It was upsetting.
Maybe if it had been the old her, she wouldn't care. The one from before she’d bonded with Sebastian. The one who looked at the Trateri as a means to an end, more attached to their horses than the people themselves.
But she was different now. She cared. Too much.
Not just about the alliance either. The Kyren had promised her purpose and a readymade family. Now, they were threatening to take that away from her.
She didn't know if she was ready to let it go.
"You didn't even allow me to visit the herd lands."
Instead, they’d brought her here. A place just as beautiful, but that didn't take away the sting such an act represented. Distrust. Told you can approach but only this far.
Orion's sigh came.There is still a lot you don't understand about us.
"That won't change unless you talk to me."
A chuckle sounded. You are not wrong.
"I was never certain I could be what you wanted me to be, but I took a chance because I thought it was important. That the Kyren deserved to be heard. Was I wrong?"
She needed to know. Nothing hurt worse than failure—especially when you wanted to succeed almost more than anything.
If she could manage expectations, maybe she could prepare herself, so she wasn't crushed in the end.
Eyes that gleamed like starlight focused on Eva.
Orion's emotions were locked down tighter than Sebastian's, giving her no hint as to what he was thinking. It left Eva’s mind blind to him. Like she'd been deprived of one of her senses.
Until this moment, she hadn't realized how much she'd come to rely on what she sensed from the Kyren and other mythologicals.
You are a Caller. I've never doubted that.
If that was the case, what were his reasons for the rest?
Did you think you would gain acceptance as easily as you did a title?
Eva choked. "I wouldn't exactly call that easy."
She'd almost died after all.
Some steps you must take on your own. We cannot do them for you or provide shortcuts.
Eva's frown held irritation. "Perhaps your advice could be a little more helpful and less obscure."
She'd certainly appreciate it.
There was a burst of amusement from Orion, his emotions whispering into Eva like a summer breeze clearing away some of her frustration and bringing with it the knowledge that he truly did wish for her success.
To become a pathfinder, one must first find their way to Wayfarer's Keep. They pass through unimaginable danger. Brave beast and mist. All for a chance at something most scorn.
Eva concentrated. Why did she feel like there was a deeper meaning to those words?
They take the first step alone, and it's often the hardest.
"You're saying I need to find my way alone."
Orion's gaze was patient, telling her she was on the right track.
