n

n

nRETH

nAymora topped Elia by more than a head, but though Reth could smell the fear spike in Elia, she didn't back away.

n

"You think it's your place to tell me what to do with this man who I have served and protected since he was a cub?

" Aymora said in a voice too low.

n

"Yes,

" Elia replied.

"He's my mate. I won't see you—or anyone else—talk down to him like he's a child when he's the King.

"

n

"What about when he has been a very stubborn and stupid King?

" Aymora said through her teeth.

n

"Then I will make sure he knows it,

" Elia snapped back.

"Just like he'll tell me when I'm wrong.

"

nReth looked back and forth between them, his mouth open. He feared Aymora's wrath—she could make things very difficult for Elia if she chose to—but he was aroused by Elia's strength, her courage to step between him and what she thought was an attack.

nHe'd have to explain to her what Aymora's role was in the pride, and that she would never have spoken this way to him publicly. Well, at least, not quite.

nHe watched Aymora, uncertain how she would react to this show of strength from such an inexperienced mate. But after staring Elia down for two more breaths, a slow smile bloomed on Aymora's face. She turned to Reth and tipped her head at Elia.

"I get it now,

" she said with a wink.

"Good luck, son. She has your mother's spirit.

" And she cackled laughter all the way across the room as she packed up her things. Reth suddenly felt very uneasy.

n

"Elia, well done. I'm glad to see Reth will have someone on his side when the women's council meet. He's always been far too lenient with us. After everything has… settled down, I'll take you with me and introduce you. I can't wait for you to meet Huncer.

" And she cackled again, before patting Reth's face.

"Be careful today. Take the tonic at dinner. And for the Creator's sake, take your mate as soon as your body is capable.

"

nReth raised an eyebrow at her.

"Are you trying to say—

"

n

"Oh, pffft. Don't start,

" the older female said, patting his cheek again.

"I'll come by this evening to make sure all is well before you… rest.

"

nThen she walked out.

nReth turned, smiling, to Elia, who still stood in the same place, her mouth open, but confusion written all over her face. He crawled out of the furs to walk over to her, careful of his ribs as he pulled her into his chest and kissed her hair.

"You are going to be the best Queen Anima has ever known,

" he said into her hair.

n*****

nELIA

nShe wasn't sure what she'd expected out of this day, but it wasn't endless meetings and a house full of massive men. She sat by, quietly at first, when Behryn and the others arrived, assuming they were going to fill Reth in on something, or get a decision from him. But the men settled down in the greatroom, Reth on one of the lounge chairs, and every time a handful left, a new group would arrive.

nShe ran to get him drinks and food as he was able to throw it down between discussions, but in truth, she contributed nothing except to make sure his care wasn't forgotten.

nShe was stunned at the variety and complexity of the issues he addressed—confidently, and in most cases, with good humor. It wasn't until the middle of the afternoon, when the security council arrived—all older men, two or three from each tribe from what she could tell, though she was still struggling to pick out the herd animal tribes.

nThings became very serious, very quickly. Each of the men stood in front of Reth and clapped a fisted hand across their chest, bowing their heads and saying,

"My loyalty to my King,

" as they entered.

nReth accepted their statements, but his face was serious.

nWhen about fourteen or fifteen men had arrived, Reth looked around the room, then to Behryn.

"When are the wolves arriving?

"

nElia blinked and looked at the men. But he was right, none of them had the right build, or that predatory air of the wolves. She swallowed hard. She hadn't thought about seeing them again. But of course she would. And others like them.

n

"In an hour. The elders understand, though they aren't happy about it,

" Behryn replied.

nReth muttered something she couldn't quite catch, but his tone said it all.

"I admit the events of last night touch closely on my own life and hearth, so I'll submit to the Council's judgment. But before Elia tells you what she experienced, I ask you to consider not only her position as my mate, but as Queen of the Anima.

"

nThe men looked at each other and shifted. Reth's jaw twitched, but he didn't say anything. One of the men that Elia thought was a bird, due to his long features and quick, sudden movements, stood.

"We, the elders, recognize the Queen, however, much of our people remain… uncertain,

" he said to Reth, then sat down again.

nReth muttered a curse and shifted in his seat—was his pain increasing?—but he just reached out a hand for her and pulled her to his side.

"Elia, please tell the men what happened last night in your own words. The events from the moment you left the Market, please.

"

nShe swallowed, but turned to the men and kept her voice clear and firm, like she'd seen Reth doing all day.

"I was walking out of the market in the opposite direction to everyone else and it was very busy. Everyone was going to the reading…

" she recounted all that had happened—with the forest going quiet around her, then the movements and shadows, the eyes, and the way the wolves seemed to disappear and reappear around her so she couldn't be sure how many there were. Then she ran and they stopped her before she could get to the clearing.

n

"They told me they were going to kill me,

" she said.

nReth growled.

"It was only by the Creator's grace that I was there in time,

" he snarled.

"I literally backhanded the female out of the air—she'd launched her attack.

"

nThe elders shook their heads and looked at each other, murmuring in their groups. Reth let them talk, but took Elia's hand and stroked it with his thumb. She was glad for the contact, remembering how frightened she'd been last night was more unsettling than she'd expected.

nThey sat, quietly, watching the others until the same man stood and faced them.

"We would like to hear from the Queen,

" he intoned.

nReth tensed and she wondered why.

n

"She's already told you her story,

" Reth said through his teeth.

nThe man nodded.

"And yet, given her position, we would like to know: What does she think we should do with the wolves?

"

nThe men all nodded and turned to look at Elia, who suddenly felt like a worm under the eyes of a flock of sparrows.

nReth growled in his chest.

n