Taming the Queen of Beasts

ELRETH

Elreth, with Aaryn at her back, had just found Gar and Rika in the great room and was eyeing the guards to give them space because Rika was flushed and Elreth feared she might be pushed to her limits.Â

But Gar clung to her hand like a lifeline and Elreth experienced a stab of jealousy because she didn't feel like she could show such… vulnerability in front of others.Â

The fact that Gar did, surprised her. And made her uncomfortable. Since when was Gar the one comfortable showing his emotions?Â

But she didn't have time to think about things like that, so she caught Rika's eye and tried to smile. "I think we need to sit down and go over—"Â

"El!"Â

Elreth's heart stopped and they all turned. Tarkyn was marching across the floor towards her, his hand on his sword hilt. He looked urgent, but not frightened which made Elreth's heart start back up at the gallop.Â

"The birds got back faster than we anticipated. The messengers are coming in."

"Thank the Creator," Elreth murmured under her breath. "Where are they?"

"Outside. They were sighted circling for a landing."

Glancing at Aaryn and Gar, Elreth started for the door. "Let's go."

When they stepped out of the cave the sun was bright and surprisingly warm for the winter season. For a stark moment Elreth wondered how the Creator could allow such a beautiful day that brought such deadly news.Â

But then shadows passed over them and they all looked up to see two pairs of Avalines, each clutching thick handles on massive canvas hammocks—big enough for a fully mature male though the burdens in these two seemed much smaller.Â

The birds back-flapped, the dry winter grass rippling and flattening under the draft, easing the hammocks to the ground of the royal meadow and dropping the handles, as Elreth, Aaryn, Gar, Rika, Tarkyn, and the contingent of guards who'd been tasked with keeping the Cave secure all watched on.Â

The birds hadn't even flapped aside to land properly when the first of the hammocks heaved and fluttered, then the side was thrown back and a mature female pushed to her feet, rushing to the second hammock and helping whoever was inside to push off the heavy canvas and sit up.Â

The older female leaned in to the younger—who looked to be around Elreth's age—pushing dark hair back from her face and murmuring questions in the gentle but probing way that reminded Elreth of her own mother.Â

Then she helped the younger female to her feet and they both turned to look at Elreth.

The older female's hair was silver-white, long and straight, but still full and shiny. Her eyes, when she turned, were a bright blue and despite being lined in weariness, sharp and fierce.

Elreth's mouth dropped open. She was dredging up a memory from her childhood, but she knew that face. And of course, it all made sense. She should have known Lerrin wouldn't trust anyone else.Â

"Suhle?"

The female nodded as they walked quickly towards her, Suhle had an arm around the younger woman's waist, who walked quickly, but staggered as if her knees might give.Â

"Somebody go get a healer. The rest of you get them inside with drinks and food," Elreth snapped to the guards. "They're exhausted."

Suhle didn't even slow, just turned the young female toward the entry to the cave, propping her up as they hurried, until two guards took both their arms and led them through, another rushing to find a healer in the City.Â

There was a bustle as everyone inside quieted to see who was joining them. A couple of the older Protectors who had met her before greeted Suhle. Everyone made space for them to reach the wide couch where Elreth had a sudden flash of the that first day she'd accepted the bond with Aaryn.

She knew she was blushing and pushed the thoughts aside, praying everyone would take her blooming cheeks as stress.

Both females sat down with a sigh and were handed plates full of fruit and bread, while drinks were poured and set on a side table for them.

"Thank you," Suhle said, first to the guards who brought them, then to Elreth.Â

"Thank you," Elreth said quietly. "Without your warning we wouldn't even know we needed to move."

Suhle nodded, drinking from the porcelain mug until she drained it, then pouring a second from the pitcher the guard had left and putting it in the other woman's hand.Â

"It's my daughter that got us through," she said faintly, looking worriedly at the younger woman who was slumped in the corner of the couch. "She carried me because I can't shift."

Daughter. Of course. Elreth looked at the young woman, nodding. She had her father's dark hair and angular bone structure, coupled with her mother's bright blue eyes and graceful way of carrying herself. It was a stunning match.

Elreth wracked her brain. She knew she'd been told the names of Lerrin's three children, but she couldn't for the life of her—

"This is Lyndra, our eldest," Suhle said with a gentle smile.Â

"Thank you, Lyndra," Elreth said. "You've saved many lives."

The young female shrugged and looked at her mother as if uncertain how to receive this attention.Â

"You're welcome?"

Elreth had to fight a smile. The girl had spirit.Â

Then Elreth realized they were much the same age. She probably shouldn't think of the woman a girl.Â

"Where's Reth?" Suhle asked, looking around the room. "I need to report."

Elreth blinked, then realized… of course… they didn't know. "He's around," Elreth said carefully. "He's just had a… rather difficult meeting. I'm sure he'll be ecstatic to see you when he gets his feet under him again. But—"

"There can be no buts, Elreth. It's crucial that I speak to him right away—if needed, I can go to him if someone will take me. He must understand, the humans were already entering the desert. You have to get out there before they reach WildWood!"