Jason struggled against a sense of defeat. The Kyren were much more hard headed than Jason thought. They wouldn't even consider another truth because they were convinced they knew everything they needed to know.
How had Eva managed to deal with them for so long?
There was a hint of fire in his eyes as he lifted his head to meet Polaris's stare. He couldn't be sure who said that last part, but something made him want to believe it was the scar ridden Kyren standing before him.
"They're only our enemy because Eva rescued your young."
It was a half-truth, but Jason didn't care. Eventually, this army would have turned their attention to the Trateri but not before they were stronger. It was Eva's actions that started this.
And that lay at the Kyren's hooves.
Seeing the resistance on the faces of those around him, Jason knew he'd lost. Emotion surged before he suppressed it again. One last ditch attempt. There was no reason not to.
The last of his walls crumbled, leaving his inner self exposed and vulnerable. Everything he felt and thought out there for them to judge and criticize.
"All I want is to save her. Please help me do that."
There it was. His last plea.
A part of Jason was afraid to look up for fear the Kyren would be gone. He mentally prepared himself for what would come when he raised his gaze and found himself alone.
If that was the case, fuck the Kyren. If they wouldn't help, he would get back on Caia and ride until he found someone or something who would.
Fate placed obstacles in people's paths. Impossible walls that seemed insurmountable when standing at their base. Caden and Eva had taught Jason that when that happened, you didn't give up and go home. You bludgeoned those walls until they caved. You beat yourself bloody until nothing but rubble stood between you and what you wanted.
The Kyren wanted to play neutral. Fine. He wasn't giving up. He would fight until his last.
Just as he was preparing to stand, a soft nose nudged his hair. Thinking it was Caia offering comfort, he raised his face to find a petite sorrel Kyren looking down at him with a wise gaze.
"Very well. We will help you," Brisa said.
Jason's ears buzzed as his eyes locked on the sorrel's. Was this a dream?
It felt like one.
Caia ruined the moment by reaching forward and nipping Jason's back, hard. A high-pitched sound escaped him as he tried to knock her loose, the mare holding on for one second longer as if to make sure he knew she only released him because she wanted to.
She withdrew her teeth, her expression saying he deserved it and more.
Jason touched the bite mark. Pain radiated from it.
The sorrel made a thoughtful sound.
"What is it?" Jason asked, forgetting Caia's actions.
"Talia doesn't think that horse is normal either. She says she can sense an ancient bloodline in her. She's smarter than she should be."
"Is that your name? Talia?"
The Kyren's head bobbed up and down.
Jason touched his heart and bowed. "My name is Jason."
The moment was broken as he glimpsed movement out of the corner of his eye. He danced to the side, evading Caia's bite. "Alright, alright. We're going. Don't get your tail in a knot."
Eva twisted her wrists back and forth, gritting her teeth against the pain as the rope scraped at her skin. There was a slick, wet feeling under her bonds where her skin had ripped.
Eva ignored the blood, more interested in the faint give that hadn't been there before.
