"That wasn't for you to decide," she hissed.
“I take it he had more to say," Caden said.
"He knew they were coming and didn't tell us because he wanted to hear what Mathias knew," she said, the confession making her angry all over again.
"Good decision. I would have done the same," Caden told Sebastian.
Eva felt Sebastian's pride as he preened at the compliment.
Get on my back,Sebastian ordered.I can carry you to safety.
"We can't leave Nell behind out here," Eva said. Beasts would eat him if the people following them didn’t catch him first.
Impatience pushed at her.The human male can stay behind to care for the wingless one.
"We're not leaving him either," Eva said.
Fool.
Eva didn't respond to the insult. If the Kyren thought she was the type to abandon someone in a situation like this, he was wrong. Eva had already done that once and had to live with the consequences of the decision. She wouldn't do that again.
"What's the plan?" she asked Caden.
Hard fingers wrapped around her arm as he pulled her to Sebastian. "You're going to take the Kyren and go."
She shook her head and kept shaking it. "I'm not leaving you behind."
His hand was warm when it cupped her cheek. Firm lips met hers in a kiss that was as surprising as it was heated.
He drew back as a slow smile dawned. His next words snapped her out of the stupor his kiss had sent her into.
"I'm an Anateri warrior. The best Fallon has to offer. You'll only hold me back if I have to worry about keeping you alive. Alone, we each stand a chance. Together, we’ll likely die."
Stung, Eva jerked back, her face wiped clean of all expression. "I told you how I felt about leaving people behind."
"Sometimes we do what we must. There is no shame in that. Get Darius and his warriors. It's our best chance," he advised her, his words hard but the touch against her neck gentle.
For the first time, she wished she was a warrior. Then perhaps she could stay and fight by his side instead of being sent away like a child.
"Stay alive or I'll never forgive you for dying," she warned.
"The terror your disappointment should spawn fails somewhat when coming from a Lowlander," he returned.
He cupped his hands. She stepped into them, allowing him to lift her up before swinging her leg over Sebastian's back.
Once there, she bent down, grabbing his arm before he could turn away. Her mouth opened but no words left her. She didn't know what to say.
His hand reached up to grasp hers. "Fly fast, fly far."
"I am coming back for you," she promised him.
He didn't respond, stepping back and slapping Sebastian on his withers. The Kyren jolted under her, lurching upward as the fox sprang into her lap, seeming to fly for just a moment.
He looked up at her.
"I don't want to leave him alone," Eva confessed.
His presence in her mind turned quizzical.
