Taming the Queen of Beasts

GAR

When he made it over to the hammocks, Rika and Reece were both standing there, looking around. Rika frowned, Reece just looked uncomfortable.

Gar walked him through a brief explanation of how the hammocks worked, what he needed to do to make it easier for the birds to carry him, and what he could expect at the other end.

"We're flying tonight until near dawn. We'll make it through more than half of the WildWood tonight, but we won't reach the Plains until early tomorrow night. So when you land it will be at our intended campsite. You'll be stiff from lying still for so many hours, so walk around a little before you bed down. But we'll be sleeping through the day, so find a shadowed corner somewhere. Just make sure you're inside the patrols."

Reece nodded. "I'll just go wherever," he mumbled. "I just… I just need something to focus on."

Gar took a deep breath and squeezed the male's upper arms. "I know this is hard, and I'm sorry we haven't been able to give you a better embrace. But… you're one of us. You'll become one of us. And if you help keep my mate safe, if you help us defeat the humans… the entire Anima will be grateful to you. This will be your home, Reece."

"See, that's what you don't get," Reece muttered. "I have a home. I want to win this thing so I can go back to it."

Gar looked at Rika, but neither of them spoke. They got Reece settled in his hammock with his bag, then watched the birds, in great, swooping flaps, lift him off the ground and begin into the night.

Ahead of Reece, and behind them, bird pairs were lifting and rising into the air. The moon was out, which was helpful for navigation and their timing, but made the flying more dangerous. The birds needed to fly high, above the range of arrows, though Rika had warned him they could never safely fly higher than the guns could reach.

But Gar had long accepted that things that could not be changed, shouldn't be considered. If there were any more betrayers among them, as Hannah and Marryk had been, they would be aware of the travelers and readying to shoot them down.

So, the birds flew above arrow's reach.

Then Gar turned to Rika.

She stared at him, her eyes clear, but face pinched with concern. "I wish we were flying together—"

"It's just for tonight," he said, his voice husky. "Just, please… Rika… be safe. Please. I've ordered my birds to follow yours. We will be there if there's a problem. I just… please be safe."

She stepped up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and he curled himself around and over her. He was, once again, holding a female in his life that he had to let go.

And this was the hardest one of all.

****

ELRETH

The air was suddenly full of bodies, flapping wings, hanging weights, and the sound of weeping. And the ground trembled with the passage of dozens of guards, now shifted into their horses and lions and the occasional wolf, each launching into the steady trot or rolling canter that would take them across miles with minimal effort.

Elreth and Aaryn stood together at the edge of the clearing, away from the families who were watching their sons and daughters leave to run—or some, to fly—into danger in the hope of saving them.

She hadn't intended to put herself away from the people, but they'd found themselves on the opposite side when they were giving the final instructions to Tarkyn and then… the idea of walking to stand among these people of hers who were offering so much. Whose lives might now be counted in minutes… it left her breathless.

Her father's words had been echoing in her head all night and she kept clinging to Aaryn, even often when she spoke to others. And the tighter she held on, the harder it became to let go.

Then suddenly the sky was clear except for dozens of black shadows against the scattered clouds and moonlight. And the families under the trees began the slow, slumped walk back to the nearby Tree City.

Elreth would stand there, though, until they couldn't be seen anymore.

Aaryn, his shoulder pressed to the back of hers, stood with her. But he watched her face, not the sky. She was aware of his scrutiny, but she couldn't meet it, because if she did she would break and she didn't have time.

Then, before she knew it, the clearing was empty. She and Aaryn stood alone, staring at the night. She could still hear the slow and weeping steps of the families down the trail, but none of them had stayed once their loved ones disappeared.

Aaryn was still staring at her.

He opened his mouth and she wasn't ready, so she turned the subject to logistics. "Do you think the Guards will… stay upset?" she asked him quietly.

"No," he said quietly, still watching her profile. "They have a bigger enemy to fight, and they know their jobs. Even if they don't like it, their training… they'll take the orders they're given and they'll work to do them. They'll be fine. I just pray Tarkyn isn't right and they have more time at the other end than he fears. That's the best-case scenario."

Elreth nodded, then started to turn, as if to walk to the trail herself.

But Aaryn let go of her hand and caught her elbow, stopping her in her tracks. "El, are you  okay?"

"Of course not."

She was being a coward and she knew it, so she forced herself to turn and face him, to meet his worried eyes and let him see the fear in hers.

"What can I do?" he asked quietly, stroking fingers up and down her arm.

Elreth swallowed. "Stay close," she murmured, her voice rasping with the intensity of the vulnerability in those words for her. "Just… don't leave me, Aaryn. Don't leave me at all, so I can know you're safe. I think… I think I can handle the rest if you're okay."

"I won't, babe. I won't leave unless you make me," he grinned slightly. Then he stepped right up to her, cupping her face and staring down at her, his smile gone. "I'll promise if you will."

Elreth held his eyes and nodded, gripping his arms.

Then he folded her into a hug and they stayed there together for a long time, just breathing.Â