It seemed to be a trait she brought out in others. Human and mythological alike.
Finally, Sebastian was the only one left.
He looked between Eva and Orion uncertainly.
Go, nephew. I won't hurt your friend.
Sebastian didn't move.Eva?
She nodded in dismissal, appreciating the courage it took to ignore his herd lord in favor of gaining her approval.
"I'll be fine. Besides, if anything happens to me, Caden will come."
He'd told her as much once.
It might not seem like much to a Kyren who had a habit of underestimating her commander, but to Eva it was a vow.
Caden would get revenge. She had no doubt about that. It might end in his death, but he'd make the Kyren pay a hefty price before he went.
There was a certain security in knowing there was someone out there who had her back. Who'd burn the world down in her name.
Not that she'd ever want that, but Eva couldn't pretend her heart didn't flutter a bit.
For someone whose trust in others had been as badly damaged as Eva's, it was a heady feeling knowing someone cared enough to set his own survival aside to avenge her.
But with those pleasant feelings also came a sense of responsibility. A heavy weight that bound her as surely as chains.
Because her actions didn't affect only her.
Sebastian's reluctance was obvious as he looked back at Eva one last time before spreading his wings and dropping over the ledge.
Eva stepped up to the edge, looking down to find Sebastian gliding over the land.
For a moment, she envied him his wings. The ease with which he could take flight. The ability to go anywhere at any time. No worry of beast or mist to hold him back.
It was freedom. Pure and simple.
But perhaps it was a good thing she didn't have wings. Eva suspected it'd be all too easy to run every time things got difficult.
Orion joined her, silence filling the space between them. A hushed quiet far from the crackling hum that had been present with the other Kyren.
Eva looked up at the sky, taking in the thin streams of white cloud so high up she didn't think she could reach them even on Sebastian's back.
"I don't know what you want," Eva finally admitted.
She'd thought she did. She had it all figured out. She'd be their Caller and together they'd work to better the relations between Kyren and human.
Now, she couldn't help but think she'd been a little naive to assume it would be so easy.
We want the same thing as the Trateri. A safe place to call our own. Somewhere we can rear our children and live our lives in peace without worrying those who mean us harm will intrude at any moment.
There was the impression of a smile in Eva's mind.
Of course, if there are the occasional battles, we wouldn't say no to that either.
Eva twisted to face Orion. "Then why does it seem that everything you do is designed to push me away?"
The long wait. The last minute summons. Neither were the actions of someone who wanted this to work.
