Shea smiled at her and was relieved when the little girl gave her a tentative smile back. Her arms tightened around Mist. It surprised her how happy she was to see the child. She’d never seen herself as particularly maternal. Children were strange beasts that were great in small doses, but she’d never felt motivated to spend any time with them. Yet, her relationship with Mist was different.
Shea leaned closer, touching her forehead to the little girl’s. “Why would I be mad, little one?”
Mist’s eyes dropped to the ground. “Because I’m the reason you’re having those dreams.”
Shea sat back in shock. “That’s not possible.”
Mist refused to look up at her, almost turning away. Shea had to work to keep hold of the child, even as her mind raced. Could Mist be right? Was she really the one responsible for Shea’s dreamwalking? It seemed impossible—a child sending a dream from hundreds of miles away, but wasn’t that the point? These were the Highlands. What was possible and what wasn’t, tended to get mighty confused these days.
Mist made a small sound of distress, knocking Shea out of her thoughts. She turned her attention back to the little girl. Whether it was possible or not, Mist needed her.
“Shh, it’s alright. I’m not mad at you. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Shea pulled Mist into her arms, stroking her back in what she hoped was a soothing manner. “If anything, I should be thanking you. Darius seemed to think your warning was what saved us in the end.”
Mist lifted her tear stained face and looked up at Shea through watery eyes.
“How did you learn to do that?” Shea asked.
Mist shrugged her small shoulders. “
Shea pushed her advantage, recognizing the little girl’s trust was fragile. The hopeful expression on Mist’s face tugged at Shea’s heartstrings. The girl had burrowed deep in the short time they’d spent together.
Shea’s voice was thick with emotion as she said, “You know, that big stone castle over the bridge is where I grew up.”
Mist turned her head in that direction, as if she could see the place in question despite the numerous tents between her and it.
Shea patted her back. “Perhaps, if you’re good, you’ll get to see inside. It’s where I learned all about beasts and pathfinding.”
Mist’s voice was shy as she spoke, “Do you think they would teach me?”
Shea let out a prayer of thanks that her reaction hadn’t scared Mist back into silence. It was a concern she’d had. She sensed Mist could lose courage at any moment and Shea only hoped she didn’t do something to throw her back.
She gave Mist a smile. “Maybe one day, when you’re older.”
Mist’s face fell and Shea joggled the girl a little.
“You know my friend Clark is going to learn with them for a little while. When you’re as big as him, we’ll see.” Shea lifted her eyebrows in a question.
The little girl giggled and ducked her head.
There was movement near the entrance of the tent and Shea looked up as Daere stepped inside. A tall woman built along lean lines, she shared the tan skin of most Trateri. She had long reddish-brown hair and sharp features that were as striking as they were beautiful.
Daere’s eyes unerringly sought the girl in Shea’s arms. A tension Daere had been carrying seemed to disappear and her face lightened in relief.
Shea felt a moment of guilt, having no doubt Mist was the reason for that small glimpse of fear. Shea probably should have made sure Fallon’s cousin knew Mist’s whereabouts before letting the girl stay.
Under normal circumstances, she would have apologized, but Daere wasn’t like others among Shea’s friend circle. She was a stickler for the rules and in her view, if the warlord never apologized, his telroi shouldn’t either, even when she acted like a thoughtless jerk.
“Daere, I had hoped to see you,” Shea said. “It seems this one couldn’t wait for a reunion.”
Daere’s face as faintly amused as she looked the two of them over. “So, it would seem.”
“Aunty,” Mist said with a glad smile. Daere’s face relaxed, turning radiant.
Shea tried not to let her surprise show. It was always slightly disconcerting to see how well Daere interacted with the child. Shea would have thought she was too strict to be as well liked as she was. Turns out that wasn’t the case.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you, little one,” Daere said in a chiding voice.
Mist lifted her arms asking to be picked up.
