Taming the Queen of Beasts

ELRETH

Stomach churning as she waited to hear what he had to say, Elreth stared a challenge at her mate—who received it, and stared back.

Aaryn sat with one knee bent high, the other leg bent and flat, knee pointing towards her. He leaned one elbow on his high knee and stared at her carefully, waiting until he'd finished the mouthful he had before he answered. And when he did, his voice was low and dark. He was angry that she'd put him on the spot in front of everyone else. His fingers flashed a curse, but it was one they'd made up—a child's curse. Elreth breathed a little easier. He was angry, but not vengeful.

"Things would have to be dire indeed for me to come to the point where I believed that was the best place for you," he said quietly. "But, yes, if you ordered me to it, I'd do it. I'm submitted to my Queen," he said, sketching a mocking bow, but his eyes were alight with fear and a little anger.

Elreth's lips went tight. "I'm not suggesting I would do this on a whim. I would cross only if it was the best thing for our situation. But I cannot deny that knowing I can do so as safely as we're able makes me a lot less nervous."

"I promised to protect you," Aaryn said. "If that means taking you across the traverse, then I will do it. I'll insist on being the one to do it. But don't doubt that if the world is exploding around our ears and I believe you crossing will put you in greater danger, I will tie you hand and foot to keep you here if I have to."

Elreth's mouth dropped open. "What is it with the all the Alpha Male Bullshit today? Do I have to dominate each of you individually so that we can start moving forward with out all these challenges?"

Her father raised a single eyebrow. "You think as ruler your thinking shouldn't be challenged, El?" he asked carefully, knowing full well that that was not what he had taught her. Knowing full well that is not what she meant!

Was it?

"Of course not," she ground out, then bit off a new piece of meat and chewed it, glaring at all of them—including Tarkyn, who was clearly  hiding a smile—while she did. "What I mean," she said eventually, "Is that you are challenging me on a decision I haven't yet made. I am asking to be equipped—offered a further option. That is not what should be challenged. When the day comes that I determine that we're crossing, that's when you can all have your say."

Her father nodded, but Gar spluttered. "No! That's just stupid! We've just explained the danger to you. Having both of you in the traverse together? That's just asking for the entire dominance hierarchy to be crushed if something goes wrong. How can you possibly think that's ever going to be a wise course?

"If you two were to cross together and something went wrong, we would lose both of you in the same moment. You think Huncer is going to bring the people back together in that chaos? You know she can't. She's steady and if it were a matter of losing you to sickness, or even assassination—if life around you were normal, but you were lost—she would be the best person for it. But if we're at war? If we've been invaded? You think Huncer is going to be the Anima to keep everyone from dissolving into fear and panic? You know she doesn't have the presence for that kind of situation. She will be ignored."

Elreth nodded. "I never imagined it would be Huncer that would take over if something like this were to happen," she said quietly.

"Then you're expecting everyone to challenge each other and try to work out the dominance hierarchy in the middle of a war?"

"No, I'm expecting you to take it, Gar," she said, biting back a smile when her brother's mouth dropped open in sheer shock.

Everyone else went quiet still as well, but more because they were watching for his response, Elreth thought.

She was pleased that no one laughed at the idea.

"I don't appreciate how much of your capability you've hidden from me," she said quietly. "But I do understand that you felt like your… strength might not be recognized. In any case, we're here now. And I'm seeing what you can do—what you've already done. And it's clear to me: Huncer will be my voice in my stead. If I have to travel or get sick, she will be able to act as she believes I would act. But if something happens to me? If I'm killed? Gar, you have to step up. You are the true second. And I think we both know it."

Her brother's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

Tarkyn was staring, but even he didn't look skeptical.

Then, just to make sure they were all on the same page, she turned to her father. "Do you disagree?" she asked him quietly.

The clearing went silent, except for the rustle of leaves overhead, and the babble of the brook behind them, no one moved or made a sound as the former King didn't even flinch. He turned his head and stared at his son, who—in his shock—didn't even pretend not to want to know what he thought. Gar gaped at him, his mouth still open.

Reth nodded. "If Elreth and Aaryn were gone," he said, his voice a deep, husky rumble, "I would feel safest—and I'm certain the people would too—knowing I was under Gar's hand. That is… not what I believed before. And I'm sorry, son. I'm sorry I didn't see it. It seems that I still have a lot to learn in this life. But I don't fault Elreth's assessment. The people need the strength you're showing, the type of leadership you're demonstrating.. I agree."

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