Chapter 490: The Need of the Mate
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RETH
They continued to throw ideas around, but nothing was helping. Reth accepted that until they had the people together and could hear their suggestions, he might not be able to walk in there with a plan.
"I want to gather the Tree City tonight to hear from them—and to prepare them," Reth said. "Behryn, let's put the call out to gather after dinner. I will just speak to the people and hear them. We will let them know you and Aymora and Brant are coming to council with me tomorrow."
While Hollhye looked on, worried, Behryn spoke to the guards and messengers outside the door. With no more talk for a moment, Reth's thoughts immediately turned to Elia—to the fact that if he could get the people united, if they could be certain the bloody conflict was over, that he could bring her back.
Everything in him ached for her now. The temptation had been burning since he left the Hallowed Grounds to just go get her. The threats were not nearly as serious now as they had been, but the niggle question of how many spies they might have—or rebellious operatives trying to lull Reth into a false sense of peace—stayed his hand. Elia was leverage to use against him, the strongest leverage. He would not risk putting her in enemy hands again—not yet, anyway. But soon… hopefully soon there would be no more true threat. Hopefully soon, he would hold her again. Her and Elreth.
He wanted to groan, the ache in his chest was so sharp. But he knew the others would only become concerned.
Then a gentle hand appeared on his shoulder. He turned to find Aymora standing behind him. He hadn't even heard her get up from her seat.
"You smell… pained," she said quietly.
"I need my mate," he said hoarsely. "I can't wait much longer. And I don't think she can wait at all. It's like… it's like something inside me is pulling for her. It isn't even just missing her it's… it's a need."
Behryn looked at Hollhye who sighed and shook her head, but didn't speak up.
Reth caught his best friend's gaze. "Get a message to the bears. Tell them I'll be going for her soon. We don't know exactly when. But they should expect to see Anima in the region, possibly within days because I'll be taking Guards to watch the Portal until we return so we can't be taken by rogues. Tell him none will venture more than 100 feet from the trail while we travel, or the Portal cave while I'm gone."
"Gawhr is asleep, Reth. I don't think there's any point risking a messenger just to tell him you're going to do what you said you would do at the beginning."
"Do you know where Gawhr is hibernating?" he asked Behryn, shoving down the anger that wanted to rise at his friend's resistance. They were all on edge. All sick and tired of fighting and risk. It wasn't just him.
"We don't know for certain, but we know the cave he and his family group spent a lot of time near, right before the bears slept. They were slow to go to ground, so they were sighted several times."
Reth nodded. "Send the messenger. They can leave the note near the entrance to the cave in case he wakes. He isn't at his best when he wakes up. I don't want him taking us out before he's even realized what's going on."
"But that's exactly my point. If the scent of the messenger, or the sound, wakes him. That poor soul won't stand a chance."
"Send a bird," Reth said through his teeth, "They can drop in, leave the note and fly out without being on the grounds. But do it. I will not risk angering them at this late stage! I am returning for my mate. Do not ask me to make that journey under greater threat!"
Behryn sighed, but returned to those outside, speaking quietly with the messengers outside the door, and passing them a hastily written note.
Reth's fingernails were digging into the tabletop when Aymora cleared her throat. "You need to eat before your meeting tonight, and I'm guessing you won't be going to the market, so let me get you something," she said.
"I'm not hungry."
"That wasn't a question, Reth, I was just being polite."
Brant chuckled from his cot. But before Reth could shoot him the dark look he deserved, Aymora said from the kitchen, "Brant, you're staying here tonight so we can monitor that ankle and make sure no infection sets in while it heals. So get comfortable."
Brant's face went stony, and it was Reth's turn to grin. Behryn—who was walking back to join them—did as well. But Hollhye stood. "If you're going to the meeting tonight, you need a nap. I'm not having you out all night. You're still healing."
"I'm fine!" Behryn frowned as he took his seat. But Aymora growled. "I told you, Behryn, a week—a week of good rest and no physical challenges. Do as your mate says or I'll tell Reth that you're off duty until you do."
Reth smiled at his best friend, who was now pouting like a child. His mate ushered him back to his feet and out the door.
Reth let the smile fall as they disappeared. He was glad Hollhye was taking such good care of Behryn. His wound was not insignificant.
But there was something prickly and burning in his chest.
It took him a moment to realize it was jealousy. Reth blinked. He hadn't felt that way in so long—not really. Not since Elia arrived.
But here he was, watching Hollhye stroke Behryn's back, her eyes alight with joy to be close to her mate and taking him away to be alone. And… Reth was jealous.
He needed Elia. So badly.
A plate of dried meat and fruits plunked down on the table in front of him and that warm hand landed on his shoulder again. "It won't be long now," Aymora said quietly, rubbing his back. "Be thankful you can get her back."
She hadn't meant it as a jab, but Reth swallowed. He was grateful. So grateful not to be in Aymora's shoes and never see his mate again.
"Thank you," he said quietly, looking up at her. "I mean it."
"I know," she said, then went back to her herbs.
*****
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