Dead Moons Rising, first in the Honest Scrolls series

Chapter Eleven

They waited long enough in the dark for Draven's men that Draven actually fell asleep against a tree, faint snores evacuating his body. Aydra could just see him from the firelight. Leaned back against the trunk, legs crossed in front of him, strong arms crossed over his chest... The peace on his features was something she'd not seen on him before.

Every now and then she would hear the crunch of leaves beneath feet that she couldn't see, and the alpha Ulfram would growl in its direction, but never would it come so close to her that she could see it. And when she asked the Ulfram about it, she would tell her it was not her concern.

Her raven stood guard in the canopy above. Aydra's eyes were threatening to close when she finally heard it tell her the Venari guard was coming.

Aydra turned to tell Draven his men were back, but when she turned, he was no longer sitting against the tree. She frowned into the darkness and turned back, only to find him crouched down suddenly behind her horse.

She jumped at the sight of him.

"Sweet Arbina, Venari," she breathed, grasping at her chest. "Can you not do that?"

"Do what?" he asked as he continued to look at her horse's injured hoof.

She willed her breaths to even, and glared in his direction. "That thing you do, sneaking up on people."

He shrugged and met her gaze. "It's really not my fault you don't listen properly."

Her jaw tightened just as his men backed up a cart next to the horse. Aydra reached out and stroked her horse, telling her it was okay. The men loaded her up gently, and Aydra felt a swell of gratitude for them.

Draven brushed his hands on his pants after and then reached a hand down to her. "Come along, Sun Queen. The darker ones will be out soon. We should get a move on."

She swatted his hand away, and the Ulfram rose from her lap. "I can get up my self," she spat. She pushed off the ground, ignoring the searing pain in her ankles, and then—

—fell straight into Draven's arms.

He swooped her off her feet and into his arms before she could protest.

"Put me down, Venari!" she argued.

He rolled his eyes as he crossed the space to his great black horse. "Shut up before I shut you up," he growled.

Her jaw clenched, and she winced at the pain now clamoring through her. He clicked his tongue twice, and the horse kneeled so he could place her on the saddle.

If she hadn't been so angry, she would have been impressed.

The horse's aubergine eyes radiated into her own, and she placed a hand on its neck.

What is your name? she asked it.

The horse's weight fidgeted and it whinnied once. You hear me? it asked.

I do.

Faryn, it answered.

Draven was staring at her with a narrowed gaze when she started to respond to Faryn. She straightened and the horse rose to its feet again. Draven grabbed the back of the saddle and hoisted himself onto the beast behind her.

"What are you—If you think I want you anywhere near me after the musings of the last council meeting—"

"If I am not mistaken," he cut her off, "It was you who came to me, and you who smoked my herb."

Her jaw tensed.

A slow smile rose on his lips, and she heard him chuckle under his breath. "You and the prince are one in the same. Never one to turn down the release of your own reality."