I stuffed the feather into my pocket and stumbled forward. Dropping to my knees, I threw my arms around Nala’s thick, fluffy neck, buried my face in her fur and inhaled her familiar nutty scent.
Nala whined, her body trembling with restrained excitement as she rose, trying to twist her head into the crook of my shoulder, desperate to lick my face.
I laughed and held her tighter for a moment, grounding myself in her scent before finally standing.
“She woke just before you.” Ace leaned against a tree with his arms crossed. Shadows brushed his cheekbones. His gaze was sharp and steady, and the softer look from earlier was gone.
“How long was I out?” I asked, brushing dirt from my palms.
“Not long enough.”
“You didn’t sleep?”
He gave me a pointed look. “Someone had to watch.”
Guilt twisted in my chest. Well, damn. Now I felt like a jerk. I should’ve offered to take turns on watch.
“I—” I started, but he cut me off with a shrug.
“Besides,” Ace added, lips twitching. “You snore.”
I blinked and placed my hands on my hips with all the indignation I could muster. “I do not.”
His dark brows rose. “Like one of those wild boars when you stick them with your arrows.”
Heat flared across my cheeks, but before I could point out wild boars rarely made any sounds when my arrows struck them because of my perfect aim, he leaned to the side to peer around the boulder. “No signs of anyone following us. We are almost there, and I’d rather not rest any longer. I don’t know about you, but my adrenaline is fading quickly, and I’m running on fumes.”
I nodded and looked down at Nala. “Can you walk?”
Nala shook her coat and yipped. Guess that was a yes. At least Ace wouldn’t have to carry her anymore.
“Let’s go.” Ace started walking and I followed with Nala, keeping pace easily.
My familiar looked much better. The magic that bound us must’ve finally helped accelerate the healing process. The energy of the bond vibrated, and a sense of relief washed over me.
“I really don’t see how you’re going to hide our very obvious trail.” I jerked my thumb behind us just in case he didn’t realize I was referring to our tracks.
Ace pulled his shoulders back and tipped his head to the side. “Hear that?”
I frowned but shut my mouth. What was he talking about? I strained to hear anything besides my quickened heartbeat. Birds chirped in the distance. A gentle breeze played in the leaves. It grew stronger as I listened, signalling the incoming storm. Insects buzzed around while some nasty wasps zipped past. At this time of year, they became lost little assholes without their queen. The katydids hummed along, but it was still too early in the day for crickets. Those would all be gone soon, too, like the wasps. The nights grew too cold.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. The smell of evergreens and rich soil flowed over me, along with summer floral scents and moss. There was dampness in the air though—not just from the incoming change of the season, but from the proximity to water. In the distance, a fast flowing river rushed by.
“A river?” I open my eyes to find Ace studying me like one would a feral animal stuck in a trap. “A skilled tracker can still follow us across a river.”
“Not this one.”
“Pretty sure this is the same river that runs through Danu Forest.”
“It is.” His smile widened. “But something is different about it here.”
“Exactly how is it different?”
“Magic.” He picked up the pace.
“Magic?”
“Come on, you’ll see soon enough.”
