That was a lie.
Eva had no doubt she'd be utterly and totally devastated if anything were to happen to the daft creature.
Especially something as preventable as eating questionable flora that originated from a powerful creature's head.
As the horse responsible for finding Eva and subsequently leading her to the Trateri, they shared a bond. One totally unique to the two.
Some might even say they shared a fate. An inexplicable thread binding them together that neither wished to sever.
With Caia had come Ollie, a herd master who'd been responsible for the mare. When he'd offered to take her with him, Eva had accepted. In her mind, people who treated a runaway mount as gently as he did Caia couldn't be all bad. No matter what rumor and stories about the Trateri claimed.
Eva believed that encounter had saved her life. Chances were, she'd be long dead if she'd remained in that forest. Alone and vulnerable to those who hunted there.
They'd been inseparable ever since. The horse acting more like an overzealous guard dog than a mount.
Which was why if something ever happened to Caia, Eva was sure the resulting fallout would be catastrophic. She fully expected there to be tears. Rivers of them. Enough to fill a thousand lakes.
Not that her horse seemed to appreciate that, if the bored expression on the idiot equine's face was anything to judge by.
The sound of hoof beats drew her attention from Caia's poor judgment. Drake stiffened for a moment, before relaxing at the sight of the rider and horse thundering across the meadow toward them.
Eva squinted, recognizing the mount long before she did the woman.
While not unique, the pretty bay with her black mane and tail were distinctive enough for Eva to know the rider, even at this distance.
Fiona. Someone Eva considered a friend—though how that happened was still a mystery to her.
Fiona's expression was guarded as her gaze went from the three of them to their surroundings, taking note of the lack of other horses and the fact they were far from where they'd said they would be.
"Anything wrong?" Fiona's hand hovered near the hilt of her blade.
"All is well," Drake replied.
Fiona grunted, not looking entirely convinced as she scanned their surroundings.
Her jaw flexed, making the three parallel scars that ran along it more prominent. Surprisingly, those old battle marks did nothing to detract from her appeal. Rather they enhanced it, promising an interesting experience for any brave enough to tempt the rapids.
Finding nothing, Fiona focused amber colored eyes on Eva, her expression fierce.
"You're needed."
Eva straightened, sending the other woman a questioning look.
The bay tried to sidestep, picking up on her rider's heightened emotions. Fiona soothed her with a pat on her neck.
"Our sentries spotted a large element heading in our direction. Caden wants you present when we meet them."
A hushed silence sunk in after Fiona's words.
"How is that possible?" Jason burst out. "No one was supposed to be up here except us."
Drake stirred, appearing interested. "Trateri?"
Fiona hesitated, shooting a glance at Eva before reluctantly nodding. "It looks that way."
"Then the treaty—" Jason trailed off as he glanced at Eva in dismay.
"Is over," Drake finished, putting into words what they all were thinking.
