Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

GAHRYE

Gahrye gaped at Elia who was at the other end of the couch, that bag of popcorn in her lap. What had she said? Until death do us part?

"You humans vow to die, one for the other?" Gahrye's heart sank. He couldn't vow this to Kalle after the blood-vow to Reth. The two vows would conflict!

But Elia snorted. "No. Wedding vows are mostly about staying together—like not having sex, or a romantic relationship with anyone else—no matter what. Rich or poor, healthy or sick, whatever. And the big line at the end was, 'Til death do us part.' I mean, that's the old English. But what it meant was, I'll stay yours until I die." Then she swallowed hard and her eyes reddened. "The Anima version is 'even to death'."

Gahrye was breathless. "So you are vowing to continue to hold the person in your heart until you die?"

"Yes."

Gahrye hardly dared hope. He could vow to Kalle in the human sense without breaking his vow to Reth? Or putting the vows in conflict?

"But what if one of you is in danger? Do you not vow to stand in each other's stead?"

Elia shifted in her seat. "I mean… I guess that's the heart of it, but it's not what people say. Our vows are more about the emotions of it. That you won't give your heart to anyone else. They don't really have much to do with… physical things. Except sex, I guess. And even then, some couples—"

"I understand," Gahrye rushed forward, unwilling to hear that humans may wish to mate others after the bond. "What happens after you give the vows? Are there other commitments, or is it only about… caring?"

"It's caring… but it's supposed to be caring about that person more than others…" she trailed off.

Gahrye waited, but she continued staring at her own lap, frowning. "Elia?"

"I don't want to talk about this anymore," she said abruptly. And before Gahrye could even blink, she was setting the popcorn aside and getting to her feet. "I'm going to bed. And I won't be getting up again. I'm really tired. You should… you should go out or something. Enjoy yourself. Start looking for your own mate. Trust me," she said through her teeth as she brushed off her jeens. "She won't be hard to find."

"Elia, I'm sorry if I—"

"You have nothing to apologize for," she cut him off, but she still wasn't meeting his eyes. "I just… I just need to rest and be alone for a while. So you might as well enjoy yourself. That's an order."

Gahrye gave her a flat look, but she finally turned and met his eyes. "I'm serious," she said quietly. "I know you don't believe me, but… I'm going to go to sleep and I'm going to try to dream of my mate again, because right now, it's the only thing keeping me sane. So even if I wake up, I'm not going to get up. So, go. Do something fun, or interesting, or whatever. Or just rest. But don't disturb me tonight, okay?"

Gahrye sighed but nodded. "Do you need anything?"

"Nothing that you can give," she said darkly. "Goodnight." Then she turned on her heel, and headed for her room.

Gahrye blinked. It was the first time he was looking at her on profile for a while. And… it was only a little, but her stomach was distended. Rounded. In the way of an Anima female with a foal.

But that was impossible. The females didn't usually show until the sixth month. It hadn't even been that many weeks!

Gahrye's mouth dropped open, but Elia wasn't looking at him. She just walked quietly to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

What the hell was going on?

*****

KALLE

Kalle had dragged her dinner out for as long as she could without being obvious, but neither Gahrye nor Elia arrived for the meal. Shaw had arrived after her, but ate quickly, so she still lingered as he was finished.

"How are things going with your research?" he asked, scraping the last of the vegetables onto his fork.

"Slowly," she said carefully. "It's hard because we're looking for things that are so specific, but hidden within the larger issues—"

"I'm glad you're both here."

Kalle's heart rose as Gahrye appeared in the doorway. He scanned her briefly, as if checking all her pieces were safe and in place, then turned to Shaw. "I have a rather urgent need that I would ask your assistance with."

Shaw pushed his chair out and stood. "Anything. That's what we're here for."

"We need our own space. Our own home or… the Anima would call it a cave—Elia needs a place where she feels safe and as if the nest is hers. I do not wish to lose access to the resources here, but I fear things are escalating for her and we need to have her away from strangers."

Kalle froze. He was leaving? He'd said he was going to figure it out. Not run. What had changed?

As if he sensed her sudden ill-feeling, he glanced at her and shook his head slightly, then turned back to Shaw, who was frowning.

"We have safe-houses, and of course you are welcome to one of them. But I'm not certain this is the best plan Gahrye. If Elia needs assistance, the more distance between us, the harder it will be for us to attend—"

"For now, the greater concern is Elia's heart and mind. And that will be improved by more space and solitude from strangers. A home she can call her own…" He swallowed hard. "And we must keep it a secret. From everyone. Even other Anima should they come through."

Shaw's head pulled back. "I thought you were hoping to hear from messengers?"

"We are. But should they arrive, I would ask you to keep them here and allow me to come… evaluate them. Elia's tension is rising. Her instinct to protect her… child, alongside her grief and fear… it's too much. She needs more quiet, and greater privacy."

He wasn't looking at her. Was avoiding looking at her. Kalle bit her lip as anger rose in her chest. He was going to leave? And—

"I'd really feel more comfortable if you were here where a Guardian could assist her if there was need. I understand your concern, Gahrye, but I too have a vow to the Anima and for the good of the Royal family. It seems very risky to put you away from the rest of us when there is danger—or at least, she perceives danger."

Gahrye frowned. Kalle knew he didn't trust Shaw, but couldn't pinpoint why. She suspected Shaw just rubbed him the wrong way—it wasn't uncommon. But it meant Gahrye wasn't going to give Shaw anything more than was necessary to move things in the right direction.

"I am not suggesting that we have no contact with the Guardians, or even visits. Only that Elia feel she has control over who enters her space," Gahrye said firmly. "I would ask that Kalle join us daily, as she does here, to continue our research. And should there be need, she would be able to access you and anyone else that would be needed."

He finally looked at her and she saw there, in his shining eyes, hope. She had to work not to bite her lip.

As Shaw opened his mouth, looking unhappy, she rushed in to speak first. "I'd love to help. I don't mind being in another place. And if we give them the right house, Uncle, it would actually be more convenient—closer to my apartment."

Shaw looked at her, then back at Gahrye and threw his hands up. "I guess we can try it. But you must assure me that you won't begin travel or… or anything else without allowing us to help and watch over you."

"I hope to travel as little as possible, frankly," Gahrye said with a shudder, and Kalle had to bite her lip not to laugh. He really did hate the car.

"Very well," Shaw said after a moment's thought. "I will begin work on it. It may take a few days, but we should have you in a new home by the weekend."

Gahrye's shoulders dropped. "Thank you," he said firmly, then turned to Kalle. "Could I ask your assistance this evening? Elia has given me a… specific task and I would need your help for it, I believe."

Kalle nodded and got up immediately, her heart pattering with excitement. She could still see the tension in Gahrye, but there was something else there too. Something she hoped… she hoped was for her.

They both farewelled Shaw hurriedly, then walked out, side by side.