She clutched a swollen ankle as if its pain rivalled that of his shoulder.
Pity rocked him, and he cursed himself as it enveloped his chest. Not again. I can’t babysit one more bleedin’ thing just because it’s cute.
He looked for one of the moons but couldn’t find one among the canopy of dark branches overhead. If she can’t get home, a d’hakka will get her for sure. He recalled the wide paw prints he’d spotted in the clay of the dry creek bed earlier. Or a trace cat.
Ryon waited restlessly, biting on the honey drop until Kira pulled herself to her feet. Well, one foot. She hobbled along, grasping for branches from tree to tree like a wounded sloth.
The grounded leaves she disturbed made so much noise the crickets stopped singing. She’d be better off sitting still and being quiet to wait the night out. But if she cut herself during the fall, the predators will smell her blood regardless.
Impatience burned in his veins. It had already taken him twice as long as normal to cover this much ground toward Jadenvive. He had to keep moving to take advantage of the last of the blissroot. His wound had to be properly treated—Sa’alu sticking his thumb in it probably put it at high risk of infection. And the chieftess needed to know that void-cursed lieutenant’s position, and that some Navakovrae settlers remained friendly to the tribes.
Like Tekkyn.
Ryon bit the inside of his cheek. He’d promised not to harm Tekkyn’s family or his property. Then he’d forgotten to put out the embers on the rope when he’d burned through it to free himself—and had promptly burned down their entire livelihood.
Aeo, what do I do? My wound is deep, and she’ll just slow me down. Then kill me in my sleep.
Guilt gnawed at him. The answer pressed upon his soul from his own knowledge of the creator’s commands. Love for one’s enemies, even under the pain of death. Mercy, even when it flew in the face of victory. Forgiveness, especially when the accused was repentant.
Ryon heard himself groan. The creator’s game of opposites would be the death of him. How were they supposed to win the coming war?
His bones creaked in resistance as he forced himself closer to Kira. She’d stopped trying to walk and just sat there in torn pajamas and worn-out leather shoes, staring into the night as if her soul had vacated her petite body. Scratches crisscrossed her umber skin, and she hadn’t bothered to pull pine needles and twigs from her tight curls.
Ryon swallowed to summon his reluctant voice. “Looks pretty bad.”
Kira jumped and scrambled for a nearby stick. Wide blue eyes searched the forest for the source of his voice, and her stick pointed in his general direction as if it could ward him off.
“You stay away from me.” Her voice warbled even as she tried to strengthen it. “I’ll kill you.”
Guilt plagued Ryon again. Maybe he shouldn’t have scared her that much.
He eyed her shaking stick. Kira was obviously a skilled trapper and tracker, but she was no spear-maiden like the chieftess. But laughing at her meager defense probably wasn’t a good idea.
“I can make you a brace,” he said. “Better put some pressure on it before it swells any more.”
“I don’t need anything from you,” Kira sneered. “Go back to your tree city and tell the Jade Witch we’re coming for her.”
Ryon pursed his lips. So much for the settlers being friendly. She must really have no idea about Tekkyn’s thoughts on the subject.
At least the rumors about the chieftess had spread fear of her into the Malaano towns. If only her own people didn’t think of their leader as a witch.
Well, I tried. Ryon turned on his heel. “All right. Sleep tight.”
“Wait!”
He glanced back over his shoulder.
Kira looked like a child half her age as she cowered there with forced confidence. “Why would you offer to help after you just threatened to kill me?” she whispered.
Ryon looked down at his boots. “Because it feels like the right thing to do” sounded like something she’d never believe. So did “I promised your brother I’d protect his family when he let me go.” Still, they might work better than “you’re cute even when you’re trying to kill me, and I don’t like the idea of you being cat food.”
She’ll think I’m insane no matter what I say now.
He sighed. “I don’t want to kill you; you just wouldn’t listen to me. Running home was your best option