At first glance, she appeared quiet and meek—a rabbit among much larger predators. It was only in defense of her horses or those she cared about, that she gave you a glimpse of something more. Something deep and bottomless that hinted at the possibility of greatness.
The dichotomy fascinated him, so Caden had made it his mission to investigate her origin and time with the Trateri. He'd already been fooled once by those they were supposed to be able to trust. He refused to let it happen again with this stranger.
He'd been sure he'd find something, anything, that would relieve him of this unwilling fascination.
Instead, he'd uncovered nothing.
She was exactly as she appeared. An artless waif who'd stumbled on a Trateri warband and asked them to take her with them.
She'd given no sign of anger or resentment at her role within the Trateri. She put her head down and did her job. Even a harsh taskmaster like Hardwick sang her praises, though Caden doubted she realized how much esteem the old man held her in.
Hardwick had dismissed his former apprentices when it became clear they weren't willing to allow Eva to do her work unmolested.
Caden had to wonder if the new ones realized how tenuous their positions were if Eva took a disliking to them.
"She's capable," Caden finally said.
Fallon raised an eyebrow, knowing there had to be more.
"I’ve seen no signs of deception," Caden said grudgingly.
"And I'm sure you looked." Darius smirked at him.
Caden inclined his head. "I found nothing. As far as I can tell, she takes her job seriously and cares little for humans."
"I can sympathize with that viewpoint," Shea muttered dryly.
Her mother, Lainie, smothered a smile. Her daughter's dislike of idiots was well known. It had led Shea to putting her foot in her mouth on more than one occasion.
"I doubt the Trateri will be able to survive having two Shea's in their ranks," Trenton drawled from his spot at Shea's side. As one of the Battle Queen's personal Anateri, he was rarely far from Shea. When you saw one, you usually saw the other.
"I would have to agree with the human," Ajari said. "One is more than enough."
Shea leveled another glare on the Tenrin as Fallon rose, holding out his hand to help her out of her seat. "Come, my Battle Queen, let me make up for the slights you've suffered today."
"You'd better," she grumbled. "This morning the goyles laughed at me when I tried to shoo them away from the calis flowers. Laughed, Fallon."
The goyle was a small creature who inhabited the Reaches, deceptively cute and cuddly until they showed you their very sharp teeth which made it clear they were perfectly capable of defending themselves.
Her words trailed off as she and Fallon made their way toward their chambers. Caden's men fell into step around them, following the hand signals he gave.
Caden remained behind with Drake and Jane, two of his best Anateri who were usually partnered because of how well their skills complemented the other.
"I will take that as my leave," Darius said, draining his goblet and setting it down. "Caden, you know where to find me if you need me."
Caden acknowledged the order.
The general tilted his chin in farewell to the Tenrin before striding past him.
Ajari watched him go with a considering expression. "He's much more dangerous than he appears."
Caden said nothing as the Tenrin’s unsettling gaze came to him.
"Tell me, if I was to follow him, would I even now find your army preparing for war?" Ajari asked.
"We are guards. Such matters are outside our expertise," Caden finally said.
"In other words, you don't care one way or another, as long as I remain docile," Ajari said.
