Reece shook his head. "A day or two, at most."
"How do we know if we can trust these people?" Hanna asked.
Reece shrugged. "You don't, but it would take a brave group indeed to challenge a hundred of Fallon's best warriors, even if a quarter of them are wounded."
Darius considered. "Very well. We'll take today to rest and then tomorrow we'll head out." He cast a glance at the pathfinder. "That satisfy you?"
Reece shrugged. "It'll do."
Ghost snickered. "At least you have balls, I'll give you that."
Reece sent the man a wicked smile. "We're not like the Lowlanders you're used to. You've seen the winters we endure."
There was a collective groan as the others moved out. No one liked to be reminded of the hell of a Highland winter. Caden had never tasted cold of the sort the Highlands survived on a yearly basis.
All the fires and furs in the world hadn't managed to chase the entirety of its grip from his bones.
Darius lingered after the others were gone. "Why do I get the feeling this is just the first salvo?"
"Because it is," Caden said. "This will get much worse before it’s done."
The men he'd taken out last night hadn't been simple Highland folk. They'd been organized and trained. Not as well-trained as he was, but disciplined enough that he'd been glad he'd sent Eva to safety before engaging.
He hadn't shared how close he'd come to death. He probably wouldn't have made it if not for the fox she'd left with him. The creature had interfered at the exact moment Caden had needed him.
"Brace yourself, my friend," Caden advised. "A storm is coming with enough power to reshape the Broken Lands if we're not careful."
*
We'd get there fasterif we were flying,Sebastian said for the third time that morning. He was still irritated Eva had chosen to ride Caia instead of him and had no qualms about making his feelings known. It had led to a frustrating morning.
"I've already told you, that's not happening after the last time," Eva muttered, careful to keep her voice down. She didn't want the Trateri knowing her abilities had increased and she could now hear Sebastian's thoughts. Especially not with the whole traitor thing barely behind her.
The fox sat on Caia's shoulders; his nose lifted as the wind ruffled his fur. He seemed content and happy, balancing perfectly, no matter how rambunctious Caia's gait got.
Eva had thought he'd take off by now and seek out the call of the wild, like so many other creatures she'd rescued. Instead, he seemed determined to stick to her. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
"Did you say something?" Jason asked, spurring his horse to ride at her side.
"No."
"But I thought—"
The sharp sound of hoof beats drowned out the rest of what he'd been about to say as Caden cantered toward them.
Eva bit back the oath she wanted to let loose. Judging by the knowing, satisfied look on the Anateri commander's face, she needn't have bothered. Sometime in the past weeks he'd learned to read her like a book.
"What do you want?" she ground out, still angry about the way he'd ignored her yesterday and forced the issue.
Stupid her, she'd thought they'd cultivated an understanding based on mutual respect during their little adventure. Guess not, if his actions were anything to judge by.
Caden didn't immediately answer, lifting his chin to Drake, her guard dog and jailer, depending on how Eva was feeling at the time.
The Anateri offered a small smile of consolation, a secret humor glittering in his eyes before he cantered away.
"Traitor," Eva muttered under her breath.
Not entirely true, since Caden owned their unquestioning loyalty.
