Fiona knew it too.
Her mouth closed on her objection, an apology showing in her expression before it was gone.
It was that apology that made Caden stay his hand. A challenge to his authority couldn't be tolerated out here. Not where every decision meant a difference between life and death.
Fiona was good at what she did, and most of the time Caden could trust her not to be stupid.
In his mind, you didn't waste talent. It was why he didn't react as he might have if it had been someone else.
"Our mission was to observe and report. We've done the first. Time for the second. Once we've warned the rest, we can come back with a larger force and see what else we can find," Caden said.
There was no expression on Fiona's face as she gave him a firm nod. The model of an obedient soldier.
Good. Caden would hate for her to become a problem. Eva would be upset if he was forced to put down her friend.
The rest of Eva's day passed in the blink of an eye. Mostly, she spent time with the foals and a couple of the Kyren youths who seemed to think approaching her and running away was a game, if the laughter in Eva's mind was anything to judge by.
Eva slept surprisingly well that night. Maybe it had to do with being surrounded by Kyren. Although not exactly her friends, they could be considered a greater threat to any beast or human stupid enough to brave the bowl.
Something about knowing she didn't have to worry about being attacked lulled her to sleep. When she woke up the next morning, she felt refreshed. Ready for whatever the Kyren threw at her.
That's how she came to be standing on a small hill, watching the foals frolic not far away, their movements still holding a bit of the awkwardness of babyhood.
Eva smiled as one foal pounced on his companion. The foal crawled halfway onto the other's back before losing his balance and falling backward.
There was a nicker as he toppled, his wings beating uselessly against the air. Unlike an adult Kyren's, the foal's wings mostly contained fuzz. It'd be another few months before their feathers came in and they were ready to fly.
Eva hoped she'd be around to see it.
Cute, aren't they?Belle asked as she ambled toward Eva.
"Enough to make my heart ache."
Ever think of having a few of your own?
"Never really thought about it."
You'd make a good mother.
Eva's smile was a little sad. "I'm not sure about that."
Eva didn't have the best relationship with her family.
Setting aside the fact that her father was fine with their village's decision to sacrifice her in an ancient tradition, Eva's relationship with him had been broken long before that day.
At least she could hate him. He'd failed her at every step.
Her mother was a more complicated matter. Their relationship was full of misunderstandings and a lot of hard feelings that had always gotten in the way of any mother-daughter bond.
Eva wanted her mother's acceptance, while her mother never understood why she couldn't toe the line. Blend rather than stand out.
If she looked into her childhood, Eva didn't have many fond memories. Despite that, it was her mother who’d saved her life. Warning Eva to flee.
I am.You were willing to die for a stranger. I can't imagine how much more protective you'd be toward one of your own.
Eva shook off her dark thoughts. "It doesn't matter right now. The only thing I'm focused on is the Kyren and the Trateri. Thoughts of family will have to wait."
Isaid that once. I'm glad Sebby convinced me to take a chance.Belle's gaze was fond as she watched her foal dash across the field before pouncing on something they couldn't see.They're troublesome, and the gods know the worry is constant, but damn do they make my heart ache with love.
