“She could use your help when you’re finished.” He didn’t look at her. The Demon inspected the horse’s final foot before returning to her muzzle. He stroked the beast with a level of affection she’d never thought him capable of.
He met her gaze. Both went still. Even the horses seemed to sense the tension. Their ears perked, and their eyes grew wide, staring as if waiting for an oncoming explosion. She wondered if any fast movement would cause the animals to bolt. The Demon’s gaze traveled down her horse’s legs, and he inclined his head. “May I?”
She wished she knew more about horses, but if there were something wrong with their hooves, she couldn’t fix it herself. Not without him pointing it out, anyway. Arianna stepped back and moved toward the one with the injured foot.
“Be careful, she’s a bit jumpy.”
Arianna nodded and reached for the horse’s muzzle first, then slid her hand down the animal’s back and to its hind leg. She didn’t need to lift it the way he’d done. Arianna simply let her magic flow. The creature jolted, but Arianna maintained her hold, patting the horse’s hip and whispering in reassurance.
The wound was small and easy to fix. She wondered how long the poor thing had been walking like that.
“They could probably use some water, too.” Gooseflesh rose on her arms. Why did his voice do that to her?
“Right.” Arianna stared at the ground, but before she could summon her magic, his engulfed the space. Arianna’s heart thundered when the ground began to move a few feet away. It pulled back, creating a deep uneven crevice. She waited, breath held, but his magic disappeared as quickly as it had risen. She stared up at him in confusion.
“For the water.”
Arianna nodded, shifting on her feet. She needed to get away from him, yet when she stepped, part of her grieved his proximity. Arianna gritted her teeth, then pulled at her magic, filling the hole with fresh liquid. Whatever he’d done ensured the ground didn’t simply absorb it.
The horses’ ears perked again, but this time in excitement as they rushed toward the cool water. The Demon looped a loose rope around both their necks before unrolling the length and fastening them to a small tree. They’d have plenty of room to graze the surrounding area.
As if someone else thought the same, grass and other plants suddenly sprang from the ground, growing from tiny sprouts to tall blades of grass in seconds. Both happily trotted over, the stubborn mare pushing the other aside so she could get there first.
The crack of falling branches had Arianna’s head whipping around to find Raevina brushing dirt from her bare arms. She broke the pieces down quickly and arranged them in a neat pile, then a flame sparked from her fingertips.
Talon gave her a withering stare. “Is that a good idea?”
Raevina’s sharp gaze snapped up to him, fire in her eyes. Her lips parted as if she planned to retort, but she turned to Gavin instead. “Are you unable to glamour a fire?”
Gavin’s cheeks heated. “Of course I can glamour the fire.”
Raevina turned back to Talon. “Then I suppose we’re fine. I’d rather my dinner be warm.”
Dinner? Within minutes, Arianna realized Tierney had gifted them an entire meal, one that would spoil if not consumed tonight. Zylah had pulled everything from one of the crates. At least that was one less burden for the horses to carry tomorrow.
Talon clicked his tongue and turned away, but Arianna was silently grateful to Raevina. A warm meal sounded nice. She turned back to Ellie, who still hadn’t moved from inside the wagon. Anything to get her sister strong again was a blessing she couldn’t take for granted.
Zylah retrieved a final sack, pulling out hard cheeses and bread. They’d likely save some of that for tomorrow. If all went as planned, they’d only need to live off the smoked meat for a day before reaching Nàdair.
Talon lifted himself into the wagon and helped Ellie to her feet. He whispered to her in a calm voice, but Arianna wasn’t sure she’d react any differently if he screamed at her. She sighed, trying not to let her emotions take over.
Once Ellie’s feet hit the grass, Arianna took her other arm. “I’d like to see if she’ll walk a bit before we sit her down again.”
Talon nodded. “Just stay around the camp. I’m not sure how far Gavin’s glamour reaches.”
Arianna looked over at the male who was watching them intently. “I don’t think he’d let Ellie out of his sight, anyway.” Gavin smiled slightly, but his face turned somber again as he watched Ellie stumble along beside Arianna.
Thankfully, her little sister didn’t resist as she led her around the wagon. They brushed past the horses, moving at a slow pace, each step jerky and uneven. Ellie didn’t groan, didn’t stretch, didn’t make any sort of facial expression that would reveal anything at all.
Arianna studied her sister’s vacant blue eyes. Eyes that were nearly the same shade as her own. As their mother’s. Ellie’s had always been slightly lighter, though one wouldn’t be able to tell without looking closely. Arianna wondered what was going on in her head. Where was Ellie’s mind if not with them? Was she safe? Scared? Was she in the middle of a battle with no one to set her free?
After three rounds, Arianna led Ellie to the base of a tree that stood close to the fire. Ellie’s skin was still icy to the touch, as if all the warmth had been seeped from her body. Talon came to help lower her to a seated position. He tucked the blanket around her for comfort. Gavin lingered just behind Talon, a constant watchful eye.
What would happen if Gavin tried to pull on the bond? Would it wake her sister up, or send her deeper into the recesses of her mind? Maybe they’d try it once they were safe and others with more experience could tend to her sister’s mind properly.
With the camp secured, Talon lowered himself down by the fire. Closer to Raevina, Arianna noted. Was it on purpose or simply instinct that carried him close?
She dared to search for The Demon. Examine him. He stood on the outskirts, as far away from her as he could manage. He’d already walked the perimeter twice. The scent of his magic was everywhere, mixing with the scents of Saoirse’s and Talon’s. No one was taking any chances, it seemed.
