Taming the Queen of Beasts

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<strong>RIKA</strong>

It all passed in a whirlwind. After Elreth made her announcement, Gar's tension ratcheted up—not out of fear, but eagerness. He blew through thanking his parents and practically pried Rika out of Elia's arms to hustle her over to his tree to pack a bag.

While she did that, he and Aaryn rushed to the Market and told the Protectors what was happening. He told her later that they celebrated as excitedly for him as they had already been for themselves. She was touched by their loyalty to Gar, and looking forward to the day when she could call them all friends, know them, share their joys too.

Gar had been back to her within forty minutes, and brimming with unspent energy.

"The moon's already high," he said as she handed him the bag she'd packed, though she'd had no idea what he would need, so he threw a few clothes in, then rushed down to the kitchen for some food. As soon as he had everything he needed, he turned to face her, looking uncertain.

"So… How do you feel about riding my lion."

Rika froze, gaping at him. "I'm sorry… what?"

That was how she'd found herself now, on the thick, broad back of a massive cat, her hands buried in his mane, her face buried in it too, because despite how smoothly he kept his gait, the speed with which the forest whipped past was going to make her nauseous. But it was worth it, she'd decided. So she held onto his mane for dear life and pressed her face into his fur, smelling the earthy, masculine scent of him under the warm animal fur, and reminding herself that he was in control. He'd be himself again soon. As soon as they got there…

She prayed a prayer of thanks when she finally felt Gar slow under her, even sat up a little when he started pushing through the underbrush and huffing, dropping to a walk.

The moon was high in the sky and turned the entire forest black. But there were fewer Great Trees out this far, letting the silver light through in spaces that left the ground smattered with light and shadow. Yet, the massive guardians of the forest still yawned up over the canopy behind them, leaving the impression that this little clearing was embraced, sheltered from the rest of it.Â

She could hear running water off to her right and as they walked deeper in the clearing, see a dark, circular area with a large log laying next to it—obviously where they lay the fire.Â

Rika swallowed. She loved the forest at night. Wasn't frightened of the creatures or the dark. But people… people in the dark were terrifying.Â

Gar stopped walking under her and she slid off his broad back, keeping one hand in his mane, until suddenly he was back, and her hand rested on his shoulder.Â

He eased the bag off her shoulders—she'd almost forgotten it hung from its handles down her back like a backpack—and his eyes searched hers.Â

"Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Just taking it all in," she said quietly, trying to deny her growing tension. Because the ride was over. The travel was done. They were here.Â

Alone.

And even though she didn't feel afraid, she kept waiting for it to come.

Rika swallowed and turned to let her eyes scan the whole clearing.Â

There was a wide, flat rock half-in and half-out of the water, surrounded by other boulders and rocks that left calm little bays in the river flow. On the opposite side of the river, the mountain began its climb, standing sentry even over the Great Trees.Â

And off to her left, a cave mouth yawned in the dark. Its opening seemed natural from the little she could see in the dark, but it was hung with a half-open door. Rika stood near the fire and just looked around.Â

"This is a beautiful place," she whispered.

Gar nodded. "Rika, are you—"

"I'm fine," she said, though her voice shook. "I think it's just the first time I've felt like I can just… breathe."

Flashes of everything that had happened in the  past few days wanted to creep up on her and jump out of the corners of her mind, but she shook her head and turned, looking up at Gar, finding him standing over her, his forehead pinched in worry.

She made herself smile. "It's okay, Gar, really," she said, reaching up to smooth the frown lines on his cheek. "I'm really glad we're here."

Those lines returned on his face, but this time tipped up in a smile. "Me too."

Suddenly needing to be close to him, Rika stepped into his chest and laid her head against it. She could hear his heart booming in his wide chest right under her ear—and it was picking up its pace.

As Gar's arms moved slowly around to circle her, Rika sighed happily. She felt safer in the circle of his arms, than she had a moment ago, standing alone.

She shook her head. "I don't know how you did it, Gar," she said, "But you convinced my heart that it's safer with you."

"I'm glad," he rumbled, kissing her hair. "Because it's true."

"Can we just stand here for a minute? Just… be together?"

"Of course." One of his big hands brushed up and down her spine, the other wrapping low on her back.

Rika leaned her temple against his chest and looked at the water that rushed and gurgled, reflecting the moon in a thousand tiny, rippled facets.

They stood that way, silently, for a few minutes, until she sighed and straightened, then smiled up at him. "Thank you."

Then she let him take her hand, carefully, and lead her into the cave. It was so dark, she couldn't see inside, so he led her like a blind person, her hands clasped around his arm. But in minutes he had their bag on the floor, a fire crackling merrily in the fireplace, and he'd shaken out the furs on the big sleeping platform at the back that, when her eyes fell on it, made Rika's heart beat faster with both desire and nerves.