Page 70 of Her Ivory Flame

The sound of the horses echoed along the stone path a few miles from the wall until it turned to dirt and started deeper into the trees. She could feel a pulse in her newly freed power and hoped if she tried to connect with nature again through it, it might help break her wall down even more.

It was going to be a long journey, but to her surprise, she was content with the company she had around her.

- - - - - - - -

The sun had started to move closer to the horizon by the time they made it to their first designated camping spot. The men had planned out each place to make camp along the journey to make sure they could guard her well.

They had moved off the path a few yards against a large rock face making it so they didn’t have to keep watch on all sides and just keep eyes on the road.

Finnley and Xander helped Titus unload the wagon while the rest of them took care of the horses. She wanted to make sure they were well taken care of.

Sneaking an apple from the supply bag, she walked up next to her mare and watched the horse chew it quickly.

“You should name her.” Kaden said behind her.

She jumped in surprise, the mare barely reacting and felt her cheeks go red.

“I’m trying not to get too attached.” she shrugged.

“Why?”

“I’ve learned that things I love tend to get taken away from me or betray me. Since she can’t really betray me, I’m worried I’ll lose her another way.”

She watched his shoulders slack and could instantly tell he knew exactly how she felt. His hand moved and patted the mare on the neck a few times, her jaw still chewing the last of the apple.

“How about Zuri?” Kaden said softly. “It means striking beauty.”

A smile crept on her face and she found herself tilting her head looking up at him. His eyes were soft, a completely different demeanor than she had been used to over the last couple of months.

“Sure.” she smiled.

She heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Finnley a few feet from her.

“We have the tents up.” he started “We just need to pair up who is sleeping with who.”

She glanced around and saw the three tents position up against the rock face and a fire pit being made in the center of them.

“I will stay with Alyra, the rest of you can figure it out.” Kaden said casually.

Her eyes snapped to him and she felt her stomach flutter for the first time in over a century.

“I thought the girls would bunk together?” Finnley said hesitantly.

“Alyra gets nightmares and I’m used to them. I would rather not subject anyone else to handling them and getting her to Bromel is our mission. I will be in charge of her protection.” Kaden’svoice hardened and she watched his face morph back to his stern expression.

Her butterflies instantly disappeared, her realization that he only made his decision based on duty rather than want. She cleared her throat and shifted on her feet.

“Raine knows of my nightmares as well, I know she wouldn’t mind.” she muttered and watched Kaden’s eyes narrow on her. “I am also the only one she really knows and don’t want her to be uncomfortable with strange men.”

She looked away from Kaden’s stare and glanced at Finnley who was glancing between both of them.

“Whatever you say princess.” Kaden said through gritted teeth and walked off towards the tents, Finnley following behind.

A groan escaped her throat and she clenched her fists at her side. It was like an emotional whiplash between them and she needed to do something to get her mind off it.

Without saying a word she maneuvered around the horses and started into the woods nearby. She didn’t intend to go far, but found her mind so jumbled that by the time she stopped, she couldn’t hear or see the rest of the group.

She found a small open area among the tree roots and sat on the ground with her legs crossed. She hadn’t been out in nature since the one time Kaden took her, and she felt she needed to connect again with it.