“Do you trust Calythra?” I ask close to his ear, and the weight of the question hangs between us.
Solan hesitates, searching the stars for a long moment. “I don’t know. But I trust that he wants us to survive. For now, that’s enough.”
I let out a slow breath, toying with the fabric of his shirt. “What about you?” I ask softly. “Doyouthink we can survive this?”
His eyes snap back to mine, and the intensity in his gaze makes my heart skip a beat. “With you? I’ll survive anything.”
It’s a bold statement, one that makes my throat tighten, but I don’t argue. Instead, I press a kiss to his chest, right above where his heart beats steadily beneath my palm. “Then I guess we better rest and make it our mission to find them tomorrow.”
He smirks faintly, brushing his hand over my hair. “You’re already thinking ahead. I knew I chose well.”
I roll my eyes, but the teasing glint in his gaze is infectious. “You didn’t choose me,” I say with a small laugh. “Fate did.”
Solan’s expression softens, and his fingers trail down my arm. “Maybe. But if I could choose a thousand times over, I’d still choose you.”
The tenderness in his voice is too much, and I yawn suddenly, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to me. He chuckles, shifting to pull me closer as my eyes flutter shut.
“Sleep,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple. “I’ll keep watch with Calythra.”
And as I drift off in his arms, I believe him. With Solan by my side, there’s nothing I can’t face—even a rebellion.
By the time the sun comes up, we’re all awake and finalising packing up our small camp. I slept surprisingly well, but I suspect being pressed up against Solan is the reason. Even my blue balls didn’t keep me awake.
Jamie’s all but bouncing around the camp this morning, getting distracted when he should be packing up. The whole time, he’s been “Caly’s” shadow, because that’s what Jamie’snow calling the warrior in training. Sure, I’m a little concerned by the hero worship that’s going on—still not completely certain what to make of Calythra’s help—but honestly, I’ll take Jamie’s fixation on Calythra rather than him having a meltdown.
At some point, it’s going to happen. All I can do is make sure I’m ready to catch him when all of this stops being an adventure and the reality of Jamie’s situation—along with being without his parents and facing the very real likelihood of never seeing them again—hits home.
Selfishly, I just hope it happens once we’re safe.
Solan picking up a pack of supplies draws my attention. “I’ll scout ahead,” he says. “Never more than a call away,” he tacks on.
I don’t like it, at all, but we discussed this yesterday.
The further into this unknown territory we venture, the more on edge we become. While Calythra offered to venture ahead, Solan insisted he be the one to take on that role. And I get it—albeit reluctantly. Calythra is young and inexperienced. Solan, however, can track. He even gave a big spiel comparing himself to Arnie playing Dutch inPredatorand being a formidable hunter.
I only smirked a little when he did so, but the thing is, I don’t doubt his skills. Neither does Calythra, who told me in no uncertain terms, “Solan’s reputation is the kind of thing that gets whispered about in taverns and on training grounds. You know, like:‘Don’t wander too far from the campfire, or Solan might track you just to prove he can.’”
Jamie, overhearing, had burst into laughter. “What, like some kind of scary bedtime story?”
Calythra had shrugged with mock seriousness. “Not a story, Jamie. A cautionary tale. Do you know how many people swear he once tracked a fleeing thief through a sandstorm? Asandstorm.Apparently, the guy thought he’d lost Solan, only to wake up with him standing over the campfire like,‘Nice try.’”
I’d chuckled at that, though inwardly I had no trouble believing it. Solan’s sharp eyes, his ability to read the smallest disturbances in the ground, even his predatory stillness when studying his surroundings—it was like he was born for it. He didn’t just notice things; heownedthem. The ground under his feet? His map. The air around him? His compass.
Jamie, however, hadn’t been done. “So basically, Solan’s the kind of guy who could loseyoujust by standing still?”
“Exactly.” Calythra grinned, gesturing grandly, all while Solan had rolled his eyes as he prepared our meal last night. “And when he moves? Forget it. One moment, he’s there. Blink, and he’s already got your trail memorised, your weaknesses catalogued, and your supply stash raided. He probably knows what you’re going to dobeforeyou decide to do it.”
“Well, that’s not terrifying,” I’d muttered dryly. But even as the banter circled around Solan’s almost-mythical skills, I couldn’t help the small swell of pride that warmed my chest. If anyone could keep us alive in this strange and dangerous world, it was him.
Bringing me back into the present, Solan adjusts the strap of his pack and leans down to press a kiss to my lips. It’s firm, lingering just enough to make my pulse flutter before he pulls away, his golden eyes locking onto mine. “I’ll be back before you miss me.”
I smirk despite the twinge of unease in my chest. “Too late for that.”
His hand brushes my cheek, softness passing over his features. I watch as he disappears into the trees, his movements so fluid and silent, it’s like he was never there to begin with. I glance at Calythra, who’s watching Solan’s retreat with a crooked grin.
“Damn,” he mutters, his voice full of admiration. “I’ve heard all the stories about Solan’s skills, but seeing him move? That’s some next-level badassery.”
Jamie perks up, his curiosity piqued. “What kind of stories?”
