Chapter 223: Submit
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*****
RETH
As the night air grew cold, and last of his people that remained filed forward to submit and give the vow, Reth stood on trembling knees.
Behryn, to his right, glanced at him worriedly. But Reth received the male sheep, just as he had everyone before him, and thanked him.
The amphitheater was full—and far too quiet. He looked up to scan the crowd, about two thirds of those that had come to see the judgments. But so few predators… He swallowed his fear and let his people scent his calm.
"Thank you, all of you," he said loudly enough for those at the back to hear. "You have likely heard of the events of this day. Your Queen is alive and in the care of the wise-women. But the attempt on her life, and the life of our cub was real and… brutal. The Security Council will meet now. Our Captain carries the guard. You are safe in the Tree City—but be watchful, and keep your ears alert. This is not a time of mere upheaval… this is war. And all of us will be needed to fight, one way or another."
A murmur of fearful calls rose from the people, but Reth raised a hand. "Do not fear. We remain under the Creator's hand of Blessing, I am convinced. Too many things may have been taken today that were saved. Too many people could have been lost. But we will remember those who gave their lives in the defense of myself and your Queen. We will remember those who will give their lives in the weeks to come. You are, and always will be, under my protection. Tomorrow I send an Emissary to the Bears—" Behryn looked at him sharply, "—and pray they will choose to stand with us. The wolves have prepared for this, but they have also taken a blow today. We will not allow them time to recoup.
"So stand strong, my people. Report any scent or sight that makes you uneasy. If the horns blow, protect your young, and stand your ground. We will never allow our lives to be ruled by the short-sighted and selfish wolves. Never."
A cheer rose, though it faded quickly. Reth nodded. "Rest now," he said. "Rest and know that you are watched over—by the Creator Himself."
He turned and stalked towards the back of the stage, to take the rear exit, Behryn at his side.
"An Emissary, Reth?" he breathed under the sound of the dispersing crowd.
"I have no choice. The wolves are too close, and too strong. I cannot leave the City."
"The City or your mate?"
Reth turned to meet his eyes. "Both."
Behryn's mouth tightened, but he didn't reply. When they made it outside, Reth turned to look at him again. "You are faithful, friend. And strong. I am so grateful. But I have to ask you for still more."
"You know I'll always be here, Reth."
He nodded. "Bring the council to Aymora's cave. We'll meet there."
"What? Reth, there's hardly room—"
"Just for tonight. Just while—" He broke off as a young Leonine sprinted up to him on the path and slid to a halt to bow. "Don't worry with that, what is it?" he growled.
"The Queen is awake, Sire, and healing. Aymora's treatment is helping. She strengthens. And the Cub, too."
A tiny knot in Reth's heart unraveled. He squeezed the young female's shoulder. "Thank you." And then he ran.
"Reth! The council!" Behryn called after him.
"Bring them!" he snarled without slowing.
*****
He tore into Aymora's cave a few minutes later, but Aymora was standing, her hands up to quiet him.
"She's resting," she whispered. "She needs it. Her body is healing fast."
Reth crept as quickly and quietly as he could across the floor to kneel next to her and softly take her hand. Her color was better, and her breathing easier.
Much easier.
"What did you give her?" he whispered, awed at the pink in her cheeks.
"We shared blood with her. The Anima blood to help the babe has helped her more than I could have hoped—"
"You did WHAT?" He stood, turning on her.
Aymora's eyebrows rose. She folded her arms, but kept her voice at a whisper. "The cub was dying, Reth. It was the only way. But it has helped Elia more than I would have dared hope. Our blood strengthens her beyond her own limits. She is healing—not just easing, healing."
Reth looked at Elia again, at the warmth in her skin, and how her face was soft and relaxed, when before, even when she was unconscious, there had been a tightness to her. There was no doubt, she was better. And Elreth…
"She was dying?" his voice was faint and weak. He hadn't slept for two days. He'd run and fought and feared. And as he looked at his mate, now safe, it all crashed down on him. He wavered.
Aymora leaped forward, leading him to a chair next to Elia's bed and bidding him to sit. "You are in need of healing yourself," she growled. "You are strong Reth, but not indestructible. If you are to help your people, you must rest and allow your body to renew."
"I will rest after the council," Reth murmured, picking up Elia's hand again, holding it between his own. It was warm.
"Sure you will," Aymora muttered. "If you don't show more care for yourself, you'll be on a cot in here, too," she said. "Have you eaten?"
"Some." Very little. Behryn had brought him a plate while the amphitheater filled, but it tasted like sawdust and stuck in his throat.
Muttering about alpha-male bullshit, Aymora pushed him down in the chair, glaring at him to stay there, then bustled over to the kitchen and returned with a plate of fruit and dried meat. "Eat. Or I will order you to stay away from the council until after you've slept."
Reth swallowed a grape and snorted. "They're coming here," he said, trying to smile.
"They're—what?"
"I can't leave her, Aymora. Please. We have to discuss the wolves and plan. I have to pick an Emissary to go to the Bears. The guards are already exhausted and we may have fighting before daybreak. I—"
"You need to eat, and to rest," she growled. "The rest will come as it comes. We will do the best we can. But you are not the Creator, Reth. Do not try to be."
He opened his mouth to argue, but caught her gaze and thought better. "Thank you, Aymora."
Her lips pressed to thin lines. "I love her too, Reth. You know that."
"I do."
She nodded. "Then remember: She is important. And she is worth saving. But she is not the only responsibility you have. The people will not die without her. They will die—or be overrun—without you."
A growl wanted to rise in his throat, but he made himself take a bite of the dried meat, chew, and swallow.
She didn't understand.
As if she knew what he was thinking, she arched an eyebrow at him. "Do not regard me with suspicion—or dismiss me, Reth. I have walked the path you're on, and I met the fire. Do not forget it. My advice to you is true: The people will not die without her. But without you, life as we know it will be… erased."
Reth sighed, his shoulder sagging under the weight of everything that was to come. "I know," he said quietly. "But here's the thing, Aymora: They may not die without her. But I think I would."
*****
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