Taming the Queen of Beasts

If you like music while you're reading, try "Dust and Gold" by Arrows to Athens. It's what I was listening to while writing this scene.

*****

ELRETH

At some point, they'd curled up in the furs and she must have slept because she was aware of movement in the cave dragging her mind out of the dark silence. The sound of footsteps approaching the bedchamber made her tense.

Aaryn had either been awake, or woken faster, because he had already leaned over her, pulling the furs up to hide her from anyone who entered, and snarled, "Who's there?" while she was still blinking awake.

"I'm very sorry, Sires," the voice came quietly, deep, but tense. "But there's a messenger from the Protectors. He says it can't wait until morning. A… a traitor has been identified. The portal is at risk."

They both sat bolt upright, Elreth clutching the furs to her chest. They looked at each other, then she blurted, "Guard the cave. I'll be out in a minute. Is he under guard, or do we need to locate him?"

"He is a she," the guard said quietly. "And she has offered herself."

Elreth's head jerked back and Aaryn frowned. "Go. We'll be there in a minute."

Neither of them spoke as they leaped out of bed and into fresh clothes, hurrying out of the bedchamber and through the cave, Elreth's body pumping with adrenalin and feeling completely awake, despite their lack of sleep.

There was no one in the Great Room so they hurried through and out into the meadow, where a fist of guards stood, two Anima inside their circle.

Aaryn sucked in a breath and Elreth snapped her head to look at him. "What is it?"

"I met her. At the market," he said. "She was… really emotional. I thought she was overwhelmed because people were being kind, and the Tribe…"

Elreth shook off the last of her fog and strode over to the guards to stand in front of them, glaring at the Anima within their circle.

"Report," she snapped to the guard, who saluted, thumping his clasped fist to his chest.

"This female came through from Gahrye's portal today," the guard said somberly. "She has approached us tonight and admitted to being part of a conspiracy to thwart them from closing the portal."

Elreth's blood ran cold. She snapped her head to look at the female, who stood under the arm of her mate whose face was drawn and pale with fear. "Speak, traitor."

"I… I didn't know," she whispered into her hands. "I was told this place was… I thought you were ruthless. I thought… I didn't know. I'm supposed to be sabotaging you on this side, stopping anyone who might go through to help. But this is… this nothing like I was told. Nothing!" she sobbed, then lifted her head, her eyes locking with Elreth's. "They lied! They lied."

"Who lied, about what?"

"The… my… there are two disformed on the other side. They're going to stop Gahrye and Kalle from taking any action that will stop the humans from getting through. We were promised when the humans took Anima, we'd be allowed to go back to the human world and they would… we'd be wealthy, and they'd leave us alone. Our families… all we had to do was make sure those who stayed back were safe, and that no one came from this side to help. They'll make the betrayal over there."

"What betrayal?" Elreth growled.

"Two Protectors volunteered to stay back and help Kalle in case Gahrye couldn't. But they don't know what they have to do, only that Kalle is to fulfill the prophecy. They're… they're going to kill Gahrye so the other can take Kalle into the traverse and… give her to the voices."

Elreth sucked in, turning to look at Aaryn who was staring, open-mouthed.

"Someone has to warn them," the female said in a small voice. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I agreed. I wasn't… I didn't know!"

Aaryn broke the gaze with El, turning back to the female, his voice rough with anger and fear. "Who can be trusted. Who else is a part of this?"

"I don't know!" she wailed. "That's why I had to tell you! We weren't told who else they'd brought to their side in case we were caught. We couldn't betray each other."

Elreth's head spun.

She did not doubt that there were good hearts among the disformed that came through the southern portal, but how to filter them? They could all be scented for truth—but even then they wouldn't know which of them were strong or could be trusted not to crack with such a heavy burden. And who would be a strong enough fighter if it came to that?

"They're all gone," Aaryn breathed.

Elreth turned to look at him, her stomach turning to stone at the look of shock and grief on his face.

"They're all gone, El. All the ones we know, they're all traveling to the other portal. I thought we had this team here if it was needed—that they're even more experienced. But we can't know."

"We have to send someone!" she snapped. "We can't let them walk into this."

Aaryn nodded and stared at her, stepping closer. He was staring at her like she might freak out. Why did he look like that? She wasn't going to—

"They're all gone," he whispered. "Except me."

She stared at her mate, jaw slack, and her entire body washed with shudders, then nausea.

No. He couldn't mean…

"I have to go," he croaked. "I have to, El. We can't be sure of anyone else."

"But—"

Aaryn signed, 'Don't speak,' then turned to the guards. "Take them to the prison tree and keep them under guard. Bring your highest-ranking lieutenant to interrogate her. If you learn anything new, bring it to us immediately. But go. I need to speak with the Queen.

The guards nodded and saluted, turning to push the two traitors back across the meadow towards the trail.

Then Aaryn turned to face her, his eyes wide and so sad and afraid.

"No," Elreth whispered. "No."

*****

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