"I've faced worse odds," he said.
Sarcasm filled Eva's eyes. "Really? Worse than an army that outnumbers us by quite a lot."
Caden shrugged. "Yup."
A disbelieving scoff left Eva.
Caden quirked an eyebrow at her. "I have."
"Name one," she challenged.
"The battle for Wayfarer's Keep."
Eva bit back her response, Caden's smugness making her want to smack the expression right off his face.
Only she couldn't, and she knew it.
He was right. Wayfarer's Keep was a pivotal battle the Trateri almost hadn't won. They'd been well outnumbered by a horde of beasts. The waves almost crushing them beneath their weight.
"You won that because Darius brought reinforcements at the last minute," Eva said.
Caden's shrug was unconcerned. "You never know what will happen in battle."
Eva's eyes narrowed. He was much too confident for someone so controlling.
Caden's arms swept her up, pulling her more fully against him.
"How did Darius know where to be at the exact moment we needed him most?" Caden bit her earlobe.
Eva didn't react as she sorted through his meanings. Understanding dawned slowly. "You're saying Mist warned him."
Caden had a faint smile on his face as he nodded. "The same Mist you've already had contact with."
Caden rolled Eva onto her back, tugging her shirt down so he could kiss the pieces of flesh he bared.
Eva pushed him away. "I only had that dream yesterday. Fallon and any backup he could bring is still week's away."
Caden perched his chin on her breastbone and grinned at her. "Is he now? Are you sure about that?"
Realization dawned. "You—He's here? You planned this?"
Caden pulled up her shirt, baring her stomach. He pressed several kisses along its length. He nipped at her skin, making her gasp as her stomach clenched with need.
"Then the alliance? You expected it to fail?" Eva asked, trying not to get sidetracked.
Caden lifted up, framing her hips with his knees. "No, we hoped you'd succeed, but Fallon taught me to always have a backup plan. As important as the alliance is, it's not our only obstacle. This army and the people filling it seek to strike at the heart of our rule. That can't be allowed to happen."
Caden held still over her, giving her the sense that he was waiting for her reaction.
Eva reached up, cupping him around the neck and drawing him to her. "I find the twisting nature of how your mind works quite attractive."
Caden's smile was slow in coming and the seduction contained within made Eva's toes curl.
eighteen
"WhataboutJane?"Evaasked as Caden bent toward her.
"I dismissed her for the night," he promised as he helped her take off her shirt.
