Eva might have believed him if he didn’t seem so gleeful at her predicament.
She glowered at the interfering nuisance.
"Now, herd mistress, what will you do next?" he taunted.
She pressed her lips together. The Tenrin expected her to fail. Maybe beg for help like some scared little girl.
Eva studied Sebastian and the determined look on his face. He wasn't going to let her slip by him. Worse, if she continued to try, she was very much afraid Caden would act on the thought she could already see floating through his head.
She had no choice.
Stupid, obstinate creature.
"Eva, what's going on?" Hardwick asked.
"What's the hold up?" Darius asked.
"I don't know, sir. Eva's still in there," Hardwick said.
"The woman?"
"Yes," Hardwick replied.
"I'm going to stay in here," Eva called, finally speaking up. "The Kyren might panic still. It's best if I remain to keep him calm."
It sounded as good an excuse as any. Eva couldn't very well admit the Kyren was refusing to let her out.
Only Caden knew the truth. Whether he would share was up in the air. He shook his head in disbelief, sheathing his sword before disappearing over the edge of the back. Gone, as silently and quickly as he’d appeared.
Eva fought the urge to kick the side of the wagon like a recalcitrant child. Why did the commander always seem to catch her at the worst of times?
There was a heavy sigh from Darius. "If that's the case, there's no reason to delay further."
There was the sound of footsteps as he moved off.
Eva lowered herself to sitting, catching a glimpse of Hardwick between the slats. He didn't seem pleased by this new turn of events.
Hardwick reached up, sliding his fingertips through the small opening. Eva touched hers to them.
"Safe travels. Stay near Ollie and don't do anything rash," Hardwick warned.
"No promises."
He snorted and then sighed. "If I was younger, I'd go with you."
Eva couldn't help her amused scoff. "You have more energy than any of us."
"True enough. Still, I’m too old to be roughing it. Don't die. I don't want to go to the trouble of training someone else." He stepped back and moved away, but not before Eva caught a glimpse of gruff emotion in his eyes.
She smiled softly. It was good to have friends. Even if they were taciturn grumps.
Eva glanced at Sebastian. "I hope you're happy about this."
The mythological's ears rotated and she could have sworn he had a horsey smirk on his face.
He was enjoying this. Eva would bet her life on it.
"It's not fair she gets to be in there while the rest of us have to ride," Jason complained.
