by T. A. White
Caden leaned against the wall, watching her with an enigmatic expression. “I can see that. Your last one left a lot to be desired as well, but at least it ended with a kiss.”
“Would it make you feel better if this one ended with one too?” Eva asked.
He lifted an eyebrow. “It might.”
She scowled at him. He’d given her relief from a guilt that had at times felt suffocating. Why was he making this so hard now?
He had to know this was the best option. She was doing exactly what Fallon and Shea wanted. They needed this alliance. The only one who could make it happen was Eva.
She knew he understood the call of duty. More so than most. He’d practically devoted his entire life to it.
Caden didn’t look away, his gaze demanding and direct.
Fine. If that’s what he wanted.
Eva stepped forward, not giving herself time to hesitate. She pulled his face down to hers, her lips meeting his in a kiss that stole her breath and made her chest ache.
The anger that had forced her to meet his challenge deserted her, leaving Eva feeling everything.
What should have been no more than a peck, over and done with in an instant, turned into so much more.
Their lips clung to each other, his hands coming up to pull her closer, his fingers digging into her braid as he deepened the kiss. His intensity was nearly scorching, his hands just this side of bruising as he imprinted himself on her, ensuring she’d never forget this man.
The kiss was a thunderstorm that lingered, made up of regret and wishful thinking, its fury threatening to wipe away everything in its path.
It was bittersweet, filled with the taste of regret and pleasure. All thunderstorms passed; they never lasted.
He felt the change in her and drew back, their breath mingling as they stared at each other from inches apart. He brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his expression searching, almost tender as he examined her.
“Thank you for telling me,” she whispered, her lips meeting his briefly before she dropped back to flat-footed.
“Always.” He brushed her hair away from her face, his gaze searching. There was a need in his face. Almost like he was begging her to ask the question.
She shook her head, before letting her forehead drop to his chest. His arms closed around her, wrapping her in a tight embrace.
Because of Jason, and from things Caden had told her, she knew exactly how hard he’d worked for his position at Fallon’s side.
How could she ask him to leave that?
The answer was she couldn’t. He had to decide for himself. She already knew which choice he would make, and it wasn’t her. The worst thing was, she couldn’t even blame him. Not really.
Fallon was his purpose, his home. Caden had found a place at his side. Eva needed to find her own place now.
Eva let herself linger in his embrace. Just one more minute. One minute passed and then another. She breathed in his smell, wrapping it around her, memorizing it.
She stepped back, not quite able to meet his eyes. “Come on, Fox. We need to get going. Hardwick wanted to speak with me about some things before we leave tomorrow morning.”
Caden was silent as the fox leapt down, rubbing his side against Caden’s leg before padding over to Eva.
“I’ll see you the next time I’m back,” Eva said, finally meeting Caden’s eyes. She concealed her flinch at the stoic expression that greeted her, his gaze expressionless.
She didn’t let herself hold out hope they’d be together again like they just were. It might be months before she returned. Years possibly. He would no doubt move on, if not by the next visit, then eventually.
She knew herself well enough to know she wouldn’t. Somehow, he’d managed to reach past the wall she’d kept between herself and everyone else. He’d made a place for himself there, and not even ripping him out by the roots would heal the hole his absence would leave.
He didn’t say anything, only stared at her, that odd look in his eyes.
She flashed another stiff smile, and patted her leg to signal the fox. She walked toward the door, feeling like she was leaving an important piece of her behind.
So faint, she almost didn’t hear over the wind, she heard him say, “I grow weary of you walking away from me.”
Funny thing, she felt the same way.
*
"Have everything?" Hardwick asked gruffly.
Eva nodded, resisting the urge to check her bag again. She'd done so three times already.
The herd master looked over the Kyren and grunted. "I'll be up to check on you in a few months. We're driving some of the herd up there. Fallon wants me to find and breed a few mountain horses with ours to see if we can produce a mount better suited to this climate."
"Smart," Eva said.
He looked at the Kyren again and shook his head. "You're wasted on them. If you ever change your mind, I’ll take you back."
Eva's smile was small and tentative. "I never got to thank you for everything you've done for me."
He waved her words away with a grunt. "Didn't do it for any other reason than you were useful." He reached back and pulled out a set of reins, the colors and weaving of the leather distinctive. They were of Hardwick's own design using materials from the Earth clan.
"Thought you could use a pair," he rumbled. "If they'll let you use them."
Eva took them, her eyes wide and admiring. It would have taken him days to create this. She'd never seen him give a pair to anyone, despite the begging and cajoling of more than one warrior. Even Ollie had never gotten a set.
"I can't accept this—" she started.
He clapped her on the shoulder. "It's the least you can do since you're ruining all my carefully crafted plans. Do you know how hard it is to find decent herd masters?"
Eva was struck speechless at this confirmation of Shea's prediction.
"Take care of the runt. Jason shows promise if you can force him to get his head out of his ass," Hardwick instructed.
She'd asked Jason to accompany her to the herd lands. Somehow, he'd grown on her over the trip. Leaving him behind had felt wrong, and she had a feeling she could use his help. The man had proven he could be an asset.
Those accompanying them would ride the Kyren until they met up with the group making their way back toward the Keep. There, they would hook up with them, choosing their mounts. The injured would be escorted back by several Kyren while those who could travel would accompany Eva the rest of the way to the herd lands.
"Well, take care." Hardwick walked away on those abrupt words, but not before Eva caught the slightly reddened eyes and sheen of wetness.
She hesitated before throwing herself at his back, wrapping her arms around him and leaning her head into his shoulder blade. "Thank you. If I could pick my father, it would be you."
A sniffle escaped him before his voice came, thick and clogged. "Don't be daft. You're mine whether there's a drop of blood between us or not. You remember everything I taught you, when they start getting unruly. And for Rava's sake, use the tent. I spent a lot of time gathering the best materials for you. Don't make my hard work go to waste."
A sob tried to escape as Eva nodded against him. She hadn't thought this would be so hard. This goodbye was ripping out her heart.
He pushed her away. "No more of this. This isn't the end. As your adopted people say, ouvea auntou ani. Farewell until our paths cross again."
He patted her head awkwardly, giving her time to rub the tears away. "Now get with you."
Eva's smile was more watery than normal as she walked toward the Kyren.
Are you ready? Sebastian asked.
Eva nodded.
The fox had already scrambled onto Sebastian’s back, curling into the small cradle the Trateri artisans had created for him. By the way he yipped and pawed at it, she could tell he was pleased, especially when he settled into place with a happy grin.
Eva started toward him, stopping when a familiar f
orm next to Orion caught her attention.
Caden finished strapping his pack to the new saddle the Trateri artisans had created based on what they'd used during their first trip. This one was better, taking into account the Kyren's wings and unique musculature.
Her lips parted in surprise. "What are you doing?"
He shot her a look, his lips barely tilting up on the ends. "What does it look like?”
Eva blinked dumbly at him, almost afraid to hope. There had to be some other explanation for this. He couldn’t be coming with them.
She shook her head slightly, her lips parting as her eyes found his.
His gaze softened, warmth filling his gaze. “You really should ask me that question.”
She bit her lip, her eyes glossy and wet as she tried to swallow back the feeling in her chest. “Really?”
“Ask and find out.”
She nodded, even as a hand dashed away some of the tears that had escaped. In a voice so low she wasn’t sure he’d hear, she whispered, “Will you come with me?”
The smile that came was slow and wicked. “I think I will.”
Eva found herself with her arms around his neck, clutching him to her before she could think better of it.
“Did you think you'd escape me so easily?” Caden whispered into her ear, his arms closing around her. “Someone has to make sure your pretty ass doesn't get dead. Otherwise who knows what sort of situation you’ll find yourself in."
His grin was taunting as she drew back
She sputtered as Caden used his body to gently push her out of the way so he could check over her bag and saddle, much as he had during that first trip.
Finished, Caden dropped a kiss on her surprised mouth. Even that small touch sent heat flickering through her.
"But Fallon—," she whispered.
One hand cupped her neck. "He’s always been able to protect himself. We both agreed you could use me more than him. I've handed over the reins of the Anateri's day to day operations to Trenton, but I’m still the commander. My focus will simply be on founding a new division, one meant to work closely with the Kyren."
"That means—"
"I'm all yours," he finished for her.
She stared at him, stricken. "You didn't have to give up everything for me."
His thumb caressed her jaw. "I gave up nothing. I found another way to serve him, one that is just as important and something only I could do."
Her head cocked, a question in her eyes.
“Not everyone could have beaten a force like that back almost singlehandedly,” he teased.
Her mouth dropped open. He’d nearly died. Would have if not for Orion. Not like she could say that, however.
The dark look in his eyes said he had guessed anyways.
He nudged her toward Sebastian and stepped back toward Orion. "You should saddle up. We have a long way to go and you have more sword lessons this evening. If you're nice, I'll even show you how to set up your tent."
Eva gazed at him for several seconds before a smile dawned. "Don’t think that because you decided to tag along that you’re going to get your way. I never agreed to lessons or sleeping in a tent."
DISCOVER MORE BY T.A. WHITE
The Firebird Chronicles
Rules of Redemption – Book One
The Broken Lands Series
Pathfinder’s Way – Book One
Mist’s Edge – Book Two
Wayfarer’s Keep – Book Three
The Dragon-Ridden Chronicles
Dragon-Ridden – Book One
Of Bone and Ruin – Book Two
Destruction’s Ascent – Book Three
Secrets Bound By Sand – Book Four
Shifting Seas - Novella
The Aileen Travers Series
Shadow’s Messenger – Book One
Midnight’s Emissary – Book Two
Moonlight’s Ambassador – Book Three
Dawn’s Envoy – Book Four
CONNECT WITH ME
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Writing is my first love. Even before I could read or put coherent sentences down on paper, I would beg the older kids to team up with me for the purpose of crafting ghost stories to share with our friends. This first writing partnership came to a tragic end when my coauthor decided to quit a day later and I threw my cookies at her head. This led to my conclusion that I worked better alone. Today, I stick with solo writing, telling the stories that would otherwise keep me up at night.
Most days (and nights) are spent feeding my tea addiction while defending the computer keyboard from my feline companions, Loki and Odin.