Just as Jason had been.
Covath's face held the same implacability it always had. Finally, he nodded. "I am beginning to see that you take your responsibilities seriously."
"I do."
"I will consider this."
Hope stirred.
For all their differences, Eva still believed they could still find a way forward. One that didn't involve the hate of the past.
"I hope you do that," Eva said.
Covath started to turn, before pausing to look at Caden. "She isn't the only one who impressed us today. Well fought, protector."
Caden sent the flock leader a respectful nod.
"Did I miss something?" Eva asked as Covath shot up, following the same path as Merc and Brisa.
Seeing his brother depart, Ajari disappeared into the crowd.
Caden drew Eva into his chest. "I think the flock leader respects strength."
Ah.
Looking around at the state of some of their enemies' bodies, Eva wasn't sure whether to be impressed or scared about that fact.
Talia pushed through the crowd, catching hold of Jason's shirt and dragging him back a few steps. She looked him over before nudging his chest, not stopping until Jason reached up to pat her nose with a nonplussed look on his face.
"What is going on?" he mouthed at Eva.
She shook her head. He was asking her? She had no idea.
Once Jason scratched the spot she wanted, Talia lifted her head and moved away. The child still requires extensive training if he wishes to be a true rider. Let him know when he reaches the herd lands that I will personally oversee his training.
Eva blinked. And then blinked again.
"Eva?" Jason prodded when she remained silent.
"I don't understand," Eva finally said.
It is simple. I am claiming this child as my rider. The first of the Kyren's riders.
Shock rendered Eva mute as she opened her mouth and closed it again.
Jason frowned at her. "What is she saying?"
Eva snapped back to herself. "She's claiming you as her rider."
There were murmurs around them as the Trateri got excited.
Jason didn't say anything, blinking rapidly as Talia moved toward Polaris and Danyon. "What—I don't—This is—"
Jason still hadn't found his voice as Polaris's gaze settled on Eva.
Orion instructs you to bring your humans home once your wounded can be moved. It will be the safest place for them.
Eva frowned uncertainly. "I thought the location had to stay secret."
Things change, Caller.
Polaris's wings spread as he and the rest of the Kyren departed.
Jason sucked in a deep breath, looking faint. "Eva, did she mean what I think she meant?"
His disbelief made a small smile creep onto Eva's face.
"I think she did."
There was a brief pause as Jason looked at her with wild eyes. She nodded again to reassure him.
Abruptly, he threw back his head and whooped.
Caden drew Eva into his arms. "Someone is happy."
Eva set one hand on his chest. "It looks like you will be losing your newest Anateri recruit. How do you feel about that?"
Caden's face dipped as his lips touched hers. "Like I just gained a permanent assistant."
Fiona and the rest rode back into camp a few hours later while the Trateri were dealing with the aftermath. Spotting Eva and Caden, she guided her horse toward them.
She stopped, glancing around with an impressed look on her face. "It seems like we missed all the fun."
Caden stepped forward, offering his hand in greeting. She clasped his forearm before straightening in her saddle.
"We managed without you," he said.
"Sorry about that. We ran into a few of our own on our way back who needed help. It delayed us." Fiona nodded toward Ghost and Roscoe as they made their way in their direction.
Warin rode behind Ghost. The Trateri's arm was immobilized by a sling and his face had streaks of dried blood across it. Next to them, Roscoe led his horse on foot, a prone body lying face down over the saddle. The arms dangled lifelessly.
"Drake," Jane whispered with an ache of loss.
Eva's heart clenched, sorrow squeezing her throat as Jane made her way toward the fallen Anateri. Jane lifted a hand and set it on his back, her head bowing as her shoulders shook silently.
"My clan would have been proud to call him a member. He fought until the very end." There was none of the arrogance or cockiness in Warin's face from before, only a somberness.
Jane nodded but didn't speak.
"We encountered the expedition you sent to find these two." Fiona tipped her head at Drake and Warin. "They're escorting the rest of the wounded here."
"Good work," Caden told Fiona.
"I wish we could have been sooner," Fiona said, her gaze lingering on Drake. "Maybe then—"
Fiona trailed off, shaking her head in regret.
"Yeah," Caden told her with a sad sigh, his expression understanding.
Fiona nodded before guiding her horse away.
Chirron appeared next to Ghost's horse.
Warin dodged his help. "I'm fine."
"Spare me the bullshit. You can't even sit straight. If Ghost wasn't holding you up, you already would have fallen off," Chirron snapped.
Warin's face screwed up. "I'm fine. Give your attention to those who need it more."
Chirron glared at him with a murderous expression.
"Warin." Van came up behind Chirron. "Let him help you."
Warin resisted only a second longer before he gave in. Chirron wasn't going to let him walk away without a fuss and everyone knew it.
Van and Chirron helped him off the horse as Roscoe stopped next to Jane.
He clasped her shoulder in sympathy. "He had a good death. Sometimes that's all we can ask for."
She nodded, her voice quiet. "I know."
Roscoe moved past, stopping next to Eva. His gaze met hers. "Nothing good ever comes of assuming a responsibility that isn't yours."
He sent a meaningful look at where Fiona had disappeared.
Eva wanted so much to believe him, but she just couldn't. It was her responsibility. He'd taken the arrow meant for her. That lay this squarely on her shoulders.
"He died protecting me."
"He died doing his duty," Roscoe corrected. "He was an Anateri, first and foremost."
Jane looked up, her eyes rimmed with red. "He's right. Drake wouldn't want you to grieve. For him, there is no better ending than this. He went out exactly the way he lived—on his own terms."
"I'd wager he took more than a few of the enemy with him for company before he went too." Roscoe's smile was crooked.
Caden squeezed Eva's shoulder. "He and the rest of our dead will be honored with a pyre at sunset. Tomorrow, we'll head for the herd lands."
"They're finally letting us in?" Roscoe lifted his eyebrows in question. At Eva's nod, he snorted. "About damn time."
With that, he moved off, leaving them to grieve alone.
Eva went into Caden's arms as he pulled her close, whispering into her hair, "He's right. Don't hold on to your guilt too hard."
Eva sniffled. "Easier said than done."