed. I can't control this. Please… keep them all safe.

*****

RETH

Reth stared at Gahrye, then Gawhr, whose one eye was wide and his brows as high as Reth had ever seen them. Gahrye lay on the ground, groaning, but able to curl himself into a ball.

"Please,

" the equine gasped.

"I don't have selfish ambition. I swear it. The voices are my enemy.

"

Gawhr continued to stare at the male and Reth was at a loss, praying that the Creator had some other kind of miracle up his sleeve to save Gahrye and avert the war.

"Please, Gawhr,

" he murmured,

"Clearly the Creator stood in the way and he isn't supposed to go through. At least, not like this. Please, let us stay in peace.

"

Gawhr turned to look at him, his eyes clouded with confusion and he opened his mouth. But in that moment, a strange call sounded from the cave entrance.

"Gawhr! A messenger for the King!

"

Reth turned at the sound of the bear guards who hadn't followed them in.

"What—?

"

"Let him in!

" Gawhr called, though his eyes remained on Reth.

They waited as light footsteps sprinted up the cave and into the tunnel.

"Sire! Sire! Your mate is having her cub. Aymora said you must come. Now!

"

Reth's heart dropped and stopped, painfully. He turned on Gawhr, fierce and pleading.

"Please, Gawhr,

" he breathed to his old friend.

"Please see that my heart has no anger for you. No desire to breach our agreement. Please…

"

Gawhr's face went flat. He looked down at Gahrye and his forehead pressed into lines.

"Go, Reth. We will not attack you. But there is need for us to discuss this. Soon. I will come to you. Go. Be with your mate. But leave this male for me.

"

Reth, about to run, froze again, then looked at Gahrye, whose face twisted up in pain. Their eyes met, and Reth let the male see the apology on his face.

"Go, Reth,

" Gahrye wheezed.

"Don't tell her about this. Tell her… tell her I got through.

"

Reth frowned, but Gawhr growled, and he put up his hands and backed away.

"Please, Gawhr. Have mercy. I beg you.

"

Then he reached the end of the tunnel and swallowed.

"My prayers carry you, Gahrye,

" he muttered, then turned and ran.

*****

GAHRYE

He listened to Reth's footsteps sprint up the cave, turning to four-footed paws before he'd left the stony ground. He was gone in seconds, and Gahrye, his breath coming short and fast because it hurt too much to breathe deeply, turned back to the huge, one-eyed bear.

He swallowed as Gawhr leaned down until they were almost nose to nose.

"You didn't tell me you were disformed,

" he growled.