"Worse than full moons," Maelina answered. "Full moons heighten beasts. Eclipse nights unbalance them."
Eliora's fingers paused over the bread.
"Unbalance how?"
"They feel everything a hundred times more intensely," Maelina said. "Especially bonds and territorial instincts."
Eliora swallowed.
"So earlier…" she murmured.
"Yes," Maelina confirmed. "He is more sensitive than usual."
Eliora shook her head. "That doesn't make it okay."
"No," Maelina agreed immediately. "It doesn't."
The agreement surprised her.
"But it explains it," Maelina added.
Eliora exhaled.
"He ruled alone for years," Maelina said. "With no bond and no one he couldn't afford to lose."
She looked at Eliora pointedly.
"And now he has you."
The fire crackled between them.
"He doesn't know how to share that," Maelina continued. "And during an eclipse, when his instincts are screaming that everything is unstable, he'll grip tighter."
"I don't want to be gripped," Daphne said softly.
