Chapter 74: Blood Brothers
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RETH
When they got out of the city and finally made it to the cave where they had been eting since they were in their teens, Reth sighed with relief. The taunts from his brothers were rciless, but easier to bear where no one else could hear them.
"Only took you a week, brother."
"She's either the strongest Queen Anima has ever seen, or she'd tied your tail around her—"
"Do not finish that sentence," Reth growled at Nhor, one of the other Leonine.
The n all laughed and only increased their teasing.
"I thought soone showed you how to handle your carrot years ago, Reth. But maybe we need to have a chat? You see, when two Anima love each other very much, they have a special kind of hug…"
The n all laughed and clapped Reth on the back so hard he almost choked. But he kept his chin up. He was the last of the brothers to mate, and unfortunately, he'd made more than his fair share of jokes and jibes when the others had their days.
He knew he was going to pay for it now.
The teasing continued until they were all seated in the cave. They hadn't t for months, so Reth dusted off his seat before he sat and waited for the others. Within a minute they were all seated in the circle, Behryn to his right, chatting and mocking Reth.
Reth ground his teeth and reminded himself it was all designed to get him off balance. That they didn't really think these things.
But finally, Behryn raised his hand and the seven other n quieted.
"Reth," Behryn said solemnly.
"Yes?"
"As King, we have witnessed your service and your selflessness, and we applaud it. We are grateful to have you as our leader."
There were nods and murmurs of agreent around the room.
Then Behryn grinned. "But as a Brother of the Secret Keepers, your hairy ass is ours for the next two hours. It's ti to take a taste of your own dicine."
The room erupted in laughter and jeers. Reth shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. "I know you all have tasted the pointy end of my stick in the past," he started, "but—"
"Maybe that's what was wrong? Maybe that's why she didn't want to do it?"
The n burst out laughing and Reth nodded grimly. "Yes, keep them coming."
"The mating bond feeling a little tight, today?" Behryn asked. "Suddenly rethinking the wisdom of all those years of jokes and taunts, My King?"
"Do your worst," Reth said, as they mocked. "As King it's always been necessary to be the strongest in the room. If you can't handle it, well…" he shrugged. Behryn raised an eyebrow and the others made noises of anticipation.
"You heard our fearless leader, n," Behryn said, his smile only getting wider. "It's ti for the mating initiation!"
The n leapt to their feet and jostled each other as they descended on Reth, tying him to the chair in the tradition of these etings—a symbol of a brother's responsibility to stay in the seat, no matter what is thrown at him.
Reth sighed, but knew the only way out of this was to go through it, and it was true he'd taken great delight in pinning down his brothers on their mating days. So it was only fair that he allow them to do the sa.
There was no fast order in the brotherhood, no certain rules. Once they had him tied, the others began peppering him with questions in no particular order. It wasn't a test, so much as a good-natured way for the others to find where he might be weak, and offer advice.
"If you haven't already, you'll have your first fight soon. Tell , Reth, what is the best way to soothe a female's feelings after you've placed your massive paw, squarely in your mouth?"
Reth grimaced. "She mainly needs to hear that I know what I did wrong—that I'll endeavor not to do it again."
"What do you do if a male is sniffing around your wife, but she hasn't realized it yet?"
Reth gave them all a pointed look. "Well… I could have him sent to the camps—unless he's actually touched her, in which case I'd just bite out his throat sowhere she wouldn't see it happen." They all laughed, knowing it was very unlikely any male in WildWood would ever make an attempt to steal Reth's mate. Mating changes in the Anima were extrely rare, but they did occur.
Around and around they went, so of the questions little more than jokes, others quite serious. Since Reth was the last male to mate, they'd all been through this seven tis before, and they all knew the answers. Though Reth admitted to himself that the reminders weren't bad—like rembering that females needed ti with other females, and to encourage her towards that, rather than becoming jealous of her ti.
Things got a little awkward when one of them brought up the mother-in-law and Reth had to remind them that Elia was an orphan.
"Lucky son-of-a-bitch," Nohr muttered. The others howled.
Eventually, the question ti drew to a close, and Reth sighed. The next part of the ceremony was uncomfortable.
The n each went quiet and all teasing stopped as they waited patiently. Behryn was the Secret Keeper for Reth—as Reth was for Behryn—which ant for this part, Behryn asked the questions.
He took the seat furthest from Reth and locked eyes with him.
"These n stand witness, Reth, of your knowledge, your pledge, and your secrets. The ti has co for confession. Absolve your heart, brother. Open to us and leave nothing unturned. What sins do you carry? What regrets? What dreams? Share your burdens and let the brothers carry them with you—and hold you up to your own goals."
Reth let a breath pass before he nodded. "What do you want to know?"
"Na the females you have forrly enjoyed. All of them. And if any feelings remain, confess them."
Reth was glad the ties to the chair were more ceremonial than restraint. The passed over his upper arms but left his hands free to rub his face.
He started in his teens, naming nas and answering any questions about the relationship his brothers raised, winding his way through the twelve years he'd been mating—not like he had now, with Elia. But the act of mating. And what a pale reflection it was, he now knew.
He shook his head, and took a very deep breath before locking eyes with Behryn.? "…and the last before Elia was… Lucine."
Behryn's face beca thunderous, and the others all sat back in their chairs.
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