Threads of Fate

Chapter 11 ~ Bonded by Memory

    Shortly past midday, Tissaia chose to dismount and walk, both to stretch the soreness from her legs, and also to give her mare a rest. The others had followed her example. Azael and Talarion were moving at a slightly slower pace than her and Kaius. Their horses were even more worn out than theirs owed to their intervals of scouting ahead.

    That now fell to her and Kaius as they were in the lead. Currently, her companion was crouching near the base of a tree and examining something that must've caught his eye. Tissaia peered past his shoulder curiously, but all she could see was tangled roots and moss with mushrooms springing out of it.

    Kaius let his hands fall between his knees and cocked his head. His hair tumbled past his face, hiding it from view. Tissaia grinned, spying a few stray leaves stuck in the male's locks. She'd seen him flicking them off throughout the day, but even more took their place, like the forest's way of claiming him.

    Kaius smoothed his hair back and stood, a pensive frown tugging at his full lips. "What is it?" Tissaia prompted.

    "See how the mushrooms are broken?" He pointed to a few of the squashed capless stems and she nodded. "Something stepped on them, but it wasn't an animal. If it had been, the trail would continue and we'd see more signs of breakage on the other plants. Maybe catch some fur in the tree bark or a few claw marks here and there."

    "So what do you think did it?"

    He crossed his arms and his brow creased in thought. "It could be scouts or hunters from one of the hidden villages. We're close to the one I was born in, but if it was them, why wouldn't they have foraged these? These mushrooms are edible, and people from the hidden villages gather all food available to them."

    "Maybe it was Humans," Tissaia offered. "You know how they are. They just go about their business without much notice of the mess they leave behind them."

    Kaius shook his head. "Not likely. Most Humans are afraid of the forest and won't move through here without a Fae guide." His gaze slid to hers and she understood the thoughts reflecting in his gaze.

    "You think there are Blood Fae nearby," she murmured. The air around them turned still and thick, pressing against her body uncomfortably. Her skin prickled and beside her, her mare let out a snort.

    "The breakage isn't fresh. I estimate they must've passed through last night, but yes, they could still be in the area."

    "What's the likelihood we'll run into them?"

    "Blood Fae need water too," he answered simply. Tissaia's mouth ran dry.

    If they were also headed towards the river, there might not be any avoiding the bloodthirsty devils. Especially since their entire group possessed magic, and two of them were of god-bloodlines. The mere scent of their blood would draw the creatures close.

    "We're behind them for now, and with luck, we can keep it that way," Kaius added. "As long as the wind doesn't change and they don't double back, they won't catch our scents."

    They both turned as footsteps and heavy hoofbeats drew closer. Azael and Talarion eyed them with wary interest. "Don't tell me you two were tired already," Talarion remarked, though there was little humor in his voice. His gaze had already met Kaius's, and she knew her brother hadn't missed the anxiety within it. "You found something."

    "Blood Fae. They passed through last night," he confirmed.

    "Shit," her brother growled. "That'll throw us off course a few days. Do you think they'll be able to catch our scent if we move east and cross closer to Oriana's Pavilion?"