There was also the fact the two were very good at being unobtrusive, letting Eva live her life without too much obstruction. People only realized their presence when the two wanted to make a splash, and usually by then blood had been shed and limbs had been severed. Other people's, of course.
"The army isn't even the least of it," Caden said. "Reece found something that disturbed him."
Eva reared back. "Somehow knowing a pathfinder is worried is more concerning than the confirmation that an army is closing in on our valley."
Caden made a masculine rumble of agreement. "My thoughts as well."
Eva paused and frowned, reminded of what the Kyren had shown her that afternoon. "Is this thing he found a body? It's insides missing as if someone had removed everything but the skin and bone?"
Caden stilled. "The Kyren found remnants as well."
"Reece wasn't the only one who was disturbed by that," Eva said in confirmation.
"How far?"
"Just over the ridge. In the valley next to this one."
Caden cursed.
Eva hesitated, not sure how accurate the next part was but knowing it needed to be shared. "That's not all. It looked like humans hunted the red back for sport and then left it to a scavenger who ate it up from the inside out."
"I’m sure they weren’t pleased about that," Caden guessed.
Eva nodded. "Their first instinct was to drive us out of this part of the Highlands. I argued that our people weren't responsible."
The urge to ask if she was right pressed in on her before Eva forced it away. If she wanted to be one of the Trateri, she couldn't always second guess them.
Suspicion was all well and good, but not when it was a constant companion. At that point, she might as well go her own way.
As always, Caden seemed to understand what was going on in her mind without her saying a word.
"None of those who traveled with us would have. They know better," Caden confirmed. "But they're not the ones you're worried about, are they?"
Eva pressed her lips against his shoulder in response.
"I could see Lion Clan hunting a beast for a challenge, but they wouldn't leave the skin behind. They'd take it and as much of the meat as they could harvest. The Trateri don't waste resources, no matter the clan," Caden said. "Rain is even less likely. They pride themselves on their cleverness and using their brains. They'd consider a hunt for trophies beneath them. Something only those with more muscles than wits would do."
The tight knot in Eva's stomach loosened further. "That's good. The Kyren will find nothing to hold us responsible for."
Caden shifted to face Eva, his gaze searching her features in the shadows. He reached up, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear.
"We will figure this out," Caden promised her. "I won't let anything touch you or your Kyren."
The words were a vow.
Caden wasn't a man often given to romantic words or flowery sentiments. His actions spoke louder than words ever could.
It was why Eva had fallen in love with him. How could she not when everything he did or said showed her his heart?
Just look at tonight. His hair still damp from the dip he'd taken to wash up before coming to her. At this time of night, the water would have been icy cold. Not comfortable in the least. Yet, he'd braved it for her.
Such a simple act, but it spoke volumes.
If that didn't show how much he cared, she didn't know what would.
Eva flopped back onto the bed, her arms splayed wide at her sides. "Why can't anything ever be easy?"
Caden's shadow bent over her body, his clothes rustling. His forearms came up to frame Eva's head. "I don't know. Maybe sometimes hard is exactly what we need."
Silence.
A laugh burst out of Eva. "Tell me you did not just say that."
His fingers tangled in her hair. One thumb stroked the rim of ear in a soft caress that made her eyes flutter.
"I love your laugh." He nuzzled her neck, placing a small kiss there. "I'd do just about anything to hear it."
"Is that why you were gone when I got back?" She smiled up at the ceiling. "I was expecting to find you waiting, but you were nowhere to be seen. Maybe if you'd been a little less elusive, we could have put that hardness to use."
Eva couldn't hold in her snicker. In retaliation Caden nipped her collarbone, the quick pain causing her to jump and let out a sound embarrassingly close to a screech.
"Careful, alea na. There are consequences to your actions," he advised her in a husky voice.
Eva slid a foot along his calf and lifted her eyebrows at him. "Maybe I wouldn't mind those consequences."
Taunting a beast was a delicate and dangerous operation, yet all the more rewarding because of it.
And right now, Caden was more like a beast than a man. It was in the intense way he watched her. The almost predatory line of his body where he hovered over hers. His utter stillness, as if a single move on his or her part would break the rigid control he was exerting over himself.
Suddenly the few scraps of clothing separating her body from his felt constricting and tight.
Arousal rose.
For a brief moment, Eva wished she could see his face. Watch as passion overtook him.
It was a powerful thing destroying the control of a man like Caden. A warrior who could end her with a flick of his hand.
It was a little terrifying to be the focus of someone like that. Not to mention thrilling.
Not taking her eyes off his, Eva lifted her hands. Caden didn't move, holding himself effortlessly above her, as she smoothed them down his chest until she met the edge of his shirt.
Caden quivered, his stomach flexing as she explored. The warmth of his skin seeped into her hands. Her fingers touched the band of his pants, drawing a guttural sound out of Caden as she investigated the sensitive skin there.
His fingers curled into claws, clutching the blankets at her shoulders.
Excitement unfurled as Caden's breathing grew harsh.
In reward for his control, Eva leaned up, pressing a kiss against his chin as she dipped one finger below his waist band to tease the skin below.
"You play with fire, alea na," Caden said in a deep voice that rasped against Eva's ears.
Eva didn't fight her shiver, already anticipating the coming storm.
"You speak like that's a bad thing." Eva's fingers brushed against heated, velvet warmth. She gripped Caden, luxuriating as his soft breaths tickled her neck. "It would be better to burn in the blaze with you than remain safely in the cold alone."
Caden's head jerked as his eyes came to hers. Vulnerability peeking through the passion. An emotion she shared.
"You are my heart's breath," he told her, his tone carrying the hushed reverence of a vow.
Warm lips met hers. Unexpectedly soft for such a hard man. They moved over hers, first feather light.
Caden and Eva parted, their breath mingling.
"Fuck it." Caden's next kiss was hard and fast. Searing in its intensity.
He collapsed his lower body against hers, pressing his thick hardness to her center. Eva's pulse thumped as warmth pooled.
Caden's lips left hers to sear a path along her jawline and down the side of her throat. Needy sounds left Eva as she struggled to press herself closer.