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*****

ELRETH

"I'm fine,

" Elreth's father growled, glaring at her mother as well.

"I'm just getting old. Can't a male have a touch of indigestion without you all fussing all over him?

"

"Reth, your heart—it's been a very stressful time,

" her mother said gently.

"My heart isn't the problem,

" he growled.

"I'm taking my herbs and eating and resting. You all are far too jumpy. Seeing a crisis in every corner, that's all.

"

"Dad, I—

"

"El, the last thing you need to be doing right now is worrying about me. I'm not lying to you. I'm not trying to cover up. It's not my heart that's hurting. I haven't had any symptoms. If I hadn't watched my father die, I'd question whether I even have any reason to be taking these herbs. It's been twenty years and I'm fine.

"

"Except for those episodes,

" her mother pointed out.

"When you got sick.

"

It was a few years earlier, when Elreth had been fifteen. Her father had gotten an infection and his heart had started to play up. She hadn't even known he had a problem until Mam'Amora got growly and pushy and pulled her and Gar aside to tell them that they needed to give him a break while he was sick.

Elreth had been horrified. How could her father face that kind of illness without ever telling them? But he'd been angry with Aymora for telling them.

Elreth's head spun again—at which point she realized she still wasn't seeing her brother or Aaryn. She looked at the door again while her parents bickered about whether or not Reth should leave and go to bed.

"What do you think's taking so long?

" she asked quietly.

Her parents both looked at the door as well then.

"I can go and—

" her father started.

"No!

" Elreth and her mother said at the same time.

"The elders will be here in less than an hour, Dad. I'd far rather have you here for that. If we all go wandering around Aaryn will probably find Gar and come back here and then we're all out there. No, we'll all stay here,

" Elreth said firmly, and turned the conversation back to the humans.

But all the while she had one ear on the door and a nose perked for the scent of her mate.

"Look, Elreth,

" her father said quietly a little bit later.

"The most important thing for you to remember is that your mother is human, and you come from human genetics. You have to have love for those who would have love for you, no matter what race or species they are. Not all of the humans are our enemies—remember that.

"

"But surely the ones that are here—

"

Her father nodded.

"Probably. But… if I learned anything during the war with the wolves it was that sometimes an ally can be hiding behind fangs. Listen to more than what is said. Listen to more than the fear or anger of whomever you stand in front of—this is important with Anima as much as humans. Listen. Watch. Think. Offer mercy and grace. Let them show you the true mettle of their hearts. Because in the end you might be surprised by an ally in a corner you didn't expect.

"

"Or an enemy,

" her mother interjected, frowning.

Her father squeezed her mother's thigh and looked at her with concern, both of them likely reliving the day when she was betrayed and kidnapped by the guard that was supposed to be protecting her.

Elreth sighed. Would life ever just be simple? For any of them?

"Where is all this going?

" she murmured, staring at the floor.

"Where does it end?

"

"It ends in you bringing the Anima to their best, Elreth,

" her father said.

"What you're doing with the disformed—what Aaryn and Gar are going to help you do—is the best kind of work a ruler can do. If you can find a way past the human intervention and keep everyone safe at the same time… you will go down in the history books, my girl,

" he said with pride.

Elreth blushed, but her mother spoke up.

"She's already doing that,

" she murmured with a smile, nudging Elreth's father.

"Stop, both of you. I don't need proud parents right now. I need advisors and mentors. You and Gar have had more contact with the humans than anyone I know. You have to help me.

"

Her father leaned forward, elbows on his knees.

"We'll be right here with you, every step of the way, Elreth. Whatever you need, whatever you want… we will be here for you.

"

Elreth was surprised by the jolt of emotion that speared through her when she met her father's eyes, the glowing pride there, the earnest commitment, and the love.

Always the love.

She looked away to save herself from it and found her mother, her eyes already silvered.

"Don't you cry, Mom!

" she wailed.

"I can't get weepy when the elders are coming! They already think I'm a child.

"

"Oh, hush,

" her mother said, getting to her feet and crossing the space to pull Elreth to her feet and embrace her.

"I am your mother, you are my child, even if you're Queen or old or… anything. I never stop being your mother, El. We're here for you. We'll always want to see you succeed. And we are both very, very proud.

"

Elreth buried her face in her mother's shoulder, swallowing and swallowing. But when her father came up beside them both and wrapped his long arms around them, murmuring his love as well, Elreth was lost.

"Thank you… both of you,

" she hiccupped into her mother's neck.

"I don't know how I'd do this without you.

"

"You'd do just fine,

" her mother whispered, combing Elreth's hair with her fingers.

"Well, fine, maybe,

" her father muttered.

"But not great. I mean… we are pretty awesome.

"

"Reth! Stop! This is a serious moment and your daughter needs help!

"

Elreth pulled out of their arms and shook her head.

"No, don't fuss, mom,

" she said, swallowing again.

"Dad's getting old, remember? His mind isn't what it used to be. It's okay. We're still here to take care of him.

"

Her father growled and pulled her into his chest, and Elreth giggled. But then, blinking back more tears, she relaxed into his wide chest.

"I love you, Dad.

"

"I love you too, El.

"