Broken But Unburnt

Chapter 28 - Maverick

Chapter 28: Maverick

Ysuelt Dwelling

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Maverick had been aware of Neva staring at him since the moment he left the armory, following in Calliope's wake, and packed up his things to leave. They were on their way to the stables now where the others would already be waiting.

They hadn't wasted much time once the decision had been made to depart. They'd had one last meal with the Ysuelt, gotten a good night's sleep in preparation for the journey, woken up and packed. Maverick had noticed Gabriel glaring at him all throughout the morning. It should have mattered little to him. He hardly knew the man at all. But there was something disappointing about being on Gabriel Barlowe's bad side.

"Why?" Neva finally replied with a frown. "It's not as if you would listen to me anyway."

Maverick stopped walking, turning to face her with a sigh.

"I'm sorry," he told her. "You were right. You're always right. It would have been safer to venture off alone. It would have been safer to tell no one who we were and to remain hidden. But then we never would have found this place. And we never would have found her."

"And you're happy we found her because of Delphi's visions," Neva barked back, crossing her arms and raising a brow to show that even she didn't believe what she was saying. "And no other reason whatsoever."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know precisely what I'm alluding to. I've never seen you like this, Mav. You can hardly look away from her."

Maverick blushed a deep crimson, shouldered his pack, and marched off.

"It's not like that, Neva," he muttered.

She fell in behind him once more and did not broach the subject again. They found Aditya, Zephyr, and Delphi waiting for them at the stables. They had already saddled all five horses and were readying their things to depart. Maverick and Neva joined them in the preparations. Maverick had just swung himself onto his horse when Sebastian rode into the stables already on his own.

"Where do you think you're going?" Zephyr asked, frowning and holding out an arm to keep Sebastian from getting too close, protective as always.

"With you," Sebastian snapped and the glare he shot Zephyr was a dare to challenge him. Zephyr just turned towards Maverick.

"Why?" Neva asked before Maverick could answer.

"Because she is," Sebastian said simply.

"He shouldn't come," Neva spoke, looking over to Maverick as she did. "We'll be crossing a warzone. It isn't safe for a civilian–"

"I'm more of a warrior than anyone here."

Zephyr's eyes snapped to Sebastian.

"Fine," Maverick interrupted before things could get ugly between the men. "Come along. But don't slow us down."

Sebastian muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like spoiled rich boy but Maverick simply ignored him and rode out of the stables and into the valley beyond. The others followed him to find that Calliope was already saddled and ready to go. She sat upon her horse, a beautiful chestnut mare, and stared into the rising sun.

"I told him he shouldn't come," she said quietly as Maverick rode up to join her. They both glanced over their shoulders at where the others waited upon their horses, milling about until directed to depart.

"He doesn't seem the sort to take no for an answer," Maverick replied. "And he cares a great deal for your safety. I have one of those friends too. They're hard to get rid of."