Fiona didn't comment on the odd pairing as she looked at Buck, happiness spreading across her face. "Buck, you misbegotten son of a beast, long time, no see." Fiona made a show of examining their surroundings. "Where's the old man? I know he can't trust you up here alone."
Buck thumped his chest, looking proud. "I'm a scout master now. Equal in rank to you. And don't think I won't tell Eamon you called him that."
Fiona snorted. "You do that."
Fiona dismissed him from her attention as her gaze settled on Eva, her fierce amber eyes warming as she found Eva unharmed.
"It's good to see you're no worse for wear," Fiona said.
Eva nodded at her. "Same to you."
It was too. Eva wouldn't admit it, but she'd been worried.
Fiona's grief over Laurell was still there. Hidden for the most part, but Eva could still see the bruises hiding just behind her eyes.
With Fiona and Caden's patrol, Eva had feared her friend would lose herself in that grief and do something foolish.
Seeing her here put to bed those worries. At least for now.
"Yes, yes, it's very nice that you get to see each other, but if we're done with all the welcome homes, could we perhaps call off the winged horse whose teeth are entirely too close to my neck?" Warin asked.
There was a twinkle in Fiona's eyes that had been missing since Laurell's death as she took in the situation.
"Sebastian doesn't listen to the likes of us." Fiona tilted her head at Eva. "The woman you insulted is the person you should be asking."
Warin showed little reaction, but then Eva wouldn't expect anything less. The Trateri were a proud people and from the limited contact she'd had with Lion Clan, their members were more stubborn than most.
Eva wouldn't hold her breath waiting for an apology. In fact, she'd be more surprised if he admitted his mistake.
"My subordinate was rude. I apologize on his behalf," Van said for him.
Warin protested, only to fall silent at Van's sharp look.
"He sometimes acts without thinking," Van continued, not taking his eyes off his fellow clan member.
"It's a habit of Lion's," Buck muttered in a voice loud enough that told Eva he meant to be heard.
Warin glared. "Shut it. I don't need to hear that from someone out of Western Wind Division."
Buck's smile was dangerous. "Oh? You say that like there's something wrong with Western Wind."
Eva stepped forward before Warin could respond. It was late and she was tired. She didn't have the energy or motivation to listen to them trade insults.
Or worse—challenge each other to a fight.
"If you want Sebastian to stop, you could start by referring to him as a Kyren. They're not fond of being called a 'winged horse'. They consider it an insult," Eva said.
Warin pressed his lips together as he eyed her with a nonplussed expression as if to ask if she was really lecturing him at a time like this.
Yes, yes, she was.
Eva couldn't think of a better time or one more suited to making her point.
If Warin wanted a favorable outcome, he could begin by treating Sebastian with the respect a fellow sentient deserved.
Not insulting him would be a good start.
Eva's mama taught her the value of being polite. She might not always use those teachings, but it was a valuable life skill to have in her pocket.
