by T. A. White
If he hadn't been, Caden would have already eliminated him despite their long history. The three of them—Caden, Darius and Fallon—had grown up together. They'd been the first to pledge their allegiance to Fallon's cause and would be the first to fall in defense of it if necessary.
Darius had proved his worth as one of Fallon's best leaders. Gregarious and seemingly laid-back, his smile hid darker shadows. He could put anyone at ease, then stab them in the throat in the next moment. He was a chameleon, and what many didn't realize was that he operated one of Fallon's spy networks.
Caden had established himself in a different way. He had no desire to take on a larger role with the army, content to guard Fallon's back and make sure the Anateri were well-trained and equipped to handle any situation.
Shea's gaze was thoughtful. "I believe so. Eva helped me the night you were injured."
Fallon appeared remote and forbidding; he didn't like remembering that night or all that came after.
Neither did Caden. It prodded at feelings of failure for not protecting his warlord and sent anger burning through his veins.
His fists clenched at his sides were the only sign of his inner tumult, as he wished he could kill the traitor, Ben, all over again. He'd strung Ben's torture and eventual death out over a week but eventually the man had breathed his last breath, much to Caden's regret.
He would have liked more time to vent his frustration on the former clan leader. To make him suffer in ways that would be remembered and whispered about for years to come.
Maybe then others wouldn't be so quick to test their luck.
Shea's hand covered Fallon's in a silent acknowledgment of his inner demons. "She impressed me with her courage."
Caden finally stirred. "She informed me of Shea's direction and success once Covath's people released her."
"What's your assessment of her?" Fallon asked.
Caden was silent as he considered his words.
There was something about the woman that was difficult to put his finger on. She was an enigma, lingering in his thoughts long after she'd made herself scarce, like a burr that refused to be brushed away.
At first glance, she appeared quiet and meek—a rabbit among much larger predators. It was only in defense of her horses or those she cared about, that she gave you a glimpse of something more. Something deep and bottomless that hinted at the possibility of greatness.
The dichotomy fascinated him, so Caden had made it his mission to investigate her origin and time with the Trateri. He'd already been fooled once by those they were supposed to be able to trust. He refused to let it happen again with this stranger.
He'd been sure he'd find something, anything, that would relieve him of this unwilling fascination.
Instead, he'd uncovered nothing.
She was exactly as she appeared. An artless waif who'd stumbled on a Trateri warband and asked them to take her with them.
She'd given no sign of anger or resentment at her role within the Trateri. She put her head down and did her job. Even a harsh taskmaster like Hardwick sang her praises, though Caden doubted she realized how much esteem the old man held her in.
Hardwick had dismissed his former apprentices when it became clear they weren't willing to allow Eva to do her work unmolested.
Caden had to wonder if the new ones realized how tenuous their positions were if Eva took a disliking to them.
"She's capable," Caden finally said.
Fallon raised an eyebrow, knowing there had to be more.
"I’ve seen no signs of deception," Caden said grudgingly.
"And I'm sure you looked." Darius smirked at him.
Caden inclined his head. "I found nothing. As far as I can tell, she takes her job seriously and cares little for humans."
"I can sympathize with that viewpoint," Shea muttered dryly.
Her mother, Lainie, smothered a smile. Her daughter's dislike of idiots was well known. It had led Shea to putting her foot in her mouth on more than one occasion.
"I doubt the Trateri will be able to survive having two Shea's in their ranks," Trenton drawled from his spot at Shea's side. As one of the Battle Queen's personal Anateri, he was rarely far from Shea. When you saw one, you usually saw the other.
"I would have to agree with the human," Ajari said. "One is more than enough."
Shea leveled another glare on the Tenrin as Fallon rose, holding out his hand to help her out of her seat. "Come, my Battle Queen, let me make up for the slights you've suffered today."
"You'd better," she grumbled. "This morning the goyles laughed at me when I tried to shoo them away from the calis flowers. Laughed, Fallon."
The goyle was a small creature who inhabited the Reaches, deceptively cute and cuddly until they showed you their very sharp teeth which made it clear they were perfectly capable of defending themselves.
Her words trailed off as she and Fallon made their way toward their chambers. Caden's men fell into step around them, following the hand signals he gave.
Caden remained behind with Drake and Jane, two of his best Anateri who were usually partnered because of how well their skills complemented the other.
"I will take that as my leave," Darius said, draining his goblet and setting it down. "Caden, you know where to find me if you need me."
Caden acknowledged the order.
The general tilted his chin in farewell to the Tenrin before striding past him.
Ajari watched him go with a considering expression. "He's much more dangerous than he appears."
Caden said nothing as the Tenrin’s unsettling gaze came to him.
"Tell me, if I was to follow him, would I even now find your army preparing for war?" Ajari asked.
"We are guards. Such matters are outside our expertise," Caden finally said.
"In other words, you don't care one way or another, as long as I remain docile," Ajari said.
Caden raised an eyebrow, refusing to be baited. "I think you will take offense no matter what I say."
Word games. It wasn't the first time an ally of Fallon's had tried to lure Caden or one of his Anateri into a position where they said something unwise.
The games always remained the same. In that, mythologicals and humans were similar.
Lainie stood, drawing Ajari's attention. "I’ll have a room prepared in the Keep if you would like. I'm sure we can find something to suit you."
Ajari's lips tilted up on one side, seeing the interruption as the distraction it was. "If you have something high up, that would be preferable."
"Are your friends remaining?" Caden asked.
"My escorts prefer the freedom of nesting in the Reaches," Ajari said.
"I'll let my people know of their presence so there aren't any misunderstandings," Lainie said.
It was a necessary precaution since there were several pathfinders stationed in the reaches above the Keep to watch for the signal fires Fallon had set up in case of attack.
The pathfinders, whose stronghold had never faced invasion because of its unique geological defenses, had been breached shortly before winter. The mist which had protected it for thousands of years from invaders had burned away, only returning recently.
The attack had led to a heightened awareness of the need to be proactive in the Keep's protection—something Caden felt should have been a priority all along. If this had been his home, you could bet he'd have arranged sentries long before the pathfinders had.
A wave of disgust at their laziness threatened. They had become content and complacent in their safety, and they had paid the price.
"And do you intend to accompany me to my chambers so I might rest?" the mythological asked in an attempt to make Caden uncomfortable.
What Ajari didn't understand, was the Trateri didn't have the same hang-ups over same sex couplings the Lowlanders and Highlanders did. While men weren't Caden's preference, he wasn't insulted at the insinuation either.
"We're here to ensure your safety during your visit with the Tra
teri," Caden said.
"Is your warlord so uncertain of his people's loyalty?" Ajari asked.
"Not at all," Caden said. "However, you said yourself, many things hunt for the first time in an age. The alliance is too unstable to chance your safety. Please allow us to act as your first line of protection." Caden bent forward in the slightest bow.
Ajari studied him before smirking. "You are more interesting than your silent appearance suggests. Very well, wolf. I will allow you this."
Caden didn't let the slightly mocking words affect him, well used to the strong personalities of the Trateri clan leaders Fallon dealt with on a daily basis.
They tested him in the same way Ajari did. It took a fine balance to negotiate the often-tempestuous waters, but it was something Caden had perfected long ago. It was why he'd given himself this task rather than entrusting it to one of his men.
"I have traveled far and look forward to experiencing this human bed you've promised," Ajari said.
Laine smiled and gestured for him to proceed him. "I know just the room for you."
Caden and the other two Anateri fell in behind them. He wanted to see Ajari settled and his people stationed before he peeled off to complete his other duties.
Caden had learned to trust his instincts, and they were clamoring, telling him change was once again in the wind. For good or ill, was yet to be determined.
*
Eva tried to quell the slightly panicked feeling in the pit of her stomach as she checked Caia over one last time. The mare had a disgruntled look on her face as Eva tightened the saddle, before checking and rechecking everything she'd done before.
While the mare loved a good run, she hated saddles almost as much. Normally, Eva could indulge her by riding bareback, but not this time.
This journey felt different from those they'd embarked on before. In the past, every trip had taken place with the entire Trateri army accompanying them. It was madness and chaos but of the controlled sort. She knew what to expect from those. A long day in the saddle with not much to do as they moved slowly across the Lowlands.
This time, she was venturing into the unknown. Judging by the sheer number of those who'd reported to the pasture and how busy Hardwick and the rest were as they prepared the mounts, it wasn't going to be a small party.
The journey ahead would take weeks, if Ajari was to be believed. While Eva was good at riding bareback, she didn't want to do it over that kind of distance.
She touched the small saddle roll and bags on either of Caia's flank but didn't open them. Ollie had helped her prepare for the journey ahead and she knew she had everything she needed—even if she was slightly terrified she'd forgotten something, despite checking everything five times already.
She took a deep breath, quelling her instinctive anxiety. You've got this, she told herself. It's just another movement like all the ones before. Who cares if you're going into the upper reaches of the Highlands where people are scarce and the beasts are terrifying?
She'd be in the company of a hundred Trateri warriors. She'd be fine. She would. She needed to stop acting like a mealy-mouthed Lowlander and start acting like she was a Trateri—chosen, if not born.
Caia's ears tilted forward and she let out a soft whicker.
"Aren't you a beauty, but I suspect you know that." Shea's voice came from behind Eva.
Eva lifted her head. "Tel—" She cut herself off with a wince.
"It's alright. I'm not quite used to my new title either," Shea said. "You can call me Shea, just like I will call you Eva."
Shea's hands went to her belly as she surveyed the proceedings wistfully.
Eva realized the Battle Queen wished she was going with them. It was a different outlook than she had been raised with. When women in her village got married and started having babies, they were tied to the hearth and the home and rarely left it.
It was one of the biggest reasons Eva had resisted any of the men her parents had thrown at her. She was too invested in keeping her freedom, what little there was of it. If she had settled for a husband, it would have curtailed her wandering outside the village borders. She would never have explored the dark interior of the forest or run with her beloved horses again.
She couldn't think of a worse fate—except maybe acting as a sacrifice for their harvest. A shiver ran down her back at the close call she'd had to losing it all.
She wondered if the warlord would expect his queen to stay behind from now on. If so, it was a pity. Shea's example was an inspiration for people like Eva, who'd had others tell her all her life what she could and couldn't do, because of her misfortune of having been born a woman.
Seeing Shea waiting expectantly, Eva finally nodded. "Shea it is."
A small figure peeked shyly out from behind Shea. A girl, no more than six, with bright blue eyes looked around with curiosity.
"Who is this?" Eva asked, crouching and smiling at the child.
"This is Mist. She wanted to see everyone off," Shea said.
"Do you want to meet my friend?" Eva asked.
Mist nodded, taking a step from Shea's side with more confidence than Eva would have assumed from her silence. So, not entirely withdrawn, but not trusting either.
"This is Caia," Eva said, standing and patting the mare's shoulder. She didn't worry about what Caia would do to the little one. It was only adults who had to be wary.
Mist's smile brightened her whole face, allowing Eva a glimpse of the blond-haired imp waiting inside.
"Do you like horses?" Eva asked.
Mist nodded.
"What do you like about them?"
Mist jerked a shoulder up but didn't speak, petting the parts of Caia she could reach.
Shea joined them. "Mist isn't much of a talker."
Eva met the Battle Queen's gaze, noting the tension in her expression as if Shea was preparing to intercede if Eva tried to berate or make fun of the girl.
Eva's smile was easy and held no judgement. "That's alright. I'm not much of one either. It's better to listen than run your mouth all the time, isn't it?"
Mist looked up, her gaze bright and wondering. Slowly, her chin dipped in a nod as she made an affirmative sound.
Shea touched the girl’s head, her gaze fond. "I'd go with you, but the little one makes that an impossibility. Stopping every hundred feet for a bathroom break would make the journey last months instead of weeks." Shea grimaced. "Next time, when my stomach isn't bigger than my head. Until then, I'm sending my cousin with you."
"Do you regret being so restricted?" Eva asked, nodding at where Shea's baby rested.
Shea frowned thoughtfully. "Once I thought I might, but truthfully it's a whole new type of adventure. I'll ride out again, but perhaps not for a short time."
Shea tilted her head to the right at a man who was readying his own horse. The mount was one Eva didn't recognize. It was stockier than the Trateri horses and its coat was thick and coarse.
"My cousin, Reece. He's a bit arrogant. Cocky for sure, and a general pest at the best of times, but he's nearly as good at pathfinding as me," Shea said without an ounce of humility.
Eva envied her the confidence. What must it be like to be so sure of yourself that you knew you were the best without ever needing proof from anyone else?
“That's very kind of you." It was the only polite response Eva could think of. She spent most of her time with horses. They didn't care if she was a bit rough around the edges, as long as she loved them.
Shea snorted, surprising Eva. "No, it's not. Don't let these Trateri get your head twisted. You're the one doing us the favor. If you come back with an alliance agreement, you will have accomplished something not even I could do."
Eva's lips parted as Shea's surprisingly intense hazel eyes met hers.
"I don't know if I can do this," Eva confessed. The expectations were huge. No one was saying anything, but Eva suspected the cost of failure might be the life she'd built among them. She wasn't sure anything was worth risking that
.
The Battle Queen sobered. "Don't look at it as something you can or can't do. Look at it as getting to know a winged form of horse. Something wondrous and unique. After which, you will be the only human alive with the experience."
"You're asking me to go somewhere no one I know has ever been." It was a lot, if Eva was being honest. And she'd promised herself she'd always be honest with herself, even if no one else would. She was tired of lies and half-truths.
She also knew herself. She lacked Shea's sense of adventure.
"True," Shea agreed.
"What if I fail? I could lose everything," Eva said. There was an ache in her voice. She cleared her throat trying to get rid of it. The last thing she wanted was for Shea to know the full extent of her self-doubt.
"I'll let you in on a little secret. I've failed so spectacularly in the past that my own people turned from me," Shea said with a small smile.
Eva stared at her. It didn't seem possible.
"The Trateri were my second, possibly third, chance. Failure is always a possibility, and I won't lie and say the consequences might not be high," Shea said. "But if you fall, you pick yourself back up. It's the only way for people like us to be. But I think you know that already."
Eva rubbed her palms on her pants and licked her lips.
Shea stepped closer, "You left your past behind for a chance to remake yourself. I know it's not easy. Gods above know it wasn't for me either. There were times I thought I regretted my decision. Times where I was hard-pressed to stay, when I wanted to leave."
Shea glanced around the bustling camp, nostalgia in her expression. "It was worth testing my boundaries and finding a reason to stay."
Shea's words touched the part of Eva she kept shielded and closed off, for fear of being hurt.
"Now, let me look over your mount," Shea said, changing the topic. "I want to make sure you have everything you need."
Eva stepped aside, shooting an uncertain look at the Anateri as Shea busied herself checking the straps and packs Eva had just finished checking.
Both men held her gaze with inscrutable expressions, their thoughts guarded behind granite-hard expressions.
