"The army isn't even the least of it," Caden said. "Reece found something that disturbed him."
Eva reared back. "Somehow knowing a pathfinder is worried is more concerning than the confirmation that an army is closing in on our valley."
Caden made a masculine rumble of agreement. "My thoughts as well."
Eva paused and frowned, reminded of what the Kyren had shown her that afternoon. "Is this thing he found a body? It's insides missing as if someone had removed everything but the skin and bone?"
Caden stilled. "The Kyren found remnants as well."
"Reece wasn't the only one who was disturbed by that," Eva said in confirmation.
"How far?"
"Just over the ridge. In the valley next to this one."
Caden cursed.
Eva hesitated, not sure how accurate the next part was but knowing it needed to be shared. "That's not all. It looked like humans hunted the red back for sport and then left it to a scavenger who ate it up from the inside out."
"I’m sure they weren’t pleased about that," Caden guessed.
Eva nodded. "Their first instinct was to drive us out of this part of the Highlands. I argued that our people weren't responsible."
The urge to ask if she was right pressed in on her before Eva forced it away. If she wanted to be one of the Trateri, she couldn't always second guess them.
Suspicion was all well and good, but not when it was a constant companion. At that point, she might as well go her own way.
As always, Caden seemed to understand what was going on in her mind without her saying a word.
"None of those who traveled with us would have. They know better," Caden confirmed. "But they're not the ones you're worried about, are they?"
Eva pressed her lips against his shoulder in response.
"I could see Lion Clan hunting a beast for a challenge, but they wouldn't leave the skin behind. They'd take it and as much of the meat as they could harvest. The Trateri don't waste resources, no matter the clan," Caden said. "Rain is even less likely. They pride themselves on their cleverness and using their brains. They'd consider a hunt for trophies beneath them. Something only those with more muscles than wits would do."
The tight knot in Eva's stomach loosened further. "That's good. The Kyren will find nothing to hold us responsible for."
Caden shifted to face Eva, his gaze searching her features in the shadows. He reached up, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear.
"We will figure this out," Caden promised her. "I won't let anything touch you or your Kyren."
The words were a vow.
Caden wasn't a man often given to romantic words or flowery sentiments. His actions spoke louder than words ever could.
It was why Eva had fallen in love with him. How could she not when everything he did or said showed her his heart?
Just look at tonight. His hair still damp from the dip he'd taken to wash up before coming to her. At this time of night, the water would have been icy cold. Not comfortable in the least. Yet, he'd braved it for her.
Such a simple act, but it spoke volumes.
If that didn't show how much he cared, she didn't know what would.
Eva flopped back onto the bed, her arms splayed wide at her sides. "Why can't anything ever be easy?"
Caden's shadow bent over her body, his clothes rustling. His forearms came up to frame Eva's head. "I don't know. Maybe sometimes hard is exactly what we need."
Silence.
