AARYN

Aaryn blinked. "You are… joking, right?"

Reth shot him a look. "No. I recognize it isn't needed—and clearly wasn't a part of the plan. But now that you have time to think, time to consider how this will impact the people—and Elreth as their leader—maybe you should give it some thought?"

"I can't say that that has crossed my mind." Then he looked at Reth, frowning. "I didn't think you were old fashioned about these kinds of things."

"I'm not… well… No, I'm not. I just…"

Aaryn frowned. He'd never seen Reth stumble on his words like that.

The older man ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. "Look, we're talking about my daughter. I know you love her—the Creator knows, I've been praying for you two to get your heads out of your asses for years. But things have changed. She's a Queen now. Every decision she makes, every relationship she enters, will affect the entire Kingdom.

"The disformed are a point of contention right now. While I believe most of the people are ready for this, they have only just received their first true dominant Queen. Add a disformed mate to that within days—and someone she hasn't walked the Flames and Smoke to declare for—and with her youth… you might find some of the people questioning whether she is truly your mate, or whether you have merely… taken advantage."

Aaryn's hands fisted at his sides. "I would never—"

"I know! Aaryn, I know. I'm not talking about the truth—I'm talking about the Anima view. She's breaking every tradition so far—and I applaud it. But at some point the people will begin to question her judgment if for no other reason that for being overwhelmed by the changes she brings.

"I can give you practical reasons to wait—your scents are entwined, but faint. I had to sniff for it. At this point, especially when you're close to each other, which I suspect will be a lot," he said, eyeing Aaryn flatly, "no one will notice. You two often rub off on each other anyway. If you don't complete the mating, your mingled scents won't grow stronger. It will give you more breathing space to make your announcement. But also… this entire step is a massive change for you two. One that would be easy to brush past and not appreciate. Waiting can make it all the sweeter."

"Reth, I assure you, I have been waiting a very long time," Aaryn ground out.

Reth huffed. "You have, but this is all brand new to Elreth. Don't let her make a decision she might regret later—and don't make decisions for her, either."

Aaryn gave him a flat look, but Reth only loomed over him. "Don't think I don't know what's going on in that dirty head of yours, Aaryn. I was young once, and I am not dead yet. I know every. Single. Thing," he growled, his eyes flashing. "That girl is smart as a whip, but she is a child in these matters. Do. Not. Frighten her.

Aaryn bristled, but shook his head to ward off the anger. "You underestimate…" he ground out. "I was not the one who… Elreth was very… insistent tonight—"

Reth still looked fierce, but his eyes twinkled. "She's truly her mother's daughter, then."

Aaryn wanted to shake off that thought.

"Look, Aaryn… plan the ceremony. Plan it quickly. Tell the people. But just… just think about letting everyone get used to the idea before you… flaunt it."

"Yes, sir," Aaryn said automatically, then winced. He did not want to give Reth reason to try dominating him again. "But don't underestimate Elreth's ability to deal with all of this. She's very… persuasive. And not just to me."

Then Reth stopped walking and turned to face him. "Aaryn…" Aaryn stopped and waited, wary. But Reth wasn't bringing his dominance to bear. He looked concerned. "The females in my Pride are as strong as they come. But no matter how powerful Elreth may become, no matter how strong, she's still breakable, you understand? She's like me—her strength hides how easily she's wounded. How much responsibility she takes on herself and how much weight she carries. If you break something between you, she'll blame herself, and that's not fair."

"Yes, I know that, Reth," Aaryn said, sighing. "No disrespect, but… I feel like I know her… perhaps even better in some ways than you and Elia."

Reth tipped his head, considering him, and Aaryn forced himself not to waver under the penetrating gaze.

"Likely you do have knowledge of Elreth that we don't," Reth growled finally. Aaryn was about to relax when Reth continued. "But, hopefully you also know that it's your job to make sure that whenever this does happen, it's as good for her as it is for you."

"I… of course. Yes. I mean…" Flustered, Aaryn shook his head. "I would be happy to discuss this with you, Reth, but you know what she's like. If she learns that I spoke to you of it she would want my throat."

Reth snorted and flapped a dismissive hand at him. "Elreth is going to need to grow up about that. Put your ego aside, son. Figure it out—ask her to show you if you need to. Mating will be either the greatest joy, or the greatest heartache of your mating. Make sure it's a joy for both of you."

"Yes, sir," Aaryn said through clenched teeth.

"Good male," Reth said, clapping him on the shoulder and smiling. Aaryn tried to ignore the warmth in his chest when Reth looked at him with approval. "She's strong enough to weather this, and so are you. And bring the Kingdom along with you. I'm certain of it. You weren't wrong when you said that the Outsiders—and their families—can be an asset to her. But—"

They were only halfway across the meadow, but both of them looked towards the tree houses as Elreth's voice suddenly echoed across the space towards them.

Snarling. Screaming.

At her brother.

"Well, shit," Reth muttered.

They both began to run.