by T. A. White
Caden kept that to himself. He didn't have time for the hysterics of a throwaway who couldn't comprehend the intricate nature of the Trateri command structure.
"Let's go." They didn't have time for this.
Eva paused where she was patting the Kyren's neck as she took in the large wooden door to the Keep. Consternation flashed across her face.
Didn't think about that, did you?
Caden crossed his arms over his chest and waited to see what she'd do next.
The Kyren might be able to fit through the door—if the pathfinders guarding it would allow it. Caden somehow doubted that.
Now, what is your next move, herd mistress?
Eva bit her lip as her gaze turned to him, slightly pleading. She wanted to ask him to bring the Warlord and his council out here, even as he knew she wouldn't dare. There were some lines you didn't cross. Even a throwaway would know that.
Caden’s gaze caught on a slight tear in her shirt, skin peeking through from where the Kyren had grabbed it.
She opened her mouth and he tensed, anticipating her rebellion.
"Perhaps I should wait here," she finally said, gazing around her.
"No."
She cocked her head, her expressive face showing her irritation. To his surprise, she didn't challenge him. Not verbally at least.
She continued to pet the Kyren until the creature reached around and shoved her toward the door with his nose. She stumbled forward and would have fallen if the Kyren's wing hadn't come out to catch her.
"Oh, all right," she told the Kyren.
Eva straightened her shoulders and faced Caden, her cheeks slightly red as if she just realized he'd been watching the strange interaction.
"I'm ready," she said.
"Finally." Caden grabbed the door to the Keep and opened it, slipping through before she could.
He knew she'd see it as an insult but didn't care. These Lowlanders didn't understand security. He was the killer in this scenario, trained to end a person's life in more ways than the woman behind him would probably ever comprehend. It only made sense for him to go first.
Caden moved quickly. They were late—especially considering Ajari's head start.
Caden didn't like being late. Not when his Warlord and Battle Queen were in the mix.
He hated that he wasn't there to protect their backs. Furthermore, he resented the horse mistress for making his delay necessary.
She hurried after him, her steps loud as she fought to keep pace.
Caden's mind had already turned to security matters and away from the inconvenience dogging his footsteps by the time they reached the meeting room.
Horace, upon seeing him approach, snapped to attention and pulled open the door.
Caden stopped by his side. "Anything I need to know?"
Horace's gaze went to the curious woman next to Caden who wisely held silent, her eyes wide as she took in everything.
"We have four Anateri guarding the Warlord and Battle Queen and five more in the rafters above. I also have two squads standing by, per your orders for any encounter with a mythological," Horace replied in a strong, even tone.
He was one of Caden's most trusted, but then, they all were. There wasn't a man or woman who made it into the Anateri who didn't have Caden's backing. He'd handpicked each and every one. Their loyalty to him and Fallon was assured.
They'd performed exactly as expected in his absence. It still didn't make that tight feeling in his stomach go away.
"I thought Ajari's people were our allies," the woman said hesitantly.
Caden slid her a cool glance. He didn't have time to educate her on the nuances of politics.
She looked slightly startled, her gaze flicking between the two of them uncertainly as her throat worked.
"Very good," Caden told Horace. "Anything else?"
Horace hesitated before lowering his voice. "Darius has made the appropriate arrangements for the worst-case scenario."
Which meant Darius had half his army standing by in the event Ajari and Covath decided the only answer to this situation was battle.
It might seem like a drastic response, but it was the way of their people. The Trateri might show trust, but they always planned for every eventuality.
Darius might seem the easygoing general to most of the world, but Caden knew him for what he was. A ruthless killer, every bit as merciless and vicious as Fallon—and Caden.
Caden took the woman's arm and guided her into the hall. "If I were you, I would walk very softly. These are not the type of people you want taking an interest in you."
"As if I couldn't figure that out for myself," she muttered.
Caden's reluctant smile surprised him. He hadn't expected to be amused by her. The smile disappeared as quickly as it had come, leaving the terse Anateri warrior behind.
Good, her fear meant there was some sense in that head of hers. It might keep her alive where bluster and bravado would surely end her.
"Common sense—I wouldn't have thought it."
"I'm not an idiot, Anateri," she said softly.
This time his smile was raw and unamused. The little rabbit had teeth it seemed. She'd need them in the dangerous world she was about to enter.
Caden swept a glance over the room, noting the pathfinders’ guildmaster, Lainie Halloran, sitting on one end of the table, her husband a silent presence behind her. The man might be a pathfinder but Caden suspected he was more. He protected his wife's back with a vicious tenacity Caden admired, even as he made plans to take out the other man in the event it was ever necessary.
"Prove it," Caden ordered, pulling her to a stop.
Eva sent him a defiant look even as she lifted her chin.
Caden shifted his attention to Fallon, attuned as always to his Warlord's needs.
"Then we're agreed," Ajari said, flicking a glance at everyone assembled. "This means war."
Eva made a slight garbled sound next to him.
Shea heaved a sigh, eyeing the mythological with something approaching irritation. "Why is your first instinct always to declare war?"
Ajari shrugged. "It's hard to forget the sins of the past."
"How about instead of rushing to judgement, we take a moment to figure out what actually happened?" Shea said sourly.
Fallon, at her side, lifted a hand to cover the smile Caden knew was threatening. He seemed to find his queen's frequent temper, which only seemed to grow as her belly did, somewhat amusing.
Shea shrugged, fixing Ajari with a hard look. "It's your choice of course."
Fallon was a supportive presence at her side, the seeming casualness of his posture a lie. Caden knew he was ready to move if Ajari became a threat.
Ajari didn't answer immediately, instead studying Caden and Eva.
Caden met his gaze head-on, not caring if Ajari read his death in Caden’s eyes.
Fallon was the one who cared about politics. Caden just liked killing things. He was simple like that.
If his warlord told him to tear apart the mythological, he'd do it and sleep like a baby afterward.
"Very well. Since you seem so passionate about this matter. Please, continue." Ajari waved his hand.
"Despite appearances, these people weren't Trateri," Fallon said.
"Interesting claim," Ajari drawled. "I assume you have proof."
"We can show you their bodies and let you decide." Shea made to rise, only making it halfway up before grimacing.
"Perhaps someone else could do that," Fallon suggested in a deep rumble.
Shea jerked to face him. "I'm perfectly capable of escorting Ajari. I'm not an invalid yet."
"I agree, but you had a long night and you're hurting and tired today. Let someone else do it," Fallon said gently.
Ajari's head tilted. "I find myself in agreement with your warlord. Examining the bodies can wait, especially since you're not as spry as you once were."
There was a choked sound from Lainie, while Darius suddenly became absorbed with his wine glass.
Eva glanced back at Caden, her eyes wide as she shuffled toward the door, making it obvious she'd prefer to be anywhere but here.
Fallon's expression was frozen between laughter and horror.
Ajari glanced around the room, his intelligent gaze taking in the sudden tension. "Is it something I said? I am still learning the nuances of human interactions."
Humor glinted in Fallon's eyes as he and Caden shared a glance. Caden shook his head. Poor bastard. He had no idea the hornet’s nest he'd stumbled into. It would be entertaining watching Shea teach Ajari the error of his thinking.
Ajari's gaze grew wary as he noticed Shea appeared seconds away from leaping out of her seat and clawing his face off.
"You have much to learn, Ajari," Lainie said smoothly, only a hint of amusement threading through her voice. "Women do not like having such things thrown in their face." Her gaze cut to Shea. "True as they might be."
Shea relaxed into her chair, looking less like she wanted to do bodily harm to the Tenrin, as she grudgingly conceded they all had a point. "Damn stomach. I can't get anything done around it anymore." She glared at Fallon. "I blame you for this."
He smirked. "I remember you being a more than willing participant."
Whatever remark Shea had was forestalled as she grimaced, one hand going to her stomach.
Ajari's eyes dropped to where her hand rested. "The young one grows strong."
"A little too strong," Shea said with a wince. "I'd prefer he or she save the cartwheeling and kicking for when they're not inside me."
Ajari's mouth twitched even as his gaze went back to Fallon. "I've spoken with Sebastian. His version of events seems to agree with yours. It's why I didn't have my escort fly me off the second we arrived."
"You've been playing us this entire time," Shea said in realization. There was a speculative look on her face as if she didn't know whether to be angry or impressed, as Ajari bent slightly at the waist in a short bow.
"As you say," he said.
"Why?" Fallon rumbled.
Ajari straightened before giving the Warlord a respectful nod. "For this alliance to work, we must both be able to look past our long history as enemies. I needed to test your response to determine the depth of your character."
Shea and Fallon silently regarded the mythological.
"What's the rest of your reason for testing us?" Darius asked.
"We need to ask a favor," Ajari responded. "The Kyren are at a crossroads. They sent Sebastian to find help. Unfortunately, he was waylaid by men posing as your soldiers. Given the alliance we have, he dropped his guard. It allowed them to capture him, delaying his mission."
Fallon and Darius exchanged glances, neither man happy to hear that the winged horse had been captured by people masquerading as Trateri. It pointed to a wider problem they'd only caught the barest glimpses of so far.
They were standing in the midst of a building storm. It seemed the Kyren's appearance was about to push them into the center of it.
Darius motioned one of his people forward. A woman with the sides of her head shaved, her hair longer on top approached, bending slightly as he spoke quietly into her ear. She listened for a moment before striding away.
"We will help if we can. Did Sebastian say what his people needed?" Shea asked.
"They'd planned to watch and determine if you were worthy of the task they planned to request of you," Ajari said simply.
"Please. Don't leave us in suspense," Lainey said with a wry twist of her lips as they all waited.
Ajari's expression didn't thaw. "Despite your claims of innocence, it would be easy for my brother to assume otherwise. Whether it was your intent or not, people wearing your insignia sought to enslave Sebastian. We have wiped out civilizations for less."
"Get to the point, mythological," Fallon ordered.
A cunning expression skated across Ajari's face. "We are willing to overlook this for a small concession on your part."
"That is?" Shea arched an eyebrow.
Ajari was quiet for a long moment as he considered his words. "The Kyren have always had human companions. Before our long imprisonment, they would call specific companions to their side."
Fallon shifted, his eyes intent as he leaned forward, Shea motionless at his side.
"This connection is a treasured one. They communicate through my people because yours cannot hear their voice," Ajari said.
No one spoke as everyone waited with bated breath.
"There are a few humans, who with enough training, can be taught to listen and speak for them. They're rare, and the Kyren were not sure they would find one in this new age."
"But they have," Shea concluded. It wasn't a question but a statement of fact.
Ajari shrugged. "Who is to say. For now, the Kyren request you send the woman to them so they can decide for themselves her worth."
Shea leaned forward, her intent gaze landing piercingly on Eva. The expression on Fallon's face was considering as he surveyed the herd mistress.
Eva's knuckles were white as she clenched her hands together, showing the apprehension Caden had expected when he first swept her up to ride before him. He prepared to grab her, in case she tried to run. Instead, she surprised and impressed him by stepping toward those assembled.
"Why me?" she challenged.
Ajari's head turned as he regarded her for several heartbeats. "Why not you?"
"There are plenty of herd masters among the Trateri who are more experienced in working with horses than I am."
"They do not fit the Kyren's requirements. You do. They did not answer Sebastian's call. You did. They didn't stand at his side while two armed men threatened bodily harm. Again, only you did all that." The smile Ajari directed toward Eva appeared taunting.
Caden's eyes narrowed. The winged horse had told Ajari a lot in the short time they’d had. Enough so, that Caden detected a degree of respect for the woman in the mythological's manner.
Interesting—because Ajari and his people were nothing if not consistent. They tolerated humans, but Shea was the only one who was shown a modicum of respect.
Shea had impressed them during her time in the Badlands, but they were still withholding judgment on the rest of humanity. Perhaps one more human had managed to distinguish themselves in their eyes.
"If it's not you, it is no one," Ajari said with a finality they all felt.
Fallon shifted, drawing Caden's attention. The Warlord looked thoughtful.
Caden had enough history with his warlord to see the wheels turning. Plans and schemes were shifting and changing in his mind. He was already plotting how best to use this information for the Trateri and his own advantage.
Caden almost pitied the woman at his side. Whether she realized it or not, liked it or not, she had just become an important piece on the Warlord's game board.
"To be clear, if we do not send her, the Kyren will not ally with us?" Darius said.
"This is a test," Ajari stated. "They need your help. Fail them and you are correct—they will never ally themselves with you."
Caden knew how badly Fallon wanted the winged horses at his side. They would give the Trateri an advantage that couldn’t be overstated. Perhaps enough of one to build an empire that would stand a thousand years.
To have a form of transportation that could take a journey of several weeks and turn it into one of a few days? With such a force, the man who controlled it would be nearly unstoppable.
Fallon's gaze met Caden's for a short second. Caden nodded slightly, showing he understood. Darius watched the two of them before lifting a glass of wine to his lips.
"You will have what you need," Fallon said finally.
Eva made a small sound like she wanted to protest but held her silence.
Smart woman. The herd mistress was turning into an unexpected surprise.
Ajari's smile was small until Fallon continued, "But I will be sending people to accompany her."
Ajari eyes narrowed. "That is not the deal."
<
br /> "Even I didn't go into the Badlands alone," Shea spoke up, smirking. "Eva is one of us. She won't face this task on her own. With the return of the mythologicals, these lands are more dangerous than ever. She will have our support and protection."
"I can send a few pathfinders with them as well," Lainey offered. "You might have need of them."
Shea nodded, accepting the offer.
The skin around Ajari's eyes was tight and his expression careful.
Eva's head jerked toward him, before she lowered her eyes again. One hand drifted up to rub at her forehead.
After several minutes of silence, Ajari said, "That will be acceptable. However, the woman will be the only one allowed into their herd lands."
Shea hesitated as she looked at Fallon. The two shared a silent conversation before Shea directed her attention to Eva. "Is that acceptable?"
Caden tensed, expecting the mouse to waver and ruin months of hard work getting the winged horses to the table. She was a Lowlander. She’d done well so far, impressively so, but they only had so much courage in them.
Eva cleared her throat, looking uncertain. "If that is Sebastian's wish, I’ll do my best to meet their needs."
Shea rubbed her head. "I guess we have an accord. Eva, you're going to want to pick several people you trust to go with you. You might be in their herd lands alone, but the journey there won’t be easy."
Eva's hands clenched by her sides as she gave the Battle Queen a shaky nod. Uncertainty on her face, she glanced around the room before making her way toward the entrance of the Keep.
Caden watched her go, before flicking a hand at Horace, telling him without words to follow her and make sure she arrived safely.
Horace left his post, shadowing the woman on whisper-soft feet. She didn't react to the other man’s presence, and something told Caden she didn't even realize she was being followed.
CHAPTER FIVE
"What is your opinion of the woman?" Darius asked when the door had shut behind Eva, leaving the rest of the council and Ajari behind. "Can she be trusted?"
As Fallon's strong right arm, Darius was a skilled tactician. More importantly, he filled Fallon's role when the warlord's attention was turned to more important things. He was loyal down to the bone and would defend Fallon's place as the head of the Trateri clans with his very life, if necessary.
