Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

BEAST IS SAYING GOODBYE (Sob) and because of that, Reth doesn't need your powerstone or Golden Ticket votes anymore! If you'd like to support me as an author, please consider transfering your votes/GT to my new book "Rise of the Dark Alpha." But if not, then use them on a different author/book because they're FAR more valuable to a book that is onging! Thank you for ALL your support this year. I am humbled and amazed!

*****

RETH

A few days after Elreth's arrival, Reth lay in the furs while his family slept, testing his body for pain and weakness, flexing and resisting. The pain was almost gone, though his chest still felt tight at times, but Aymora had said that would likely be true of anyone who'd been resuscitated as he had—a great deal of bruising and two cracked ribs. They were healing quickly, though not as quickly as they would have in the past.

His blood was thin, Aymora said, and continued to feed him rich meats, fish, and vegetables to replenish it. He'd been tempted to tell her not to fuss, but then remembered her warning and instead submitted, weak and shaky, to the herbs and intentionally eating everything she put in front of him.

The day before he'd finally felt as if he could walk through the cave without being cautious. No more sparkling lights at the edge of his vision. No more breathlessness if he moved too quickly.

He was healing. And this morning he felt… good.

He sat up slowly. Elreth was once again swaddled in a little cocoon between their pillows, Elia laying on her side, one hand cupping her daughter's bottom, even in sleep.

His intentions forgotten, Reth watched them both sleep.

Elia's eyes were circled in dark smudges, her hair dull, and she was still a little pale. But she was healing even faster than Reth—the day before she'd even let Reth watch Elreth while she hurried to the bathing pools to wash unaided.

They were going to be fine.

Reth smiled and almost reached for Elia, but left her. Elreth had woken up three times during the night, and Elia was exhausted.

He would deal with his business while they slept, then be with Elia when it was time to feed again.

He hoped.

With every ounce of stealth he would have used to sneak on an enemy during war, Reth eased out of the furs and off of the sleeping platform, gathering his clothes, but not putting them on, then creeping out of the room and dressing in the tunnel when he had the door closed.

He hadn't told Elia about what had happened with Gahrye and Gawhr. He'd pulled Behryn aside a couple days later to ask him whether there was any news from the bears, but Behryn had refused to talk to him about it, insisting that everything was fine—so far—and so Reth had to focus on other things. The Behryn would come to him if anything changed.

They'd stared at each other then and Reth finally spoke the words he'd been holding back for too long. "Yes, but for how long, Behryn? How long until you are not here for me to rely on?"

"Only the Creator knows," Behryn said. "But I will not leave without warning you. So go back to bed and we'll talk about it later when you're healed."

Reth had known his brother was right, but it didn't stop his mind tripping back to the confrontation with Gawhr, and its uneasy ending.

And to Behryn's ultimatum from Hollhye.

So, this morning, while he was strong, and Elia was asleep, he would go to Behryn again, learn what his brother knew about the bears and… and become a King again.

It was true, the words didn't fill him with the strength of conviction and eagerness they always had in the past. His heart was back in that room with that tiny bundle on the bed, and the beautiful female that watched over it.

But he was King and while his loved ones were safe he would not let his people down.

Except the moment this King strode out of the tunnel and into the Great Room, his Captain, best friend, and brother-by-love stood from a thick chair in front of the fire and turned to face him.

Reth froze, staring. Behryn's face was grim and he watched Reth wearily.

Reth's heart sank.

It was happening.

"Tell me," he growled.

Behryn's eyebrows popped up. "Tell you what?"

"Whatever it is that you're here to say."

Behryn's eyes narrowed. "You think I'm waiting to ambush you with bad news?"

"Yes."

Behryn snorted as only an Equine could. "Facing your mortality has made you so negative. I thought those experiences were supposed to make you decide life was beautiful and worth living? Prancing through daisies and all that shit."

Reth almost smiled. "You want me to prance, Behr?"

Behryn snorted again, then went quiet. Reth stared, waiting. Braced. This was his best friend since he'd been an adolescent. He was under immense pressure himself, and he loved his mate just as deeply as Reth loved Elia.

Reth had to remind himself of that. If Behryn left him to soothe Hollhye, it was only what Reth would likely have done as well.

So why did it feel like his best friend—his brother—was rejecting him?

"I actually came because I have good news… I think," Behryn said, frowning again.

"Then why do you look like you ate a jabberthorn?"

Behryn gave him a flat look. "It's been a rough few days, Reth. Forgive me if I'm not prancing myself. I don't have the benefit of almost dying to put things in perspective." Then Behryn's face dragged for the floor. "We almost lost you, both of you, Reth. I am… not recovered fully from that yet. I came because I wanted to be close by… just in case."

"I bet Hollhye loves that."

"Hollhye is…"

"Hollhye is right here and can speak for herself," a sharp voice said from the doorway. Reth turned to find the female swinging in through the cave door, her arms full of a large tray of food. She kicked it closed behind her and walked through the Great Room towards the dining table to lay the tray down. "What did I miss?"

Behryn cleared his throat. "Nothing. Yet."

Hollhye laid the tray down carefully, then turned to face them. "You haven't told him?"

"Told me what?" Reth said through his teeth.

Hollhye folded her arms and turned to face Reth, her jaw tight and jutting out in defiance, as if she anticipated a fight.

*****

DAY 7 of #12DaysOfGiveaways (remember, ALL my giveaways can be accessed and include links to the mission books on Facebook. Go to bit.ly/aimeelynnfb and add me as a friend!)

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