Mariah nearly jumped when Matheo called out across the clearing, the grass crunching under his boots as he approached. His greeting shook something out of Andrian, too, because that horror softened and fell away, replaced by a guarded coldness.
Just like that, all those walls slid right back into place.
Mariah’s heart twisted. Matheo clasped Andrian on the shoulder, giving him a once-over before pulling him in.
“You look like shit,” Matheo said with a chuckle, “but I’m glad you made it.”
“Always know how to give the best compliments, Matheo,” Andrian grumbled, and Mariah almost smiled at the familiar attitude lacing his words.
Almost, if she didn’t also hear how empty they were.
“How’d you find us?” Matheo released Andrian and took a step away.
Andrian hesitated, then nodded at Kodie. The gelding stood only a few paces away, grazing idly. Mariah finally swung her attention to him, a pang of guilt firing through her.
It all washed away when her horse pricked his ears and lifted his head. With a quiet nicker, he walked forward, burrowing his head into her shoulder.
The tears finally came then.
They spilled out of her eyes and down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around Kodie’s neck, stroking the golden fur and running a hand over the tangled black mass of his mane.
She glanced over her shoulder at Andrian and Matheo, finding them both watching her silently. “How?”
Kodie nickered again, nuzzling his soft whiskers into her palms.
“He must’ve been wandering in the woods outside Khento ever since we…left.” Andrian’s voice caught at the end, as if unsure how to describe that ill-fated trip to Shawth’s castle. “I found him—or he found me. With some help, I suppose.” Andrian’s gaze lifted to the sky, the hint of a scowl twisting his brow.
A flash of golden feathers. A high-pitched whistle. The branches of a nearby tree rustled as Cielle landed, shaking out her wings and clucking her beak with satisfaction.
Mariah smiled up at her, lifting an arm. The eagle took off again, swooping down over the meadow and settling on Mariah’s forearm. Cielle trilled as Mariah stroked her soft feathers.
A stare warmed the side of her face. Mariah glanced up, finding Andrian’s walls a little weakened. He grinned at her with something akin to awe, slowly shaking his head.
“Truthfully,” he murmured, “I should’ve known it was you.” The shadows around him had lifted, as if his true self tried to peek through.
Cielle trilled proudly again, nuzzling her head into Mariah’s hand. “This is Cielle,” Mariah said. “And she’s not the only one I want you to meet.”
“Stars.”Signe leaned back against a rock as she stared at the flickering fire. “I am so excited to finally be heading to Leuxrith.” She gave Mariah a quick, devilish smile. “I miss home.”
“I’m excited to see your home, Signe.” Mariah answered her smile with a grin, stretching her legs out in front of her. Andrian and Callamus sat across the fire, deep in a conversation of knowing nods and furrowed brows.
Introductions had been…interesting. Andrian had remembered Signe from that inn on the road to Khento—and the few other times before, in Verith—and given her his version of a warm greeting.
It had been entirely different when Mariah had introduced the God of the Night Sky.
Andrian had gone rigid, shadows flickering down his shoulders. He’d narrowed wary eyes on Callamus—mistrusting and fearful.
He may hide it all behind a protective wall, but Mariah knew better. She could see what it really was.
Andrian was terrified.
Only with her quiet reassurances had he reluctantly relaxed. When Callamus had asked Andrian to eat the dinner of freshly caught rabbit Matheo had procured from the woods with him so they could talk, Andrian had agreed.
Mariah didn’t know what they discussed, but she’d watched the tension slowly leave Andrian’s shoulders as it had gone on. She, Matheo, and Signe gave them space, lounging by the blazing fire, the smell of burning pine a comforting blanket.
The sun was long set, the stars and moons twinkling above. Signe stood, stretching her arms high above her. “That’s good. I have a feeling you’re going to love it.” She glanced around the clearing, Callamus and Andrian falling silent to watch her. “I think it’s time to get some rest. These three days have been nice, but I suppose we’ll be traveling by horse and foot from now on. We’ll miss these nights when we’re back on the road.”
Callamus nodded, rising. “Well said, Signe. I agree, we need rest.”
