Fionaslantedaglanceat Caden. "She has a point."
"I know," Caden said.
But just because you knew something in your head didn't mean your heart agreed. Caden was a man of duty, his needs coming second to his responsibilities. Even if he wanted to stay, Eva knew he had to go.
It was who he was. She wouldn't change that. It was why she'd fallen in love with him in the first place.
"You going to be okay? I can stay if you need." Fiona quirked an eyebrow at Eva.
Eva aimed a wry smile at her friend.
Staying behind was the last thing Fiona wanted—which was why Eva appreciated the fact she'd offered.
Over the past few months, it was obvious her friend hadn't been exactly herself. Laurell's loss had affected all of them, but especially Fiona.
The desire for vengeance was a vicious mistress, and it had ridden Fiona hard. Her friend had lost weight and there were dark circles under her eyes that Eva knew came from sleepless nights staring at the mountains.
Eva had seen her out there more than once while making her periodic midnight rounds to check on her charges.
Eva saw how Fiona's inaction chafed, chipping away at her until shadows lingered behind her eyes.
Fiona hid her frustration well, but Eva had learned to be observant and the things she was seeing in her friend said she was getting close to her limit.
Sometimes waiting was the hardest thing. It could grate on the soul—especially when you yearned for a resolution.
"I'll be fine," Eva assured them.
She looked up to find Caden's gaze trained on her. He didn't have to say a word. His silence spoke volumes.
"I will," she said again.
It was as much to reassure herself as him. Eva couldn't always hide behind Caden. Sometimes, she had to stand on her own. Even if the pit of her stomach was telling her what a bad idea that was.
"Besides, something tells me we're going to have a visitor soon. If anything can get their attention and compel them to finally open up communication, this will."
When that happened, it wouldn't matter whether Caden had stayed on not.
Caden dropped the mask he imposed between himself and the rest of the world. It was something he did only rarely—and usually when it was only the two of them.
Eva had always known Caden's love wasn't a wildfire. It wouldn't burn hot and brief, scorching all those involved and leaving them forever changed. Instead, it was like the mountains that surrounded them. Steadfast and deep. Quiet, yet always there. A silent support that never wavered.
Behind his mask was acceptance and the acknowledgment that Eva was right.
She reached out and squeezed his hand, knowing he needed the connection as much as she did. "Come back safe."
"I will." Caden looked at Reece. "You're with us."
"But—" Reece waved his hand at the clan leaders and the hundred Trateri waiting a short distance away.
Caden's smile was sharp. "You said it yourself. The mist is still a threat. You wouldn't want us disappearing now, would you?"
Reece's glare was fulminating.
Eva looked down, hiding her smile. She did so love when Caden made other people speechless.
"Eva and Drake can escort the clan leaders," Caden continued. "They'll be safe enough when they reach camp."
Caden refrained from mentioning that even if they were swallowed by mist, the fire fox would come and retrieve them. He'd done it once before.
