Taming The Queen Of Beasts

<strong>RIKA</strong>

She wasn't sure how it had happened, but her heart was caught up and she was letting go of her fear because this was beautiful, and she didn't know how much longer it could last. She wanted to soak it all in before it disappeared.

Elia and Elreth had rushed her upstairs, chattering and exchanging ideas—Elreth speaking in code, obviously wanting to suggest something to Elia without Rika knowing.

"I mean… she's going to be family. And I think it would fit… but it's up to you?" the young Queen said. Rika found her a little intimidating, but tonight she seemed a little more relaxed than Rika had seen her before. Perhaps because it was just family—and Rika?

Elia turned to Rika then, distracting her from her thoughts. There were tears welling in her eyes, but she smiled broadly.

"Rika, you need a dress," she said. "And the anima don't wear them often, so I only own a couple. They might be a little tight in the bodice, but we're roughly the same height. Would you like to try one of mine?"

"That… that would be lovely," Rika said earnestly. "But… you mean, for the vows, or something?"

Elia nodded. "The males won't care of course, but I think every woman should feel beautiful when she's giving herself. This is a day you'll remember for the rest of your life. And if you want, I'd love for you to wear my dress. The dress I wore when… when I offered my throat to Reth."

Rika blinked. "Offered your throat?"

"It's an ancient tradition only the lion tribe uses," Elreth said quickly. "It's something you can consider later if, I mean, you know, as you guys grow closer. Geez, Mom, let the girl think. He hasn't even claimed her."

Both women looked a little bit disturbed at that and Rika swallowed. "Claimed? What's that?"

"It's a beautiful thing, but it can be a little… confrontational. Probably not something you'll be interested in," Elia said quickly, turning her attention back to Rika. "Don't worry about it. I am getting ahead of myself. That's not what we're focusing on tonight. Let me show you the dress and see if you like it. The blue and gold would set your skin off beautifully, I think…"

Rika was distracted then, but made a mental note to ask Gar about this claiming and offering business as she turned towards Elia who'd crossed the room and was pulling something out of a closet in the corner.

When she got the dress out and laid it on the bed, Rika's breath caught. It was beautiful. All creamy, soft fabric that seemed to float on even the lightest breath of air. And when she gave into the urge to stroke the stunning embroidery, it was so soft.

"There's a couple marks on it now, Elreth's Flames and Smoke were… eventful," Elia said dryly. But it's such a beautiful dress. And it would mean so much to me, Rika, if you'd try…"

Rika could barely breathe. She couldn't believe Elia wanted her to try this stunning dress. And one that clearly had history in their family. She nodded and at Elia's suggestion, started to take off her clothes. The women both found reasons to turn their backs so she could get naked and pull the dress over her head without an audience. But she was stuck trying to tie the halter neck by herself and finally asked Elia for help.

When Elia turned, her hands went to her mouth. "Ohhh, you're beautiful!"

Elreth spluttered something nice through her own teary smile and Rika suddenly found her throat pinching.

"Why do you keep being so nice to me?" she blurted at the older woman. "You don't even know me?"

Elia walked forward and hugged her, squeezing hard. It took Rika a moment, but she hugged back, swallowing her own tears.

"You're about to become my daughter. I'm not being nice to you, Rika. I love you."

Rika blinked, those words hitting a place deep in her chest that ached and yearned. "But you don't know me!" she insisted. "You can't just love me when you don't know if—"

"Yes, I can, because my son loves you and I love my son, and if you're the one the Creator made for him… Rika, I've been waiting to meet you his entire life!" Elia hugged her again, then laughed as she wiped away her tears. "Gosh, I'm such a sucker for this stuff," she laughed, beckoning Elreth over, who rubbed Rika's shoulder and looked a little teary.

Then they got busy, twisting her hair and pulling down the little strands around her face, and fluffing the skirts of the dress that had been pressed into the back of the closet.

Then they both stepped back, folding their arms and looking her up and down. Elreth beamed, and Elia looked like she was going to cry again.

"You're so beautiful, Rika," she said, hands over her mouth.

"Gar is going to have kittens," Elreth snorted.

Elia slapped her arm, but she sniggered too.

Rika found herself suddenly so desperate to be a part of this easy love this family shared. Desperate to know the jokes and share the pains and… to just be one of them.

"I… thank you," she said, pulling out the skirts and letting them drop. "I don't even know what to say."

"Say that you'll take care of him," Elia said, another tear trickling down her cheek. "He really needs someone to love, and to love him. He needs to be the special one in your life, Rika. He needs to be first. He needs to believe he can be first."

Rika tried to say the words, but they caught in her throat on a sob that she had to swallow first.

"He… he already is," she admitted, dropping her face into her hands, because saying those words out loud were crazy. It made them real. And her head kept warring with her heart—she felt it. She felt like Gar was the one. The only One. The too good to be true. Like she could happily walked into the forest with him and never say boo to another human being—or Anima—for the rest of her life. That he was enough. He was all she needed.

And that was utterly terrifying. It made no sense.