Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

RETH

With the need for more guards, each with a closer relationship with Elia, Reth decided it was a good day to review the training up in the high clearing. He had meant to catch up with Behryn's troops all summer, but now the weather was cooling and with recent events it was vital that they choose guards who would not only be committed to Elia's safety, but who were unafraid of true battle if the wolves—or possible intruders—chose to attack.

He timed his arrival to walk into the field just after the late afternoon's session began.

Catching sight of him as he stepped out from the trees, Behryn called all the trainees to attention, and to the man, they knelt, with fists over chests until he'd walked through all of them to join his best friend.

"At ease," Reth called, allowing the men to take their feet again and relax while he caught up with Behryn.

"To what do we owe this honor, Sire?" Behryn said with a grin.

Reth rolled his eyes. "I want to see who's here and what they're doing. I want to be involved in picking the new guard shifts. Make sure that they take the job seriously—and that they don't think it's just a babysitting role."

Behryn snorted. "You really think I'd let any man on shift who would think that way?"

Reth stood shoulder to shoulder with him as the Captains called the men into sparring stance and they began to train again. "No. But… take pity on the heart of a man in love, will you friend?"

Behryn nodded. "If it was Hollhye, I'd do the same thing," he said, clapping his hand to Reth's shoulder and leaving it there as they watched the young males going through their forms and attempting to strike each other.

He watched and reviewed the men for an hour before asking Behryn if he could step in and test a few himself. Behryn grinned. "Be my guest. But don't show off. This is a job interview, not your playground."

Reth flashed a wicked smile, then strolled to the center of the field where the men stood in groups, learning to guard when they were blinded.

Three different men stood, blindfolded, and encircled by a handful of others, who would each take turns trying to touch the man before he could fend them off.

Reth noticed one man in particular, an especially tall, but solidly built Equine, who seemed to be doing well. He had his head cocked and wasn't distracted by noise from other groups. He stood on the balls of his feet, hands in front of his chest, poised. But didn't move until one of the others came for him.

As Reth approached their group, he gestured to the others not to mention him. They all smiled and shifted slightly to give him room in the circle.

One by one, as the others attempted to touch the man, Reth stood ready until he was given the nod to take his turn.

He shifted his weight forward, but at the last minute, dropped to one knee and took a strike—only half-speed—at the back of the man's knee, a blow designed to take him off balance so he could be flipped, or caught in a lock.

And it almost worked. The young man braced for a blow coming at his side, as Reth had feinted, but was quick enough to twist on his feet as his King dropped. Though he didn't block the blow quickly enough, he was also able to keep his feet.

And his face, under the blindfold, got very serious.

Reth glanced at the Captain, who nodded again, and Reth began a quick, steady attack, sometimes up and aiming for the face, or chest, then twisting to drop, or turning to get behind the man.

And though the man struggled to meet every blow, and took one good jab to the ribs, it took Reth most of a minute to get the man off his feet.

The others cheered as Reth finally slipped an ankle behind the Equines, pulling him over his thigh and to the ground.

The soldier cursed, but curled himself to roll when he hit the grass. Except Reth didn't let him go, but kept his hand and drew his weight, so the man wouldn't hit hard.

Then he pulled him to his feet and clapped him on the back. "Well done, son," he said.

The young man pushed the blindfold back off his head, and his mouth dropped open. He immediately saluted. "I thought it must have been the Captain—thank you, Sire!"

"What's your name?"

"Tarkyn, Sire!"

"Tarkyn, can you tell me what your thoughts are on the Queen and her… unique way of approaching the world?"

"I admire her courage, sir." There was no guile on the young man's face. His eyes were bright, and he smiled, ecstatic to be speaking directly with his King.

Reth nodded. "As do I. Are you interested in joining the ranks of her bodyguard while we attempt to clear up a few… issues we've had in the City?"

"Yes, Sire! Oh, very much!"

"Good. I'm impressed. Keep working. You can report to Behryn in the morning."

"Thank you, Sire! I will!"

Reth smiled and turned away to join the next group, his heart slightly easier knowing at least one of the new guards was skilled. Now if he could just find four more…

*****

ELIA

Elia and the Outsiders who'd been free to gather that afternoon all huddled behind the bolder, their mouths open with shock.

"Did you know he was coming?" Gahrye whispered.

"No! What's he doing?"

"It looks like he's testing them."

Elia swallowed. Watching her husband prowl out of the trees like a big cat had been… thrilling. And terrifying. What if he caught her scent? None of the Anima were likely to miss it, but she knew Reth was particularly attuned to her. Ever since the claiming, it was almost as if he could sense her even without his nose.

"Man, he's fast," one of the others whispered a few minutes later, as they all crouched in a row, watching.

Elia's stomach trilled. Seeing him move like that, so vital and strong, made her wish they were back at the cave. But it also reminded her how desperately careful he was with her.

She'd never seen him strike… anything. But when his fist caught this young man—who had half-blocked the punch—he was bounced off the center of the little ring and into his companions for a moment.

The sheer power in Reth was stunning. Elia licked her lips.

Eventually, Reth moved on to the other groups and seemed to be evaluating the people in each, though he didn't ask to personally attack any of the others, he took his turn in the circles, and laughed and advised the young men.

Elia's heart melted when he stepped in to encourage one young man who was struggling with the exercise. She couldn't hear his words, but she knew that look of firm compassion—he'd given it to her, always when he felt for her, but knew that it was important she hear something.

This young man seemed in awe of his King, standing right there, speaking with him.

Elia swallowed hard and took a deep breath. She loved this man with every fiber of her being, and seeing him here, being the man she knew him to be when he didn't know she was here… it just reinforced everything she knew about his strength and courage.

He was amazing. How had he become hers?

Luckily the wind was with them. No one caught their scent so they were all able to sit there, watching Reth, until the sun began to dip. The others, all young, had to get back to their parents, or their schooling, or whatever responsibilities they had. But Elia and Gahrye stayed on a few more minutes, until the light began to drop enough that Gahrye was concerned she wouldn't get back safely with her limited night sight.

He gestured to her that it was time to leave, and she took one last look at Reth—and found him staring directly at her through the tiny gap that she peered through rock and tree leaves.

Elia gasped and whirled, dropping to sink below the level of the boulder. Gahrye turned—he'd been about to head into the trees.

"What?" he hissed.

She gestured wildly back, behind her, towards Reth, trying to communicate that he'd seen her, but Gahrye just frowned. Then he looked back in the direction she'd been pointing and his eyes widened.

Reth? He mouthed and she nodded frantically.

"Shit." He beckoned her, as if to flee, then widened his eyes when she shook her head. He looked back towards Reth, his uncertainty about the best course forward, obvious.

They both froze and waited. But there was no call of alarm. No sound of Reth calling her name. Nothing.

Elia slowly, slowly lifted herself up until one eye could see over the boulder and through the leaves.

Reth had gone back to the trainees, though she sensed an extra set of tension in his shoulders.

When she turned back, Gahrye stared and she shook her head.

They were gone within seconds.