Ruben frowns. ‘There can’t be much variation in a map, can there? Surely places are just where they are.’
‘Cartography is tricky,’ Kyor disagrees. ‘Some are better than others.’
‘Especially as we get further north,’ Caz says. ‘There are areas around the Hirathean Path that were known for Torailian attacks back when we were at war. Ambush sites where they’d come out in their thousands. I already made notes of those areas so they could be avoided, but I want to cross-reference them with the maps here. Make sure. Galreck has the biggest library in all of Morathka.’
It’s clear from her tone that she’s extremely excited about the idea of being among all those books and scrolls, although being reminded that Torailians like to attack in groups of thousands isn’t something that fills me with sunshine. Still, like she said, we’re planning on staying well out of their territory.
Ruben looks solely at Kyor, more than a little challenge in his eyes. ‘Surely you know the places that are best to avoid. You’re the commander of the king’s army. You must have been up that way hundreds of times.’
‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say hundreds,’ Kyor grunts laconically.
‘But surely you know which areas to skirt around?’ Ruben pushes. ‘Where the boundaries of their lands are? That’s what the battles were about, right? Land disputes?’
‘Yes, but it’s not quite that straightforward,’ Kyor says pointedly. ‘It’s not like there’s a big red line drawn in the earth.’
Benny weighs in. ‘No, but the boundaries must have been there for centuries, so surely you can tell us where we should steer clear of? You must have information about their old camps. Places we should avoid.’
All Benny’s questions are genuine, but Kyor is starting to look irritated. ‘Look, let Caroline look at her maps, and between the two of us, we won’t lead you wrong.’ He ignores them then and turns to Elska. ‘Go and get some food. You’re making me hungry. Then find the others and keep them safe. Wait for me.’ It is clear that he says the orders aloud for our benefit.
In a rare display of affection, Elska trots close and licks his hand repeatedly. ‘Yeah,’ he says softly. ‘Love you too.’
For all his sharp orders and rough edges, I recall his whispered words of weakness. And I wonder if he realises that Elska is both his greatest strength and greatest vulnerability. Elska and – as much as I hate to admit it – me.
Because as his past shows, anyone he cares about has the ability to be used against him.
Chapter 37
Injured or not, Kyor takes the lead, and Ruben stalks at his heels with Caz close behind. Benny falls into step next to me, and together we bring up the rear.
Benny glances ahead, then sideways at me. ‘So,’ he says lightly, ‘are we all pretending nothing’s changed, or are we acknowledging the fact that you nearly killed yourself dragging the prince through a forest on his wolf?’
I snort. ‘I didn’t nearly kill myself. You’re being melodramatic.’
‘No, I’m not,’ he says with surprising seriousness. ‘It was dire. Life-threatening. Extremely stupid.’ A smile tugs at his lips. ‘Incredibly romantic.’
‘Fuck off.’
He grins, and then slowly it fades. When he speaks, his voice is quiet, for my ears alone. ‘Rose, honey, you don’t do that for someone you’re not sure about.’
That needle lands cleanly under my ribs.
‘I didn’t do it because he’s Kyor,’ I say. ‘I did it because he was hurt.’
Benny hums. ‘You say that like it makes a difference.’
I glare at him. ‘It does. I would have done the same for you.’
‘You would have,’ he agrees easily, ‘because you love me.’ Helets a few steps pass before speaking again. ‘Look, I’m not here to push you, to reopen something you want closed. I’m just saying, I don’t think the door is as locked as you think it is. In fact, I think it’s creeping open. We can all see it.’
My jaw tightens.
‘I just want to know why you’re still acting like choosing him was some sort of terrible mistake that you have to atone for.’
I stop walking.
Benny stops too.
Ahead of us, the others keep moving, unaware of our spat – or politely pretending not to notice.
