Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

SURPRISE! I wanted to reward all of you who have supported me by buying privilege this month, as well as… well, I just missed Reth. That's the pure truth. So this story is just a little bit of fun and fluff to give us all a chance to enjoy a little more time with Reth and Elia. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! There will be 10 chapters released today, one every 20 minutes starting NOW!  Thank you for your support, your encouragement, and your love for these characters.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ME AND MY LOVED ONES TO YOU AND YOURS!

AUTHOR NOTE: Listen to "All For You" from The Light the Heat while reading this chapter. It's the song I wrote this chapter to (thanks Janell_Apple!) Also… to connect with me on Instagram, Discord, or Facebook (where you can see images that inspired these scenes) or to find my other books, go to linktr.ee/aimeelynn .

*****

ELIA

Elia crept into the Great Room only to find Elreth asleep in the basket—on the floor, which made her heart squeeze, because Reth knew how she hated leaving Elreth up high even if she was a lion cub. Her daughter's cheeks were pink and she had one hand curled up under her chin.

Elia almost cried at the beauty of her. But she couldn't let herself get distracted. So she tiptoed out of the Great Room towards the kitchen. Reth must have gone to the bathing pools. And maybe that was good. It certainly couldn't hurt.

The door creaked a little, so she was careful opening it, hoping not to wake Elreth as she slipped into the dark cavern. 

Inside she took a deep breath. 

Reth had only lighted one of the lamps. The air was cold with the winter chill sinking through the hole in the ceiling where the waterfall—now half-icicles—still drained into the colder pool that she didn't use during these months. Only Reth was crazy enough to do that polar plunge nonsense, though he swore by it.

But Elia was only vaguely aware of the waterfall or the pools or anything, except Reth.

He'd heard her come into the cavern and stood up from his spot in the mineral pool to find her, turning, the water only waist deep for him.

She froze.

The golden light of the lantern fell on Reth from the side, shining on the water in rippling waves that edged away from his body.

His body.

He must have dunked under the water because his hair was a black slick from his hairline, down the back of his neck and shoulders.

He'd been startled, so he was tense, his arms held slightly out from his sides in a natural defensive stance—poised for action. The golden light played over his bronze skin, making it glow where the light hit it, and casting deep shadows where his muscles, defined and still rock-hard, ridged—all of the shadows and light playing when he moved, taking a step towards her.

"Elia?" he asked softly. "Are you okay, Love?"

She nodded, not trusting her voice as she hurried across the dark rock floor towards the pools.

She wasn't sure how to start this, and her courage was already failing, so she stopped suddenly when she reached the edge of the pool, her toes curling over its edge, and Reth's eyes on hers.

His chest was rising and falling faster than it had been, though.

"I don't know how to tell you," she blurted.

"Tell me what?" he rasped, taking another step towards her. "Are you hurt?"

"No! No, nothing like that."

He stopped, confused, but his eyes—so deep and full of love for her, were clear and crinkling on the sides. "Just tell me," he said quietly.

"I… I want you, Reth. And I'm afraid you don't want me anymore because… because I look different now."

His eyes widened and for a moment he just stared at her, his mouth falling open. "Don't want—Elia, what are you—?"

Her tears were threatening again, but she swallowed them back. "I know you still love me, Reth. I know you do. And I know we'll get through this. But I'm scared of the first time and… and scared it won't be as good for you, and then you won't want me as much and I don't think I could take that," she ended in an awkward squeak.

Reth's Adam's apple jumped and his brows pinched over his nose. "You think… I won't want you anymore… after we mate again?"

She nodded and sucked in a breath. "But we have to try, Reth. I know that. And I want you. I've wanted you for weeks, but I've been scared and you've been so happy with Elreth, and—"

With a growl he shoved through the water, stepping onto the bench seat that circled the mineral pool and rising out of the water like some kind of god, the water sluicing down his body, shining in the lantern light as the drops played along the muscles of his abdomen to slide down his thick thighs and…

Elia swallowed.

He stood two feel lower than she was on the edge, so for the first time she could remember, she looked down on him. His eyes were bright and fierce, his shoulders rippling as he reached for her, catching himself before he touched her, so his touch was gentle, his fingers sliding to cup her waist and hold her in front of him.

"What, exactly, is it that you think I will not want, Elia?" 

She blew out a breath. "My body is different now," she said quietly.

His brows pinched harder over his nose. "So?"

"It won't feel the same."

He blinked. "So?!" he repeated. "Do you truly believe my only desire for you is based on… on…"

"My stomach sticks out now, and it's round and soft. My butt is bigger… and who knows what's going on inside. I shudder to think!"

"Elia—"

"Don't pretend you don't notice, Reth. I know you do!"

He eyed her, a strange mix of protectiveness and anger on his face. But when he spoke, his voice was low and soft. "I did not say I didn't notice, Elia. I asked you what it is you believe I will not like?"

"I don't know," she whispered. "That's the problem."

"Love, I…" he trailed off, then seemed to think twice about talking at all and instead pulled her closer. She was right on the edge of the pool, so when he tugged at her, her knees bent and her hands flew forward to rest on his shoulders and hold herself up.

"Reth!"

But he just growled and pulled her to him, sliding one arm under her knees, the other around her back until she was cradled in his arms and he stepped back down into the water, carrying her with him.

She gasped and threw her arms around his neck as they dropped, but he just held her tighter until he had both feet on the floor of pool, then he turned and sat on the seat, placing her in his lap so that the warm water washed over her, raising prickling goosebumps from her waist to her knees.

"Now," he growled, using one wet hand to push her hair back off her neck so he could nuzzle her. "Your soft tummy and larger ass—which I like, by the way—are under the water, hidden even from the stones. No one can see them to be offended. Correct?"

"Reth—"

"No, Elia… please. I have to know. These protests about your body… do you truly think I would dislike you for those? Or is it only that you don't find yourself wanting me anymore? I was warned by my brothers that for many females after… after a child there can be many changes and perhaps…" He swallowed hard and Elia held her breath. "Did you speak the truth… that you still want me?"

Her mouth dropped open. "Reth, are you crazy? Yes! Of course!"

A long breath rushed out of him, his chest constricting with the force of it. "Thank the Creator," he growled, his eyes flashing with fire. "Because I'm about to show you how much I still desire you, Elia.. Hold on."