“He won’t,” Simus said. “Trust me.”
Simus felt aneven deeper sense of satisfaction once they’d seen Wild Winds off with Hanstau and Cadr. His warriors moved around him, their horses saddled and ready to ride.
“Haya is ready.” Tsor pulled himself into his saddle. “There’s time to gather her camp and still reach our army before sunset.”
“That’s well,” Simus started to mount his horse, but Destal came up, Snowfall following behind, leading their horses.
“Warlord.” Destal’s voice was dry. “Let’s not play this game any longer. Snowfall is a full adult warrior, with enough experience that she need not be under my command. She should be at your side, advising you and out of my hair.”
“I should earn my place,” Snowfall said firmly.
“Your dung collecting skills have been proven,” Destal snorted. “The best place for you is at our Warlord’s side.”
“If that is your judgment, Destal,” Simus said. “Snowfall will take duties under Elois.”
Elois snorted. “I can’t wait to see Keir’s face when he hears this tale.”
Tsor laughed. “I can’t wait to see Marcus’s.”
“Mount up,” Simus ordered, and pulled himself up into the saddle. His horse danced a bit, stamping its hooves, eager to be off.
“Have Cimor and his scouts been pulled away from the Heart?” Simus asked.
“Not until I warble,” Tsor said. “I wanted eyes on those monsters at all times.”
“Then let’s be about it,” Simus said.
Tsor lifted his head and warbled a cry that was echoed around them by the scouts.
“Lead the way,” Simus said.
Tsor started off, and the others followed, with Simus at the center.
Snowfall moved her horse up beside Simus, looking cool and collected and content. She favored him with a glance from under her dark lashes.
His heart swelled with the joy of the moment. To have her at his side, to be Warlord, to have survived to reach this time, this moment...
Only one thing remained for perfection.
“Elois,” Simus bellowed. “Let it be known that I would trade with any in my army for the finest gold wire, beads, and small gems. The finest, mind.”
“As you say, Warlord,” Elois said. “But you’d find those things easier in Xy.”
“No, no,” Simus said. “For I would weave a bonding in the ear of Snowfall of the Plains long before we reach Xy.”
The looks of shock and horror around him made his happiness complete. But none more than that of Snowfall, stunned, her mouth hanging open.
Simus smiled.
“You,” Snowfall sputtered, her usual calm countenance alive with outrage and anger.
“You arrogant, stupid, insufferable—”
“One usually asks one’s bonded first,” Elois noted. “Usually under the bells.”
“There is no ‘usual’ with Simus,” Tsor pointed out.
“You and I shall be bonded,” Simus said to Snowfall. “You are the flame of my heart, Snowfall.”
