Threads of Fate

Chapter 37 ~ You Could Be Great

    They kept to Vael's grueling pace for the next two days and followed the lesser known paths the Shifter had mentioned. They had proven their worth, as they hadn't run into so much as a merchant or traveler, let alone any Lochren warriors. Talarion was still keeping an eye out for them though, and he knew Tissaia and Azael were doing the same.

    Kaius had retained his abnormal flightiness however, to the point where it usually took a few tries to catch the male's attention. Every time Talarion glanced at him, Kaius's hazel gaze was fixed on the mountains, distant and clouded. He hadn't been pushing for the male to open up to him though.

    Once Kaius made up his mind about something, it was difficult to dissuade him, and the last thing either of them needed was to argue on top of the stress they were already facing. He did what he could instead, though it did little to ease his heightened instincts, the urge he had to protect him.

    He held his mate as tightly as he could whenever they made camp for the night. Stayed awake with him until Kaius begrudgingly let himself drift off. Took additional turns on watch and made it clear to the others that they weren't to wake Kaius unless necessary.

    Talarion knew those efforts would annoy Kaius on their own, and he'd frequently heard him complaining to Tissaia that he was more than capable of taking his share of responsibility. Tissaia's returning argument always mirrored his own thoughts. Kaius was taking his share by helping Vael and Kahari hunt when they stopped to camp.

    He was helping by watching for any sign of Drenusha's Doe, though neither he nor Kahari had seen her. And during their brief breaks throughout the day, Kaius had also been helping Tissaia make a new supply of arrows for them to share, as their current stores were beginning to show signs of having been used and reclaimed repeatedly.

    Talarion pulled himself from his brooding thoughts when Azael's mount slowed up ahead. Tension tugged at the corners of his mouth as he joined the male, already searching for whatever had caught his attention.

    He had to admit, he was impressed by how much Azael's tracking skills had developed since they left Arcan. Or perhaps he had always been skilled after training with the Cahirim, and now it was just that his skills had been refreshed after many years of disuse.

    "What is it?" Talarion asked, lifting his head to draw a deep breath of air while Azael did the same. He carefully dissected every scent that greeted him.

    "There's more growth starting up ahead," Azael replied, pointing in the distance to where a spattering of coniferous trees and bracken popped up amidst the foothills. "I assume it will continue to the mountains from here."

    "Most likely," Vael agreed as he appeared at the Prince's other side. "It will give us some cover at least." He shot Talarion a teasing grin. "Maybe then you can ease up on your surveillance."

    "Not likely," Azael huffed. "And you're right, it will give us cover, but it will do the same for any bandits or warriors."

    "It's a risk we'll have to take if you want to stay on course. The only other option is going around."

    Awareness prickled down the back of Talarion's neck, telling him of his mate and the females' arrival even before they spoke. "What's going on?" Tissaia asked.

    Talarion tuned out Azael and Vaeldan's voices while they replied and fixed his attention on Kaius instead. His mate was gazing at the distant trees, his brows furrowed and something calculating within his gaze. Talarion reined his horse back a few steps, coming to stand beside him, but didn't disturb Kaius's concentration.

    The male was searching for something, that much was obvious. Tension gathered within Kaius's shoulders and a muscle in his jaw flexed. Whatever it was, he wasn't finding it. Talarion reached across the gap between their horses to rest his hand against the back of Kaius's neck. He brushed his thumb up and down in gentle, soothing strokes, and Kaius breathed a faint sigh.