Eh, so she wasn’t going to make her living as a juggler. As long as she could aim and strike, she didn’t care.
She sensed Race drawing closer, warmth blooming bright within her.
I’m inside the cave,he telepathed.Thought you might not want to see the skinned hare.
Her heart expanded, affection and gratitude swarming her. She leaped to her feet and hurried into the cave. The scent of smoke and roasting meat greeted her. Race crouched near the firepit, the flames casting a flickering glow across the hard planes of his beautiful face.
She sat next to him, nearly drooling from hunger?—
“Sire?” Attor stood at the entrance, his big frame backlit by the lowering sun. “We’re moving into Duskscale. Talonhold House is secured for the indefinite future.”
Ash slipped off her parka and dropped it on a rock near the pit. “So, who’s going?”
“You and the sire,” he said, ambling over. “Koal and me. Skaldr’s busy currently. He, Varkyn, and Rhaedra will join us tomorrow night.”
Ash suppressed the faint curl of relief that she wouldn’t have to watch the she-dragon eyeballing her mate. It didn’t matter that Race didn’t notice, because she bloody well did.
“Any problems?” Race asked, arms braced on his thighs, his voice terse.
Attor crouched opposite the fire. “None…except keeping it quiet that you’ve returned. For now, only our current team knows you’re here. They’ve all been sworn to silence. We can’t risk word leaking and ruining the narrow margin of advantage we finally have. Those who join as needed will be notified of your return then.”
“Good,” Race said, his tone flat. “I don’t want to raise anyone’s hopes until this is over.”
Ash laid her palm on the tense line of his back, hoping to ease some of the rigidity there.
“If anything, I’m going to trust old Vargol,” Attor said. “We’ve been locked in this stalemate for far too long.”
Ash recalled the half-blind ridge-hermit Attor had mentioned, and the prophecy about Race. But her mate’s tense body seemed carved from stone as he turned the spit.
You are one of the strongest males I’ve ever known,she mind-linked with him.My knight.
A pause. Then, dryly,Really? I’m supposed to believe the bullshit knight part when you insisted you saved yourself from those hoodlums chasing you?
Well,she teased,you are my knight in all things that matter.
His laughter, soft and warm, curled through her mind.Nice save, my mate.
Aloud, she said brightly, “Oh, this looks fantastic. The hare’s browned exactly how I like it—burnt crisp at the edges.”
Race cast her a dry look. “Is that a dig at me?”
She tapped her lips, hiding her smile. “Hmm…yeah.”
His huff held amusement and tender exasperation?—
Something dark and hot flickered through their bond, gone before she could reach for it.
He went utterly still.
What was that?she asked, tensing.
Nothing.He rubbed her back and stood. “Attor, stay with Ash until my return.”
“Wait, wait, where are you going?” She shot to her feet.
“I must hunt.”
Unease coiled in her gut. “But we have food…”
