The Wind's Call (The Broken Lands #4) - T.A. White Page 0,10

her attention on making sure she and the idiot survived the encounter.

She crooned nonsense, careful to keep her posture nonthreatening as she watched the stallion for signs of aggression.

It was only when the horse quit whipping his tail from side to side and his ears had returned to being pricked slightly forward that Eva felt it was safe enough to stand.

"Jason, move very slowly over to the fence," she ordered.

He reached for the whip again.

"Leave it."

He scowled at her and Eva thought he was going to ignore her before he stood, edging carefully away without taking his eyes from the chestnut.

Eva remained where she was, knowing the stallion could change his mind about stomping Jason out of existence at any moment.

Eva studied the horse for several seconds. He really was a magnificent creature with his head lifted proudly. His nostrils flared as his sides heaved. As much as he'd calmed, he was by no means predictable.

Eva had no doubt if he felt threatened in the least he'd react aggressively.

It was why she was giving Jason time to escape the corral while she remained behind.

He reached the fence and climbed over it. Eva let out a sigh of relief. Good. That was one less thing to worry about.

Her gaze caught on Hardwick and Ollie where they’d joined the crowd, watching the happenings with sharp eyes. Ollie’s expression was tense and unhappy, like he was about to come over the fence at any moment. Hardwick's gaze was fierce, his lips pursed into a thin line. Eva had a feeling he was furious, but it was hard to tell behind the normally terse expression.

When neither man intervened, Eva took that as confirmation her instincts in handling the situation were correct.

The stallion visibly calmed once Jason was no longer in the corral with him, his breathing steadying and his muscles relaxing. Eva didn't let his posture fool her. He might be less agitated, but that could still change.

She'd seen horses like him before. With proper training and the right rider, he'd eventually be an exceptional mount. But not if an idiot like Jason ruined him before he got the chance.

Eva slowly lowered to grab the whip, making sure to keep her motions smooth. She walked calmly to the edge of the corral, hopping the fence with little effort.

When she landed on the other side, she realized she held the attention of everyone near the corral, including Caden. His face was an indecipherable mask, but she couldn’t help but feel a silent judgement rolling off him.

She hated that he had witnessed this debacle. The man always seemed to find her when she was at her worst.

Caden was highly respected among the Trateri. He held a position she could never hope for, his word unquestioned, his opinions valued the rare times he spoke. He was quiet, and more observant because of it.

It was hard not to feel like he was unraveling your secrets when he studied you. Once upon a time, Eva had looked up to him. She’d gotten breathless when he was near, allowed herself to dwell on what it would be like to have the regard of a man like him.

That nonsense was over. Killed by a few unguarded words in a time of tragedy.

Now, she went out of her way to avoid him. Right then, she’d like to be as far away as possible.

She pushed Caden and the other warriors who still stared at her in curiosity out of her mind. She couldn’t focus on them. She had more important things to deal with.

Anger coiled in her belly over the close call. Jason had put not only himself in danger, but the stallion as well. At this point she wasn't sure which of those facts she was more upset about.

"I don't know why you interfered. I had it under control," Jason said sulkily.

Eva sucked in a breath, taking a step toward the idiot. Under control her rear.

Ollie was quick to step into her path, his tall body blocking the idiot from view. Eva jerked her attention up to him, noting the placating expression on his face as he held his hands up.

"There's no need to go getting your temper riled," he said softly so only she could hear. "Hardwick will deal with him. Just walk away."

"Wish I had someone who showed me favoritism," Jason muttered.

Eva wasn't sure if they were meant to hear, but they did. Ollie stiffened, his mouth tensing as his eyes darkened.

The jab pricked the temper that had barely settled,