n

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nELIA

nWhen Reth disappeared from the market with the other men, Elia was at a loss again. Why did this keep happening? Why was he always taken from her?

nShe turned, uncertain where to go, and found Candace behind her, grinning.

n

"Where are they going?

" she asked.

nCandace shrugged.

"That's one tradition I know nothing about it. It happens every time one of those men mates, but they don't tell us what they're doing.

"

n

"Alpha-male bull**.

" The words were muttered to Elia's right and she turned. Aymora stood, arms folded, glowering in the direction the men had disappeared.

"They hide off in some little cave they discovered as cubs and beat their chests and roar, and decide they're big, strong men because they keep secrets,

" she snorted.

"They all crawl back in later looking sheepish.

" She waved a hand.

"They do it every time one of them mates—as if they just discovered the practice, or something.

"

nElia bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"Why didn't they do it after the Flames and smoke then?

" she asked, curiously.

nAymora looked at her evenly.

"Because in Anima, mates aren't truly recognized until their scents entwine. Which happens after they… consummate.

"

nElia flushed, her cheeks going hot. She wanted to hide her face.

"For a minute I'd forgotten that everyone in this place is… I mean, that they can tell…

" she mumbled, rubbing her temples.

"This is so embarrassing.

"

nAymora frowned.

"Embarrasing? Why? Everyone mates eventually. Why would they mock you for doing the same?

"

n

"No, not that, I just mean… that people know… Nevermind,

" she finished lamely as the woman only looked more confused. But Aymora sighed and seemed to shake her confusion off.

"Don't let it concern you, girl. The men have… you would call it a secret society, I believe? But it's really little more than men playing at being boys and making themselves feel important. The real work today will be done by the females. Are you ready?

"

n

"Ready for what?

" Elia asked.

n

"To meet the Women's Council. They're eager to get to know their Queen. We spoke about this, remember?

"

nElia looked at her, speechless for a moment.

"Oh, right. I mean, I guess? I didn't realize—

"

n

"Don't worry, girl. Nothing is going to happen to you. Women work with their wits, not their fists. Most of the time,

" she grinned, and the expression looked so odd on her usually sour face, Elia wasn't sure whether to smile back.

n

"Well, then, sure,

" Elia said.

"Can I grab something to eat first?

"

nAymora winked.

"You won't want to—we have the best baker in the city and she made butter cakes this morning.

"

n

"In that case, let's go!

" Elia said, trying to sound upbeat and not let on how nervous she suddenly felt. As if she could tell, Candace squeezed her shoulder, then waved as they moved away.

nElia wasn't sure what she'd expected about going with Aymora, but it wasn't a twenty minute hike through the forest, then a five minute climb up a mountain path to her cave. Elia was sweating and breathing heavily by the time they got the cave entrance—a fact made even more embarrassing by Aymora—who was clearly an older woman—not even puffing.

n

"You need to start working your body, girl,

" Aymora growled as she pushed aside a curtain and entered the cave.

"You'll be surprised how your body responds here in Anima. Much faster than in your world, I'll bet.

"

n

"Responds to what?

"

n

"To hard work. Humans live such unnatural lives these days their bodies have a lot of toxins that hold them back and make them weak. A few weeks of Anima air and food, and you start exercising, you'll be surprised how quickly you build muscle and fitness.

"

n

"I… okay. I'll try.

"

nAymora nodded like that was only expected, and led her into the cave.

nElia peered around, fascinated.

nThe cave appeared to be one large room with what was either a kitchen or a laboratory on one side, a large cage at the end near the door, and a small bedroom set at the other. As if Aymora literally lived her work.

n

"Welcome to my home,

" she said quietly.

nIn the middle of the large room was a massive table—a solid slab of rock, polished smooth on top, sitting atop two wide, round cross-cut tree trunks. It was beautiful, and imposing, and surrounded by six other women—females, Elia reminded herself—who watched her with keen interest.

nAymora swept into the space dropping her bag near the door and ushing Elia towards the table and the women seated there. They were all older, like Aymora—still fit and strong, but their skin weathered and in some cases, hair graying.

nShe introduced Elia to all of them—who promptly forgot their names and prayed she wouldn't have need to use them before someone else did to remind her.

nAymora offered her a chair on the long side of the table, which she took, then she was passed a plate of what looked to be fresh muffins and told to help herself. So she did.

nThey were the most delicious she'd ever eaten.

"Thebe are 'mazing!

" she mumbled around her second bite.

"Who made them?

"

n

"That would be Suze, our best baker, like I told you,

" Aymora said as one of the younger of the women waved at her from the other end of the table,

"But don't gush too much. It'll go to her head.

" All the woman at the table chuckled and the woman named Suze blushed.

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"But enough about baking, we aren't men to get stuck in silly details—we're here for a reason… which is you, Elia.

"

nElia blinked and stopped chewing as the women all turned their eyes to her—some with curiosity, others with suspicion.

"What did I do?

" she said, swallowing a lump of muffin and almost choking on it.

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"You mated the King, of course,

" Aymora said, as if Elia were slightly stupid.

"Which means you become our Queen—which means its our job to prepare you and guide you.

"

n

"It is?

"

n

"Yes. In the prides the females always take the lead on… well, pretty much everything except politics and war. And as Queen, you have an important role to play.

"

n

"I do?

"

nElia wasn't sure whether to be excited that she would, apparently, have a job to do here, or terrified, as the disapproving murmurs around the table rose.

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