ELRETH

Elreth stiffened, but didn't let her shock show on her face. Lhern leaned forward, sucking in and his eyes snapped to meet hers.

It was a moment Elreth would never forget.

For the first time, she tested her dominance against the man, leaning forward to meet his gaze and willing him not to speak, not to move, not to let on to what he'd discovered—or how he'd thought to discover it.

She let nothing of her fear and concern show on her face, but instead tipped her chin down and held his eyes, hands braced on the arms of the chair she'd been about to get out of, and she focused.

She was Queen.

She was dominant.

She had beaten her own father, one on one, and this male thought he was free to reveal her secrets to the others?

A tiny growl puttered in her throat and Lhern went very still.

"You do not give orders to me, Lhern," she said, her voice rolling into a snarl when he blew out the breath he'd inhaled.

"No, Sire, I do not," he said. But he didn't drop his eyes.

She refused to be baited. She let herself feel everything that she was—her strength in body, and will. Her commitment to truth. Her confidence that she was absolutely the right leader for the Anima in this day and age—and perhaps most importantly, her utter certainty that this male would not betray her to the others.

"If you have words to speak, Lhern," she said through her teeth, "Perhaps when the elders meet?"

He nodded slowly. But it wasn't until she caught sight, from the corner of her eye, his knuckles turning white because of his grip on the arm of his chair.

Then she smiled the smile she would smile for prey and sat back in her chair, never dropping his gaze.

Interestingly, three of the males around them had already submitted, and the others looked like they would the moment her gaze reached them.

"Do not underestimate me," she said to them all, though her eyes were on Lhern. "I am patient and I want to work with you. But do not mistake my kindness for weakness. I will do whatever is necessary to show you the way. Do we understand each other?"

Two more of the council submitted as they all murmured their affirmation to her.

She raised an eyebrow at Lhern, who hadn't spoken his. "Yes, Sire," he said finally. "Of course. I meant no offense."

His hands were almost shaking on the arm of that chair, now. She tilted her head. "Perhaps you and I could have a private conversation after the others leave?"

"Yes, of course." His resolve was wavering. She could see it in him. She would have heaved a sigh of relief, but she didn't need to.

She was in charge. And he was learning that. And it was going to be good for both of them to air this out.

They waited still staring, while the others got up from their seats, made their farewells, and left.

When the door to the building closed behind the last of them, she pushed up from her seat and stood over him. Lhern didn't stand to meet her, which was a very good sign.

"If you give me an order in front of those men again, I will assume you are challenging me, Lhern, are we clear?"

"I meant no challenge, Sire."

"You meant something."

"I was… startled. It was a thoughtless comment."

She stepped over to his chair and leaned down. "It was thoughtless, that's true. But I'm willing to bet even being startled, you would not have delivered that to my father. So come at me, Lhern. Bring whatever you need to bring to be certain of who I am, and why I'm here. I won't have you undermining my strength before the others."

"I did not intend to do that, Sire. Truly." And it was the softest tone he'd used towards her, yet… he wasn't submitting. He was being soft… as if he cared?

She straightened, frowning. "What are you doing?"

"I was startled by your scent, because it's clear the mating bond has taken."

"Yes, so?"

"With Aaryn."

"Yes. But you will keep that entirely to yourself until the elders meeting."

Lhern sucked in another breath, but nodded. "Congratulations."

"Thank you. Now, why were you shocked? I'm told most people who pay attention were already aware of his feelings for me."

Lhern nodded. "But you've seemed to have no interest in him. And… he's disformed."

"So?"

"Majesty, I have no offspring, I was not blessed with them. But my sister… her daughter is disformed. I have been a fierce supporter of your mother's since, well since she showed up really, though it may have been a little rocky early on. Once I knew she was serious about helping them… And when you took your father down over that issue, I hoped. I hoped you were truly the ruler to bring us all together, finally."

"Then why have you challenged me at every turn? Why hold back and lead these males as if I am someone to watched skeptically?"

"You are young, untried, and female. Did you really think we would just roll over and offer our balls?"

Elreth snorted. "No. But—"

"When you dominate me, you dominate every male in this room. I have been giving you an opportunity to show yourself—intentionally."

"You were testing me?"

"I prefer to think of it as coaching. To help you grow. But however you would phrase it, my only hope has always been that you would lead our people into true unity. Not this… halfway that we've had for the past twenty years."

The older man stood then, to face her. "May I touch you, Sire?"

Elreth blinked. "Yes, I suppose."

He put a hand to her shoulder and squeezed it. "That you take a mate without prejudice… that is the highest commendation to your character, Sire. I submit. And I celebrate. You and your mate are our hopes for the future, Elreth. I am pleased to serve you. I will challenge you. And just as I did with your father, I will even fight for what I believe when I think you're wrong. But never let yourself fear I would work against you in the shadows. You will always see my concerns, I will bring them to you. And I will carry your banner to the people. You carry my hopes for the future of the Anima. I'm grateful."

Elreth's mouth dropped open.