Caden wasn’t surprised Darius had noticed where he’d chosen to lay his head since that first night. The other man was extremely observant and especially good at understanding what drove people.
“She has nightmares. I didn’t want her to wake the rest of camp,” Caden said.
It wasn’t the entire truth. That first night when he’d heard her whimpers, he’d felt compelled to bring her out of whatever dark torments her mind had created.
For someone who strove to be seen as capable, he knew she’d be embarrassed if anybody heard. Sleeping near him seemed to keep the worst of the nightmares away. It cost him little to give her that peace.
“We all have nightmares.”
Caden looked at him, one side of his mouth tilting up. “Does this mean you want me to hold your hand before you drift off to sleep every night?”
Darius snorted, but left the matter alone, even as he made it clear he thought there was something more between the two of them.
Caden didn't care. The general didn't have the authority to remove him from this assignment no matter his reservations. Only Fallon could and it'd likely be months before they crossed paths again.
"It's rare for you to accept jobs that take you away from his side," Darius prodded. His eyes were knowing. The perils of a childhood friendship whose length had spanned some of the darkest periods in Caden's life.
"My men can take care of anything that comes up," Caden said evenly.
He returned his attention to the last of the group as they made their way to the resting point. There would still be hours left until they stopped for the night. Progress was slow and laborious. Another reason people were so irritated.
"You'll tell me if there's something I need to know," Darius said.
"Of course."
Darius's gaze caught on the wagon and he shook his head. "That weakness makes us a target. How much longer will we need to carry its dead weight?"
"Not long. A day. Maybe two."
Eva went out of her way to avoid him, speaking in short sentences whenever their paths crossed and she had no choice, but that didn't mean he wasn’t listening. He had eyes and ears everywhere. It was how he knew she thought the Kyren's leg had healed enough to chance walking on it for the length of time a day's travel would require.
"She couldn't have decided this before we pulled it up this steep ass hill?" Darius asked.
Caden shrugged. He wouldn't have been surprised if the herd mistress had delayed getting rid of the wagon simply to inconvenience them. She might not rebel directly, but she was a master of finding indirect ways to make people feel her unhappiness.
He should know. He’d been on the receiving end for the last four days.
The men watched as the throwaways pushed and shoved at the wagon, walking along its sides to make sure its wheels didn't hit anything.
"When we're done with it, make sure they're part of the group that accompanies it back to the Keep," Darius murmured.
One of the men looked up just then, making eye contact with the general. It was the group's leader, Vincent, the man who'd been a bastard to Eva that first night.
Brave man to be an ass to the one person who might care about his fate. Not so brave now, when faced with the general's full attention.
Vincent looked away, saying something to the man behind him who shot a surprised glance their way before they both went back to work, trying to appear absorbed in what they were doing.
Sending them back was best for all involved. No one wanted people they couldn't trust at their back out here.
"Keep me informed if the situation changes." Darius guided his horse around as he rejoined the group.
"You'll be the second to know after me," Caden called.
"I wouldn't expect any less of the Warlord's Sword," Darius said, not bothering to hide his smile. "You know, another man might take umbrage with you having that title and think he deserved it more."
"Good thing they're not in your position." Caden slid the general a look. "Otherwise, they might lose their head."
"The monster clad in human skin," Darius observed as his horse carried him away. "I feel pity for the poor woman if she actually has caught your attention."
