by T. A. White
"Did he get all of that?" Eva asked Ajari, craning her head to look up.
Ajari studied his claws and shrugged one shoulder. "Who can say what a mythological understands?"
Eva glared at him. That wasn't an answer
"You ready?" someone yelled impatiently from outside.
Eva hesitated, glancing at the Kyren. He looked ready to bolt. Sadly, Eva didn't think he was going to get any calmer.
"Do it." Eva took Sebastian's muzzle in her hands and pressed her forehead against his. His fear pulled at her, threatening to drag her into a deep dark well.
He liked being trapped in small spaces no better than she did.
There was a torturous wrench from below and then the net inched up to cup his belly. It wasn't actually meant to be constricting, unless he lost his balance.
Once in place, two throwaways climbed the side of the wagon before tossing straps across the top of the wagon to each other.
As soon as those straps touched Sebastian's back, he bucked. An unearthly scream pierced the air as he twisted and kicked the side of the wagon. Hard. One back hoof crashed through a slat.
A man screamed in pain and Eva heard something heavy thump to the ground.
She was too occupied trying not to be crushed under Sebastian's bulk or speared with his horns to worry about anyone but herself. She yelped as she narrowly avoided a hoof in the face.
Shouts and screams sounded from outside.
Eva caught a glimpse of someone at the rear of the wagon before Sebastian's thrashing forced her to concentrate on her own survival.
"Would you like to lend a hand?" she shouted at Ajari.
He stared down at her in amusement. "Not really. This is your job. You're going to have to figure it out at some point.
Perhaps, but she'd prefer not to do it while trapped inside a small space with a hysterical equine who considerably outweighed her.
The Kyren didn't need his lethal horns or his meat-eater teeth to kill her. He could just as easily accomplish the deed with his hooves or by crushing her against the side of the wagon.
Eva reached for the wall of the wagon, thinking she might be able to climb out. Sebastian leapt forward, his teeth closing on the spot where her hands had been as she scrambled back, darting into a corner as she wondered what had possessed her to think this was a good idea.
It took several seconds to think past the fear, but when she did, she realized for all his heaving and panicking, the Kyren hadn't actually done her any harm.
Somehow, he'd managed to miss squashing her even in the throes of his panic. His fear had become hers, tangling with her emotions and heightening them.
She panted as she forced calm back into her veins. She was alive, and she was going to stay that way.
Jason's head appeared above the edge of the wagon’s side.
"Don't," Eva warned. Sebastian wasn't in his right mind. He'd hurt anyone who tried to enter.
Jason didn't listen, throwing his leg over the wall and preparing to drop into the wagon.
Sebastian whipped around, his teeth sinking into Jason's calf. There was a sharp scream and then Jason was yanked back the way he'd come.
Eva closed her eyes and forced more of the panic to recede. Some of it was hers. Most of it was Sebastian’s. It filled him up. Made him desperate, which made him dangerous.
"Eva?" Ollie yelled.
"I'm alright."
She was. Somehow.
"Climb up the side," he ordered.
Sebastian stopped moving and stood still, his sides heaving and his head lowered.
"Not yet." She needed to try something first.
"Eva, listen to him," Hardwick ordered.
As much as Eva wanted to do exactly that. She couldn't. Fail here, and they would be right back where they’d started. No one would be willing to try this a second time.
Eva approached Sebastian slowly as she crooned a short lullaby.
"What is she doing?" Jason asked. There was an edge of pain in his voice.
"The exact opposite of what she was told," Hardwick said grimly.
Eva ignored the commentary, reaching for that small piece of herself she mostly ignored.
This was the real reason she'd never been able to fit in her old village. Sometimes the accusations weren't paranoia or suspicion. Sometimes they were blind stabs in the dark that turned out to be true.
She stepped forward, capturing Sebastian's face in her hands and meeting his eyes as she sank deep into that connection.
Even more fear and panic flooded her, and it was all she could do to stand still and not flee. Pain and paranoia came next.
"Help me understand," she whispered.
She had a feeling Sebastian understood this connection better than she did, as a thread of calm floated through their bond. His sides still heaved but he stopped resisting.
An image slowly formed in her mind. Wings and nets. Bright splashes of pain as barbs dug in.
"I understand now." Eva shut her eyes and leaned against him. She hated feeling such weakness, even as she used his strength to remain standing when her legs would have collapsed.
All that emotion. She had no idea how he stood it.
"We won't put them on your back," she promised him.
Slowly, she coaxed him into position again, picking up the strap he'd torn loose from those outside and threading it back through the slats.
A hand grabbed it and Hardwick's eyes met hers.
"We're not going to use the straps for his back," she informed him with a level of calm that would have been impressive if she hadn't felt like she might throw up.
"How does she expect that to work? If he panics while we're moving, he could flip the wagon," someone she couldn't see said.
"He'll be fine if we use only the ones under him," Eva assured Hardwick.
He watched her for several seconds, weighing her words before he nodded, deciding to trust her. "You heard her."
There was a short protest that was quickly shushed.
"Maybe you want to get out of there before we start," Hardwick suggested in a tone that made it an order.
Eva shook her head. "I can't do that."
She was the only one who had any hope of keeping Sebastian calm enough for the rest to do their jobs.
"Eva," he warned. Hardwick wasn't the sort who liked being disobeyed.
"You should get on with it," Eva interrupted, knowing she'd pay the price for her insubordination later. "I don't think the general is going to be patient very much longer."
There was a muffled growl before the straps tightened beneath Sebastian.
"Careful," Ollie barked.
She could hear the sounds of arguing. Eva ignored it all. Her task was simple. Keep Sebastian calm enough so they could secure him in the wagon.
Everything else could wait until that was accomplished.
Eva stepped closer to Sebastian, her arms going around his neck as she leaned against him. The mythological was docile against her as she tried to project her own peace into him. It was a fanciful concept, but as Eva's mother would say, her head was usually up in the clouds instead of on the tasks she'd been given.
"We'll get through this together," Eva said into his mane.
It was probably just her imagination, but she thought she sensed the anxiety surging through him lessening. It was what led her to continue talking.
"You know, I'm afraid of small spaces too." Eva petted him as the sound of the strap ratchets tightening threatened to send him into another panic. "And of the dark, and of being bound so I can't move or escape. My parents used to lock me in the closet when they caught me daydreaming instead of doing my chores."
She didn't blame them for their punishments, not really. Every person in the village had a task to fulfill. One person not upholding their part put everyone's survival in jeopardy.
If she could have prevented the flights of fancy or her fascination with horses, she would have. But, fitting in had never been a real possibi
lity; she'd learned to embrace her differences instead.
"Do you know what got me through those times?" she asked him, not expecting an answer. While he might understand her, verbal communication was impossible.
She dropped a kiss on his nose as she sensed him listening to her. His labored breathing was better and his tail didn't flick as violently as it had before.
She was getting through to him. "I used to imagine a light in my mind. I'd hold it there and warm myself in its rays while I told myself a story."
She glanced up into his deep brown eyes, the color of fertile earth right before the planting season. There was patience and understanding there.
He knew some of what she wasn't saying and how much it cost her to share this with him. Eva was a private person and didn't trust easily–-even mythologicals who seemed to be every one of her dreams come to life.
A horse with a human intelligence, one so free it could fly? For someone who loved her charges as if they were her own children, how was she to resist such a tempting combination? The only thing that surprised her was that Ollie and Hardwick weren't at her throat competing for the opportunity. Both had seniority.
Yet somehow Eva was the one who'd ended up standing at the Kyren's head while the other two were outside. She didn't know how it happened, but standing here, keeping him calm, she knew she didn't want to give up her place. Not for any reason.
He'd chosen her. Whatever might come, she'd do her best to live up to the honor. It was all she could do.
The slightest whisper of a “yes” brushed her mind. Eva couldn't tell if it was her imagination or if it actually had originated from Sebastian. In the end it didn't matter.
She kept her strokes soothing and her voice melodic as she began to tell the story of Cammi, a young girl who never fit with the people she'd been born to, and yet managed to save them anyway.
It was a story well known in her old village and one she empathized with. She'd just reached the part where the girl made a deal with the tree hags and was absorbed into them when Hardwick said, "We're done, Eva. Now, get out of there."
Eva released a relieved breath as she patted the Kyren one last time and stepped back. "See, that wasn't so bad."
Sebastian tilted his head down at her, the look in his eyes asking, who did she think she was kidding? Her smile in response was surprisingly mischievous. "I think you just like being grumpy."
She pointed at the straps. "These will keep you from accidentally injuring your leg further. If necessary, you can fly out any time you want."
She started past him. The glimpse of Caden's tense face where he stood at the very edge of the wagon, surprised her. As did the sword he held in his hand. Her lips parted on a question.
Sharp teeth closed over her shirt, stopping her.
Eva jerked back, even as Caden started to lunge forward. "No, it's fine."
Her words halted him in his tracks. His eyes narrowed, unhappiness on his face.
Sebastian shifted, finally sensing the Anateri commander. He blew out a sharp breath and lifted one back leg in warning as his head turned.
She glared at Sebastian. "Enough of that."
Sebastian bared sharp teeth as he stared her down.
Her back straightened and she narrowed her eyes.
"Eva, what's the hold up?" Ollie asked.
"I need a minute. It seems the lummox is being a wee bit difficult," she said.
The lummox in question snorted disdainfully at her.
"Now, see here, " she started, propping her hands on her hips. "I have to get out there so we can get going. You're the one who was in an all fire hurry to start. The least you could do is not make my life any harder than it has to be."
For a creature with an equine face, Sebastian was incredibly expressive.
Right now, insolence and demand radiated from every feature. She wasn't getting past him without a fight.
"You wouldn't dare."
Caden's body was tense, his focus piercing as he crept an inch toward them.
Sebastian's muzzle darted forward. Eva danced back as his teeth clicked shut on the spot where she'd just stood.
Caden crouched, his sword lifting for a strike.
"No, I'm fine."
Caden didn't look like he believed her, but he didn't advance again.
"This is quite the development," Ajari said.
She looked up to find the Tenrin perched on the wagon wall where he propped his head on one hand and smiled lazily down at her.
"Do something," she said.
"Oh no, I wouldn't dream of interfering. If your people want a relationship with the Kyren, you're the one who is going to have to establish it. My stepping in anytime you have a communication problem will only delay things," he responded.
Eva might have believed him if he didn’t seem so gleeful at her predicament.
She glowered at the interfering nuisance.
"Now, herd mistress, what will you do next?" he taunted.
She pressed her lips together. The Tenrin expected her to fail. Maybe beg for help like some scared little girl.
Eva studied Sebastian and the determined look on his face. He wasn't going to let her slip by him. Worse, if she continued to try, she was very much afraid Caden would act on the thought she could already see floating through his head.
She had no choice.
Stupid, obstinate creature.
"Eva, what's going on?" Hardwick asked.
"What's the hold up?" Darius asked.
"I don't know, sir. Eva's still in there," Hardwick said.
"The woman?"
"Yes," Hardwick replied.
"I'm going to stay in here," Eva called, finally speaking up. "The Kyren might panic still. It's best if I remain to keep him calm."
It sounded as good an excuse as any. Eva couldn't very well admit the Kyren was refusing to let her out.
Only Caden knew the truth. Whether he would share was up in the air. He shook his head in disbelief, sheathing his sword before disappearing over the edge of the back. Gone, as silently and quickly as he’d appeared.
Eva fought the urge to kick the side of the wagon like a recalcitrant child. Why did the commander always seem to catch her at the worst of times?
There was a heavy sigh from Darius. "If that's the case, there's no reason to delay further."
There was the sound of footsteps as he moved off.
Eva lowered herself to sitting, catching a glimpse of Hardwick between the slats. He didn't seem pleased by this new turn of events.
Hardwick reached up, sliding his fingertips through the small opening. Eva touched hers to them.
"Safe travels. Stay near Ollie and don't do anything rash," Hardwick warned.
"No promises."
He snorted and then sighed. "If I was younger, I'd go with you."
Eva couldn't help her amused scoff. "You have more energy than any of us."
"True enough. Still, I’m too old to be roughing it. Don't die. I don't want to go to the trouble of training someone else." He stepped back and moved away, but not before Eva caught a glimpse of gruff emotion in his eyes.
She smiled softly. It was good to have friends. Even if they were taciturn grumps.
Eva glanced at Sebastian. "I hope you're happy about this."
The mythological's ears rotated and she could have sworn he had a horsey smirk on his face.
He was enjoying this. Eva would bet her life on it.
"It's not fair she gets to be in there while the rest of us have to ride," Jason complained.
Eva let her head fall back against the wood as she stared up at the sky.
If anyone wanted to take her place, they were welcome to it. Traveling in the wagon promised to be even more uncomfortable than riding horseback for hours on end.
She had a feeling she was going to be one massive bruise by the time they stopped for the night.
"What can you do?" Delia asked. "The Hawkvale chose her for this. We're apprentices anyway. We'd never
have been where she is."
"It should have been one of us," Jason said.
"You mean it should have been you," one of the other apprentices, Eva thought his name was Quinn, pointed out.
She couldn't help the brief flash of a smile. It seemed his fellow apprentices weren't as blind to Jason's shortcomings as she’d thought.
"That's not what I meant," Jason argued.
"Save it," Delia said. "I get why you don't like her, given your history, but you're not even giving her a chance.”
"Enough chatter," Ollie barked. "You still have tasks before we set out. Jason, get back to work. Quinn, Delia—even though you’re staying behind, I expect your best for Hardwick."
There was a stunned silence before the apprentices made muffled apologies as they headed back toward their individual assignments.
The sound of someone moving closer reached Eva and fingers slipped through the slats. "Don't listen to whatever they're saying. They're jealous. They'll warm up to you soon enough."
Eva grunted as she touched her fingers to his. She doubted it, but she didn't bother saying that to Ollie. He needed his lies even if she didn't.
"I'll bring you food and water when we stop. For now, this will have to do." A canteen followed by a wrapped package sailed over the wagon wall.
"Ollie, thanks," Eva said.
"What is family for?"
He walked off as Eva rested her head against the wagon wall. In Eva's experience, family usually meant guilt trips and impossible expectations before the inevitable betrayal and heartbreak.
"Are you just going to watch us all day?" Eva asked without looking up.
"Tempting, but I'll let the two of you bond in private." Ajari disappeared from view.
"You have interesting taste in friends," she told the mythological.
He snuffled and snorted in agreement.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Eva unhooked Sebastian's straps, sliding them out of the slats until they rested on the floor. She began to guide the Kyren from the wagon with Ollie calling cues from outside.
Sebastian only made it two steps before he halted.
"Keep going," Eva urged. "You don't want to sleep here tonight, do you?"
Sebastian gave her an irritated look seconds before his wings flared. Eva barely had time to duck before Sebastian cleared her head with a powerful leap, flying out of the wagon as if it was no more of an obstacle than a blade of grass.
