"He's hungry," Eva said as she carefully unwrapped the package. "You would be too, if you'd had the night he’d had."
The smell of cooked meat wafted up to her, making her mouth water. The mythological wasn't the only one feeling his stomach. Eva was too. It had been a long night, and she'd had only a cold dinner that consisted of dried fruit and nuts.
She pulled a piece free as the mythological crowded her. Ollie sucked in a harsh breath as the mythological's head dipped and he took the meat from her with surprisingly gentle teeth.
Eva pulled another piece free, feeding it to him and then another after that.
With him occupied with food, Eva was able to examine him. He looked different standing in the full light of morning. His coat gleamed as if the deepest part of night had been distilled into it. There was no hint of brown or mahogany in the undertones as was so often the case with animals who appeared to be all black.
Eva was interested to note his wounds had scabbed over. They appeared several days healed rather than a few hours.
The mythological tired of being fed one piece of meat at a time, shifting so he could gobble from the package in a quick movement that initially sent Eva's heart into her throat.
"Wait, let me set it down," she told him, barely keeping the package from toppling.
She didn't know what he'd do if he was deprived of food. Maybe go after her throat instead?
He attacked the meal with a single-minded intensity that hinted at his extreme hunger.
Curious as to what he was eating, Caia came closer, a whuffling sound escaping her as she tried to lip at the paper Eva held.
Eva shoved her nose away. "No, this isn't for you. Go away, you daft horse."
Caia was undeterred, pushing closer as she tried to get at the meat Eva was feeding the mythological. Sensing his meal was about to be stolen, the mythological shifted closer, bumping Eva with his massive chest and nearly sending her to the ground.
Caia did the same on the other side, nearly stepping on Eva's foot in the process as the mythological tried to protect his meal.
Sensing they were seconds from challenging each other, Eva shoved and pushed them away. "I'll cut off both your manes and tails if you don't quit that right now."
Both equines looked at Eva with similarly offended expressions, as if they didn't understand what had so upset her. She glared back, her chest heaving.
Only a few small pieces of meat remained on the paper.
The Tenrin threw his head back as a laugh roared from his chest. "This was worth being summoned for."
Without taking his gaze off her, the winged horse stretched his neck, his lips moving slowly as he took one of the pieces and swallowed it. Then his tongue flashed out to lick the remains off the package Eva held.
Seeing his preoccupation, Caia jostled him.
"You two are horrible, horrible creatures. No manners, either of you," Eva scolded, feeling slightly embarrassed the Tenrin had witnessed that exchange.
It was one thing to scold and bully when it was just her and the mythological horse, but to have one of his brethren see and be amused by it? She was glad he hadn't taken offense.
Two Anateri appeared on either side of the mythological. A man and a woman. They were fierce-looking warriors, who’d appeared as quietly as ghosts.
Her hands clutched the paper as the wingless mythological gave them a long look, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "I see my escorts have finally decided to announce themselves."
The Tenrin glanced in the direction of the main camp as the thunder of hoofbeats reached them. "There’s your fearless leader now."
Caden rode toward them. Despite the reserved expression on his face, Eva could read the anger burning white-hot behind his eyes.
"Fear not, little mouse. His ire is reserved for me and me alone," the strange mythological said, coming to stand beside her.
He reached out and ran his hand down the winged horse's neck, waiting as Caden dismounted from his horse in the same way Ollie had. The commander strode toward them, his expression a mask of calm.
"Lord Ajari, we expected you at the Keep," Caden said.
"I'm sure you did, which is why I stopped here first. I wanted to get to the truth behind my summoning without having to decipher all your hidden motives. I'm glad I did. It has been a most illuminating morning."
