In Love With The King Of Beasts

ag

ated

ums grated on Aragon like a

their ancestors speaking in the tribes. But the Rite of Survival was brut

ounce it-the opposite, in fact. He had to protect the traditions no matter how terrible they

er in his throat. The drumme

Pure humans were often marked by weakness of both body and mind, it was also true that were he a human ruler

things the pur

f to his people, who murmured and chattered their excitement as they bowed their submission to him. Most of them

lowly, letting his scent ca

f the clearing and his eyes landed

nly years of training and discipline stopp

breathed

ible. It could

Yet, no one knew. And if she was

turned his s

cause some long-buried instinct within her understood the da

ossible that

her any special attention-or let them know they'd succeeded in unsettling him. So, after he'd met eyes with every s

in memory of your ancestors. The sacrifices you offer will ensure the strongest blood continues to flow in the veins of Anima'

ed to suck in a deep breath to brace himself. "Tonight the future

cker of submission from the horse-blood Equines, the snarls of the wolfish Lupines-even the toadlike Amphines raised their croaks, along w

Ara

to none. He could do nothing to save her without weakening the position of the entire Kingdom.

n the air to remind the w

Anima to offer them the chance to prove their blood. And so, I call on the Tribes to recognize our human sister, the Pure." He swept a hand t

ed by. And so as they quieted, Aragon held his breath, forcing himself to pretend

ited. It took her a moment to realize they wouldn't speak until sh

n know you people

variety of opinions about continuing the tradition of bringing a Pure One into t

Elia and drew a hooked finger across her throat. To anyone from Anima, she would have clawed her belly to make the threat. B

to him snapped his stick down on the drum three times in quick succession. "Let the Rite begin!" Aragon

to fall or give away his pity for Elia. But he felt it to his bones. Pity fo

because he had been too w