ELIA

Elia had never hurt more—in her body—than she had that day. After being in the beast and Reth running her through the forest, she'd thought she would faint from it. But once Aymora put the herbs on her gums, something changed.

It was as if the pain receded. Stepped away, but watched over her. Stood with sharp eyes and talons clenched, waiting for her. She could breathe, and she could speak. But every second her body screamed that it would not endure much longer.

Then Aymora pleaded with her to shift, and Elia tried. She really did. Searching within her for that clawing, snarling beast that had so frightened her—plagued her—for so many months. But it was as if she'd never been… No matter how Elia searched, she couldn't find her. And she kept drifting…

She thought she heard a door open and hushed voices, but it wasn't until Reth squeezed her hand that she jolted awake again to find him staring at her, his forehead lined and eyes pained.

"Elia, I…

"

But Aymora stepped forward and put a hand to his shoulder.

"Reth, I need you out of the way for a moment so that I can reposition Elia to make sure the bleeding isn't pressing on Elreth. Just a minute or two. Look, Behryn and Brant are here… please, step away, just for a minute.

"

Elia blinked. She hadn't thought about the bleeding harming Elreth. She took a breath to demand that Aymora get her out—right now!—but Aymora caught her eye and shook her head. A moment passed between them, and Elia realized… Reth…

He stood over her, his face stunned and vacant. He hadn't let got of her hand—Aymora was prying his fingers free and nudging him back, away from the sleeping platform, into the waiting arms of Brant and Behryn, who took him by the shoulders and turned him, with gentle questions and soft chuckles, to keep his attention.

Then, as soon as they'd gotten Reth a few feet away, Aymora circled to the position he had closer to her, and took Elia's face in her hand.

"This is going to hurt,

" she said, her eyes full of grief and apology.

"But if you can, stay silent. He's… he's at his limit. I don't want him to hurt anyone in defense of you.

"

Elia nodded, her own grief carving a yawning pit in her stomach—and yet, something about the herbs kept her slightly at a distance. As if her grief stood alongside her pain, both of them waiting to greet her.

Then, Aymora took hold of Elia's leg and rolled her onto her back, her hands quick and probing to check Elreth again, then palpate Elia's stomach. Elia tried to stifle the groan, biting her lip and sobbing silently as she breathed quickly, making space for the new pain, but soon Aymora had her legs propped high. Then she listened to Elia's stomach with the cone and her eyes closed again.

"Elia,

" she whispered,

"we don't have much time. Elreth is… distressed.

" Aymora glanced at Jayah and motioned for another pot from the dresser. Jayah brought it to her, but wouldn't meet Elia's eyes. Aymora pinched something between her fingers then held her hand out.

"Open your mouth, Elia, and raise your tongue.

"

Elia did as she was told, then Aymora gently massaged something into the skin under her tongue. When she was done, she handed the pot back to Jayah.

"That will help your pain for only a few minutes, then it will make you sleep. You won't… you won't need to worry about waking up. But once you are asleep, we will have to move quickly.

"

Elia's heart raced even harder if it was possible.

"Elreth… you're going to save her?

"

"Yes,

" Aymora said, and her voice cracked. She swallowed once, then cleared her throat. When she met Elia's eyes again, hers were clear.

"But that means there are only minutes left. You understand?

"

Elia knew she should panic. She was going to die. Very soon. She should have been howling in terror. But instead she only felt grief. Soul-deep grief.

"Thank you,

" she said, her own tears welling so her vision blurred.

"Thank you.

"

"I love you, Elia. I wish we had had more time for me to show you—

"

"You've shown it every day, mother,

" Elia said. Aymora sobbed.

"Thank you.

"

Aymora leaned over her, carefully circling Elia's head in her arms and kissing her temple.

"You are the best kind of female,

" Aymora whispered into her ear.

"And I am proud to have had you for my daughter.

"

Elia sobbed, but it made her stomach hurt, so she blew out a breath and squeezed Aymora as best as she could. Then turned her head.

Aymora straightened, then, with a watery smile, turned to find Reth at the side of the room, still being distracted by Behryn and Brant.

His eyes were wide and haunted. He'd just said something to Brant, but the two males turned when Aymora approached behind them and urged them to let Reth through.

*****

RETH

In the back of his mind he knew that Brant and Behryn were keeping him away, that Aymora was doing something to help Elia and that his brothers were trying to save him from facing the pain. But he couldn't think clearly to know how to dodge it… to know what…

When Aymora appeared behind his brothers, her face was lined and pale. Behryn turned first and Aymora indicated he should move aside for Reth to come through.

But before Reth could push past her to Elia, she took his arm in her hand and met his eyes.

"I've given her something that's going to make her sleep soon so that we can manipulate her and try to bring Elreth out. The pain will be… too much. So, she is clear headed now and her pain is easing. But you have only a few minutes before she begins to sleep. You understand?

"

Reth nodded, unable to make any words.

"No, Reth… I need to make sure you understand… She will fall asleep, and she likely will not wake.

"

His mind screamed, battering like his beast, demanding release, demanding relief. But he shoved it aside, pushed beyond the thought.

His mate was awake and her pain was easing. He needed to speak with her. The rest… the rest he could face later. Right now he needed to show his love and trust that the Creator kenw something he didn't.

"I understand,

" he muttered, then pushed past Aymora, to the sleeping platform, crawling onto it to lay with his Love as Aymora ushered the others out of the room and shut the door.