Taming the Queen of Beasts

ELRETH

Elreth should have felt strengthened by the unity in the room—everyone believed an attack on the humans was the best way forward. War was inevitable, why not bring it to their enemy, instead of waiting for it to be visited on them? But Elreth's mind kept churning, as if someone stood behind her, whispering a thought she couldn't quite catch. Something she was missing about this whole picture.

But before she could figure it out, Gahrye approached and asked to speak with her. She let him lead her into a corner and waited as he scanned the room behind her, then leaned in.

"I have to leave, as quickly as possible," he said tightly, as if his teeth didn't want to open to let the words pass. "This is happening a lot faster than we anticipated."

"Do you think the Anima aren't prepared to come back here already?" she asked quickly.

He shook his head. "No, no, that's not what I meant. They're ready. I meant… Kalle and I. And Reece."

"What's his role in this?"

Gahrye's brow furrowed. "That's just the thing… I mentioned it to your parents, but I need to ask you, El… will you take him? Keep him here? If we can get the portals closed and you can shut down the forces that are here, he'll be safe. In our world, it's always only going to be a matter of time until he's discovered and imprisoned. The people who have come for you are far more numerous in my world. And they're looking for him, for Anima like him. Actively. They've been looking for twenty years. At least here he can die free. And if he lives, he lives without that threat forever hanging over him."

El was surprised. "You're certain?"

"Utterly. If this hadn't happened… we'd already been trying to convince him to come back here."

Elreth watched him carefully. "Are you certain you can't keep him safe over there? We know war is here, Gahrye. We know it can't be avoided."

Gahrye looked down sadly. "He can never fully become himself over there," he said sadly. "He tries to… stifle his Anima nature because he wants to fit in, and he doesn't want to hurt me. He has no idea how it makes me ache that he doesn't shift because of me. I want to celebrate that with him."

Elreth put a hand to his shoulder. "Then do not worry. We'll watch over him. I can't vouch for his safety in this, but I know if it was my choice, I'd rather die here, fighting for Anima, than live hunted in that world."

Gahrye sagged with relief.

Elreth felt for him. "Now, tell me, you read the winds. What do they tell you about those coming through? Do I need to be concerned about betrayers among them?"

"I don't think so," Gahrye said. "They're nervous. Some are reluctant, but it's because they know they're leaving a life they've built. But they all answered the call before we knew it was this dire, El. They've been ready for days."

Elreth nodded. "That's… good."

"We'll need to get them started and get the traverse cleared as quickly as possible—just in case."

She nodded. "Don't forget what I said about checking for updates with the guards there."

"I won't, don't worry. We want to get everything done so that the traverse is clear and we can… do what needs to be done."

"And my parents, too?"

He looked pained, but nodded.

Elreth sighed. "Gahrye, please… tell me—"

"It's not my story to tell, El. But I know your parents will. Just give them a short time, okay? And… be thankful. Thankful that you were raised by such amazing Anima."

Elreth stared at him, but when he met her eyes, his were pleading. She knew she had to wait and ask her parents, and even though it made her heart beat too fast, and made her want to growl, at least she knew they'd tell her.

She sighed and changed the subject. "So, a day and half to get your people through. Another day and a half to get our people in position. Three nights, Gahrye."

He nodded. "I'll send one of the two that are staying with us through the portal twelve hours before, just to be certain your timing hasn't changed."

"Good. Then no one else after that, okay? Warn them, I'll have the guards on a kill on sight order. Once that final person has passed, we'll assume anyone else coming wants to defeat us."

Gahrye nodded. "That's for the best." They were both thoughtful for a moment, thinking about that and what it meant. "Three nights," Gahrye said quietly. "The Creator has determined your timing for you," he said, meeting her eyes again.

"Yes…" she said carefully, frowning, because voices were rising in greeting and questions. Aaryn was back.

"Go to him," Gahrye said. "Treasure your mate, El. Never stop treasuring them."

She looked at him sharply. "You sound like my father."

Gahrye huffed a humorless laugh. "No matter what conflicts we might have had over the years, I've never denied that your father is a wise male, El. I could do worse than sounding like him."

She almost gave in to the urge to ask him again, the questions burning on her tongue—because, she realized, she was afraid of what her parents were going to say.

As if their answer would somehow be different?

But Gahrye took her hand and squeezed it, giving a weak smile. "I need to go talk to my son," he said sadly.

Elreth nodded. "Thank you for everything you've done, Gahrye. Everything you've given up to be here and help us understand. Just… thank you. The banishment is lifted. If, by some miracle the traverses remain, you are always welcome in my Kingdom."

His eyes silvered, but he smiled and leaned in to hug her. "Thank you, El," he whispered. "I'll be praying for your success."

Then he turned and went in search of his son, while Elreth looked for her mate and tried to shake off the distinct feeling of hypocrisy that had been haunting her ever since her conversation with Rika and Gar.

Insisting that her brother let his mate walk into danger while she'd kept Aaryn at her side wasn't unjust, she told herself. It was… different circumstances, she told herself as she went in search of him.

But the feeling just added itself to the other niggles poking at the back of her neck.