by T. A. White
This would be the longest the two had spent apart since Caia had found her in the Hags’ Forest. She hadn’t realized how much she depended on Caia until now, when the prospect of being separated from her made her throat tight and her eyes scratchy.
She lifted her head, rubbing Caia’s neck one last time before straightening. “Now, be good for Ollie. I know you like to tease him, but his job is going to be difficult enough.”
He’d be the only herd master staying behind since Jason was going with her. Eva was sure the Trateri would help him, but the majority of the work would still fall on his shoulders. He didn’t need Caia acting like a petulant child.
As if sensing her thoughts, Caia’s ears flicked indignantly.
The sight made Eva smiled. Protest though she might, they both knew Caia was used to getting her way.
“No tantrums. I mean it.” Eva sent her friend a meaningful look. “Ollie will tell me if you act up. If you do, I’ll make sure you and Sebastian are kept separated from now on so his stubbornness doesn’t rub off on you.”
Caia’s grunted, her expression insulted.
“Don’t think I’m not aware of what the two of you get up to while the rest of us are asleep,” Eva told her.
The two had formed an odd friendship, disappearing at night when they thought the others were sleeping. Eva knew they sometimes ran together, Caia galloping while Sebastian shadowed her from above.
It was a mostly empty threat. There was little chance Eva would be able to control Sebastian’s actions if he really wanted to stay with Caia, but maybe it would make the horse think twice about giving Ollie too much trouble.
The mare turned her head, refusing to look at Eva. Guilt and a slight sheepishness on her face.
“Eva, it’s time,” Fiona called.
Eva nodded, waving her hand to show she understood. “If everything goes well, I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
Eva moved to walk away. She only made it a step before Caia’s head settled over her shoulder and she used her chin to nudge Eva toward her chest.
Eva shifted, throwing her arms around Caia’s neck and burying her head against her shoulder. The two stayed like that for several minutes, locked in the horse’s version of a hug.
Eva relaxed that part of her she now identified as holding her caller abilities, letting her soul brush against Caia’s.
She was surprised when Caia’s feelings came flooding into Eva. She closed her eyes, basking in the connection with her friend. Somehow, she knew she’d always be able to reach out and find Caia, the bond between them bright and strong.
“Don’t be too good for him,” Eva whispered. “It’ll make me jealous.”
She squeezed Caia one last time and stepped back, an impish grin on her face. The horse had a similar devilish expression as Eva moved toward Sebastian.
She didn’t let herself look back until she’d mounted Sebastian, Caden catching her eyes as she straightened.
He lifted an eyebrow, asking if she was alright in that silent way of his. Somehow, he knew without her having to tell him, how painful leaving Caia behind was.
She smiled faintly and nodded. She would be.
Sebastian was calm under her as she laid one hand on the side of his neck. "Try not to take any sudden detours this time, will you?"
A derisive snort was his only response.
The fire fox bounded out of the hills next to the city, leaping and landing in Eva’s lap seconds before Darius mounted.
Eva clutched at her unexpected bundle, staring down at the fox in surprise. She hadn’t seen him since he brought the mist the Kyren mare and foal had disappeared into.
“What are you doing?” she asked the fox.
A warm tongue on her chin was his only response before he turned in a circle finding a small spot to curl into as he half-reclined on Sebastian’s neck and half on Eva’s lap. Evidently, she was his person now and he planned on accompanying her home without her say so.
She found herself petting the pest, listening as Darius’s battle cry lingered in the air. The Trateri answered with wordless cries; the Kyren screaming as they burst into a gallop. Eva lurched forward, clutching Sebastian’s mane. Riding him was different than riding Caia. There were no reins; the Kyren chose his path. Control was an illusion and she was simply along for the ride.
The ground shook as Eva saw a white flash out of the corner of her eye, Caia’s legs moving powerfully as she kept pace.
One by one the Kyren took to the sky, carrying their riders higher than the Trateri had ever been.
Eva glanced below, catching a glimpse of Caia racing along the hills beneath, traveling with them a short distance in the only way she could. Eva didn’t worry, knowing the mare would circle back to the city and the rest when she was ready.
Until then, Eva had a moment to hope that none of those present were afraid of heights before she let herself get lost in the journey, just as enthralled and amazed as those around her.
*
Making their journey to Wayfarer's Keep took several days, but even then, they were back in a quarter of the time it had taken them to ride out.
Fallon himself was there to greet them when they finally touched down to an audience of Trateri entranced with their new visitors. Eva spotted pathfinders along the wall, each as unwillingly fascinated as the Trateri.
It seemed to be a human trait; this interest in those who embraced the freedom of the sky.
"I see your journey has been an interesting one," Fallon observed as they landed.
Darius grimaced. "Perhaps a little too interesting."
Fallon lifted an eyebrow. "I look forward to hearing about it." He stepped forward, giving his attention to Orion. "It seems we meet again."
Yes, we do.
When there was a long silence, Orion's attention swung to Eva as Sebastian shifted under her. The fire fox yawned, its eyes bright and curious as it hopped down off Sebastian.
There was a small exclamation from a few of those watching when they caught a glimpse of his extra tails.
"Right," she muttered, swinging a leg down and hurrying over to the two.
"Warlord, this is Orion. The leader of his people," Eva said.
Fallon regarded her. "I know."
She hid her wince. Yes, of course he did. That was a stupid comment. Two seconds in and already she was failing.
Tell him we've come to discuss this alliance they seem to want.
She glanced at Orion and nodded before taking a deep breath and facing the Warlord again. "They've come to discuss the alliance."
"Oh?" he asked, swinging his attention between the two of them.
This next part was the one that made her feel ill with nerves. "And I'm their spokesperson."
Fallon lifted an eyebrow. "You can hear them."
Eva hesitated, sharing a glance with Orion before nodding hesitantly.
"Fascinating," Fallon murmured.
It was terrifying being the subject of the Warlord's attention. She knew mentally Caden was as dangerous, perhaps more so when he had a blade in his hand, but he never left her feeling like death was inches away.
Fallon regarded her for several more intense seconds. "I look forward to hearing this. Come, my Battle Queen will want to be present for this."
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
We know what we want. The Caller will be our liaison, Orion said.
Eva went still, her gaze still focused on Fallon as surprise held her in its thrall.
The room fell quiet as if it sensed something momentous had happened.
Eva faced Orion’s steady regard. They were in the same audience chamber Caden had brought her to that first time.
Surprisingly, Orion had been able to fly through one of the large windows high on the wall and didn't seem out of place surrounded by walls and a roof. If he was wary of being caged behind stone, he did a very good job of not showing it.
You've proven you have honor for one of your kind. You've shown kindness to one o
f us when he didn't deserve it. Further, your help with the pregnant mare saved the life of one of our young.
Eva didn't say anything as Ajari steepled his hands in front of his lips and sat forward, his eyes intent on the two of them.
This was what he'd been hinting at, dancing around every time she'd asked, why her.
The Tenrin was as manipulative as the rest of the mythologicals.
Ajari spoke slowly, his voice rumbling through the room as he translated what Orion had said. Eva didn't move, staring blankly at the wall.
"The Kyren suffer from a high birth rate mortality,” Ajari explained, ignoring the glare and snort from Orion. "They, more than any of us, rely on humans and have always had agreements in place. Being called to their side was once considered an honor."
Shea hesitated, glancing at Eva. “Couldn’t she remain here with us except when the Kyren have need of her? Your kind have wings. There is no reason she can’t make her home among us and visit you when you have need of her.”
Ajari was the one to translate Orion’s words. Our intermediary needs to form bonds with the herd. Those can only be established with time. What use is someone whose heart belongs to humans? While I am not saying she must only live among us, for the time being, it is best we get to know her and she us. Perhaps in the future she will be able to travel more consistently between your people and mine.
Eva saw her plans and dreams slipping away.
Forget having a herd of her own one day or winning her place among the Trateri. As the Kyren's liaison, she'd never have any of that. She'd be alone. Forever separated.
Even if she came back, the Trateri would know her loyalty could not be solely theirs. They’d always see her as different, her experiences as forever changing her. She’d stand apart from them.
Her gaze slid to Caden. There was a crack in his normally stony reserve as shock and loss reflected in his expression. It told her the horses she'd grown to know and love wouldn't be the only thing she lost.
Whatever relationship they might have had would be over before it started—ended because of her duty to another.
Eva bent her head, rubbing her forehead tiredly.
Shea stirred. "Give us the room."
The clan leaders and the pathfinder's guildmaster stood and filed out. Fallon lingered, shooting a look at his Battle Queen.
"I'll be fine," Shea told him, setting one hand on his.
He didn’t look happy as he paced out of the room, taking a sizable chunk of the atmosphere with him.
Shea flicked a glance at Ajari and Orion. "You two, as well."
Caden was the last to leave, shooting her an unreadable glance before slipping out and closing the door behind him.
When they were alone, Shea collapsed back into her chair with a relieved sigh. "Whew, I thought this meeting would never end."
Eva didn't know what to say to that.
Eventually, Shea sat forward and rubbed her back. "I'd recognize that look anywhere. You feel your world spiraling out of control and are helpless to do anything about it."
"I imagine most people feel like that at one point or another."
Shea's smile conceded Eva's point. "Very true. I remember that feeling when Fallon found out who I am. I also remember the moment I decided to stay with him, and the loss I felt because I knew I was giving up many of the things I'd worked my entire life for."
"Do you regret it?" Eva asked.
Shea rubbed her belly, a thoughtful look on her face. "Sometimes. My life would be very different had I chosen another path. Not better necessarily, but definitely different. I'm happy with where I ended up." She gestured to the surrounding room.
Shea's situation was a little different than Eva's. She'd chosen Fallon over her duty. Love instead of her people.
Eva was being faced with choosing duty over the potential for something more.
"I had to compromise," Shea said as if reading her thoughts. "I've never been one who had a strong calling. I loved pathfinding and I was good at it, but in the end, there will always be other pathfinders. There was only one Fallon and only he could accomplish what he’d set out to do."
Shea shifted in the seat again, trying to get comfortable despite the very pregnant belly making that difficult.
"It's not either or, you know," Shea said, smoothing a hand over her stomach. "I chose love once, and then duty when I faced the Badlands with little hope of returning." Her smile was pained as if nightmares haunted the edges. "You have to decide which is more important to you in this moment and hope that when the dice roll again, you'll get a chance at another choice."
"You think I should do it," Eva accused.
Shea shook her head. "I think you need to decide what you want and how you're going to get it. Two paths lay before you."
"If I don't do this, the Kyren won't choose another," Eva said stubbornly.
Shea lifted a shoulder. "That won't be your problem. It’s ours. We've come this far without them. No reason we need them now."
But they did need them. It was the only reason they were having this conversation.
"Think it over," Shea advised. "You don't need to decide now."
"If I go, I'll never be one of the Trateri," Eva said.
They would never fully accept her.
Shea leaned her head back. "Neither will I. Sometimes being part of the crowd is overrated. I've always preferred the ones who forge their own path. The Trateri might say one thing, but I think in many ways, they're like me. They respect the odd, brave idiots who throw society’s arbitrary rules out the window."
Maybe some of them. Those like Fiona and Hanna, Ollie and Hardwick. She could see them understanding. But the Trateri as a whole? Who could say?
Shea leveraged herself out of her seat. "Enough of this. They tell me pregnancy is supposed to be joyous and amazing, but at this point I would sell several of my favorite parts of Fallon’s body to be done with it."
Eva smothered her smile. "I'm not sure he’d appreciate that."
Shea's look was sharp. "Then perhaps next time he shouldn't get me into this situation."
"And you and Fallon will let me walk away from this?" Eva challenged.
"Neither one of us wants someone who would be bitter about their fate acting as our liaison to the Kyren. What they offer is a rare opportunity. If you can't recognize that, then you don't deserve it," Shea said with a significant look. "You're a herd mistress without a herd. They're offering to give you one."
And Eva would likely never have one here.
"You don't know this, because he's a dodgy old man, but Hardwick is training you as his replacement," Shea revealed after a few minutes.
Eva's forehead wrinkled. "No, that's for Ollie. He's his heir."
Shea shook her head. "From what I hear—and my sources are top notch—your friend has already refused. He doesn't have the temperament to stand up to fractious warriors. Hardwick has already offered to sponsor you into his clan."
Eva's breath felt like it was sucked out of her. It was a big deal. The equivalent of being adopted by Hardwick. Her crimes became his and vice versa.
Shea's lips twisted up, the smile barely touching her eyes. "It seems you're not as alone or outcast as you thought."
Eva didn't know what to think of this revelation. Her head was spinning as her world reordered itself.
"Why are you telling me this?" Eva finally asked.
If Shea had remained silent, she would have been forced to choose the Kyren, if only for the chance at her own herd. Shea's revelation basically guaranteed her a life here.
"Because you deserve to have all the facts before you make your decision," Shea said simply.
Eva didn't know if that made her kind or cruel. This choice wouldn't be an easy one.
There was a small sound of pain as the Battle Queen bent forward slightly.
"Shea? What's wrong?" Eva asked.
Trenton moved into the room at a quick clip as if he’d been listening at the door, his exp
ression dark and deadly.
"Nothing," Shea said as she straightened. She shot her guard a disgruntled look that crumpled when another groan escaped her a few seconds later.
She grabbed Eva's arm in a punishing hold.
"Are you in labor?" Eva asked in surprise.
"No," Shea groaned.
"I think you are."
"I don't want to be."
"I'm pretty sure what you want, and what is are two different things," Eva said. "You're in labor. Accept it."
Shea growled at Eva, the look in her face unfriendly and petty considering the wisdom she'd spoken with earlier.
"I should have you drawn and quartered," Shea threatened.
"But you won't, because you're in labor," Eva chirped.
Trenton rolled his eyes at the two of them. "You were supposed to notify us as soon as you had your first contraction."
Eva smothered her laughter at the irritation on his face. "And Caden calls me troublesome."
"Caden doesn't have to deal with her on a regular basis," Trenton muttered.
"I needed to be part of this discussion," Shea snapped seconds before bending over on another contraction.
Eva helped her to sit, grabbing a pillow for Shea and pouring her a glass of water.
Trenton shook his head in aggravation before shooting Eva a glance. "Stay with her. I need to summon the healer."
Eva gaped at him as he sprinted from the room.
"Don't look so surprised. You've proved you're more Trateri than most," Shea said in a pained grimace. Her head fell back. "Guess I'm going to have this baby today. Lucky me."
"You were just complaining about wanting it over," Eva pointed out.
"I can have you killed, you know."
"Unlikely, when you're about to be screaming in agony for the next few hours."
Shea snorted. "You're a surprisingly good fit for him."
Eva tilted her head, the next contraction forestalling her question.
Then she was too busy helping as Chirron and Trenton entered the room at a fast run.
"You always have to be so dramatic with all this. You're worse than any warrior I know. Why can't you admit when you're in pain?" Chirron asked in a sour voice.