12 The World Keeps Turning

RETH

Behryn disappeared into the trees and Reth turned his nose to the wind. Tensions were high indeed. He could smell it on every Anima on the breeze.

Even on Elia, though the scent of her was so sweet to him, it was near intoxicating. He'd never forgotten her smell, but now that she was no longer a child, the smell of her that he'd enjoyed as a cub—the smell that made him feel safe, accepted—had bloomed, from a single, frail flower, to an entire bouquet.

"What were you two talking about, flames and smoke?" she said cautiously. The fear in her voice broke through his thoughts and grated on him like fur rubbed the wrong way. No woman should be afraid to walk among the Anima—most especially when she was on his arm! But not only was it completely understandable that she was terrified, it would have been a lie for him to tell her the risk was passed.

His people were not yet satisfied. He ground his teeth but tried to keep his face relaxed so she wouldn't pick up on his tension.

"The mating ceremony, we call it the Flames. And the smoke… well, you'll see. It's quite enjoyable, don't worry. No more killing tonight." At least, he prayed that was the truth. The wolves had run off far too quickly for his taste.

"M-mating ceremony?" She looked up at him, her mouth open like a fish.

Reth nodded. "Whenever our people declare their intention to mate—as bonded pairs, not just for fun—we hold the ceremony. Tonight's will be special. A King only takes the mating ceremony once." Unless his wife died, but that didn't seem a wise point to make when she was already shaking at the knees.

"Is it like… are we getting married?" Her voice went up too high at the end and again he cursed the plots that had brought her here, now.

"I know this is a lot, Elia," he said quietly, calmly. "I know it's a shock. But I have to ask you to walk through this with me. For your own safety, and for the peace of my people. Anima is your home now, for better or for worse."

She turned her head away but didn't let go of his arm. He could see the tears in her eyes.

He sighed. "I was honest with you back at the Rite. I will never force myself upon you, nor create pressure to make you feel you must enter my bed. Your life will be peaceful as long as I am King. We will share a name, a tribe, a purpose. But your heart and body will remain yours unless you offer them willingly."

She chewed on her lip and stared forward into the forest, where the trees were beginning to spread out and the night air lighten as more moonlight filtered through. "I believe you," she whispered finally. "I don't know why, but God help me, I believe you."

"The Creator will bless you for it," he replied honestly. "Truth is always useful. And it is the one thing I guarantee you'll always receive from me: I will not pretend to be what I am not, and I will not ask you to, either."

"Yes, but—"

"Please, Elia, we are almost to the caves. When there is more time—tomorrow perhaps—we will sit down together, and I will answer your questions. I know you have many. It is unfortunate that your first night here must be so… eventful. But life is life, and the world turns. Tonight you will be called my Queen. Tonight Anima will make you one of us. Tomorrow we can worry about the rest."