It Takes a King

ELIA

When the men burst in making all that noise and Reth's weight and warmth disappeared, her first feeling was utter terror—she was about to be killed, torn apart by these people. But very quickly it became clear that the men were looking for Reth—who wasn't taking kindly to being interrupted.

Then Elia plunged into horror, bone-deep embarrassment. She scrambled to find furs to cover herself as Reth roared at the men and they all dropped in the face of his rage, clearly trying to keep him calm, but also deliver whatever message they had come to give.

Elia, blushing to her roots, managed to pull one of the furs completely around herself, then sat up. Reth was still crouched on the bed between her and the door, a strange noise in his throat—like a growl, only higher. It was menacing and the men in front of him didn't move.