Mist's Edge (The Broken Lands #2) - T.A. White Page 0,60

it, or else Eva will have the same problem in a week or two.”

Fiona and her men pulled themselves up. Fiona stepped forward. “My men and I will help. We’re not bad trackers.”

Shea gave them a nod of appreciation.

Eva patted the mare on the neck before joining them. “I will help as well since I’m the reason you’re here.”

Trenton and Wilhelm didn’t offer their services. They didn’t need to. Where Shea went, they did as well. Yet Shea couldn’t help noticing the respect on both of their faces when they looked at Eva.

“Clark, take Charles and head back. This could take a while, and I’m sure you both have other duties,” Shea said.

Charles’ face darkened. “We can help. You don’t have to protect us.”

“Yes, you can,” Shea agreed. “You can write up the description and a few points from this experience, and then make sure it gets into the hands of the rest of the herd masters. They need to know what to watch out for so they can protect their herds.”

Shea wasn’t lying. The task was an important one. Even if it hadn’t been, she would have found some way to send Charles back. He wasn’t suited for this work. Nothing wrong with that, but it didn’t change facts.

The look on Charles’ face said he doubted her reasoning but a glance at Braden told her he didn’t want to argue in front of the general.

Clark covered for his friend. “Of course, Shea. We’ll make sure that it’s done.”

The two set off towards camp.

“That was kind of you,” Braden observed.

“Not particularly. I needed it done.”

He made a hmm sound that was neither agreement nor disagreement.

Shea took the lead, trusting the others to follow. It was going to be a long afternoon.

CHAPTER TEN

SHEA WAITED as Trenton and Wilhelm conducted their checks of Fallon’s tent—though she didn’t see much point to it, given the guards stationed at all times at the entrance. She was tired, and the scratches and bites she’d received from the bandisox stung. She just wanted to get inside, bathe, and rest for a little bit before dinner.

Trenton gave her a nod, indicating it was safe. She pushed past him, grateful the outer chamber was empty.

Passing through the partition that separated the private quarters from the public ones, she headed for the mound of furs piled on their bed. A bath would take time to draw up. In the meantime, the bed called to her. A short platform covered by a thick mattress, it was the heaviest piece of furniture in the room. It was elegant in its simplicity, not approaching the ornateness or heaviness of a bed found in a Lowland or Highland home. The mattress managed to be soft and firm at the same time, a welcoming cloud of comfort that Shea was loath to leave more often than not. Before Fallon, she would have said that a soft place to sleep was an unimportant luxury. A few nights in his bed had changed her mind.

After sleeping on the hard ground last night and then running around the forest chasing bandisox, she was sore—something she would never have noticed before her time with Fallon and his bed. She’d become weak. Dependent on its stupid softness.

She studied the mattress with half a mind to demand its absence, or at least consider sleeping on the ground more often. She’d never do it, too addicted to the way it cradled bones long abused by the work she demanded of them, but it was a thought.

She turned and sat, falling sideways onto the pillow. Another comfort that she wouldn’t have said was important before now.

The pillow made an odd crinkling sound. She frowned. It had never done that before. She sat back up and stared down at it, noticing the edge of paper sticking out from under it. A note. It must have shifted when Shea had head-planted onto the pillow.

She picked it up, curious. Fallon hadn’t struck her as the type to leave messages. She felt a thrill of excitement. Perhaps she had just discovered a previously unknown side of him.

The discovery felt like a gift, much like the feeling after visiting a place where she knew few had ever walked before. Excited, awed, and just a little bit humbled—she felt an odd mishmash of feelings that put a tight feeling in her throat. She’d never felt such things for a person before. It was something to think about.

With eager hands, she unfolded the note, careful not to accidentally tear