Eva became abruptly aware of the number of gazes on her. Her hands uncurled from the fists they'd formed as she took a steadying breath.
Hardwick's words were a warning and a reminder all rolled into one. As much as Jason deserved to be punished for his reckless actions, it wasn't her place. He was Trateri; she wasn't.
There were certain lines that couldn't be crossed—even if she was right and he wasn't.
Caia clopped toward Eva, snorting into her hair before nudging her in the back.
Eva relaxed, letting go of the worst of the anger as she reached up and petted the mare’s velvet soft muzzle. This was what was important, not railing against the injustice of it all. Such emotions were useless. They had no place in a tagalong's life.
She grunted an assent and jerked a nod at Hardwick. As much as it burned, she understood why he'd stopped her.
She turned away before hesitating, the satchel on her side reminding her of why she had come back to camp in the first place. She reached in pulling out the nettle bright and shoved it toward Jason's chest.
"You missed some." He flushed, his hands coming up to catch the plants automatically. Eva's gaze swung to Hardwick. "I think I got all of it, but you might want to check."
The skin around Hardwick's eyes tightened further as he cut his eyes toward Jason.
Ollie laid one hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it. "Thanks, Eva. We'll make sure to do that."
Eva paused before giving him a brisk nod. She walked toward Caia, the mare's ears perking in excitement as Eva set one hand on her shoulder, before jumping up in a lithe movement and kicking a leg over Caia's back as she mounted bareback.
"Let's run, Caia," Eva whispered.
As one, the two whirled and thundered toward the other end of the valley, far from the corral. Too bad it wasn't as easy to outrun the rest of Eva's problems.
CHAPTER TWO
The pounding of Caia's hoofbeats kept time to the pulse of Eva's anger. They made their way to the outer perimeter, circling it as Eva worked through her emotions. The movement of her friend's powerful muscles under her and the wind in her hair did their job in soothing most of her fury at last.
She'd been told time and again she needed to keep her temper. They were right. Yet, as soon as someone threatened one of the creatures she loved—whether intentionally or unintentionally—reason and wisdom flew out the window. She was protective of her horses. Almost to the point of being self-destructive.
Eva made a conscious effort to shrug off the disaster of a morning. She was here. Alive. Free, and doing work she enjoyed. Nothing could mar this.
Eva tipped her head back and threw her arms wide to embrace the horizon, laughing as she did so. Caia could decide the course. Eva was simply along for the ride.
Sensing the change in her friend, Caia poured more speed into her gallop, her hooves beating rapidly over the meadow.
