Page 53 of Mattox
“Now you understand,” he praised her. It felt good.
“Cara, I’ve been meaning to ask you this. Why did your father bring such a large army with you? The other battle lords make do with a dozen or so.”
“We noticed the smaller campsites.” She shrugged. “I honestly don’t know why. That’s Dad. He has enough men. I guess he figured three hundred would suffice, considering how long it would take to get here and back.”
She finished re-bandaging his leg, including the tourniquet, but not as tight. That done, she stretched out beside him, rolling onto her back to gaze up at him. “So your eyes let others know you can see in the dark?”
“Not in total darkness. I can’t see if there’s all absence of light. But given a small flame, or the stars, and, yes, I can see in the dark. And very, very far away.”
Her eyebrows lifted. In the firelight, her eyes became pools of reflective amber. They were almost mesmerizing. “How far?”
“Miles. I’m able to spot a rider on a horse, and tell you what they’re wearing, and what kind of weapon they have.”
She made a face. He sensed she was trying not to laugh. “What the horse was wearing? Or the rider?”
Laughing, he gave her a little shove with his shoulder. Caralas snorted and slapped his arm. Unable to resist, he lowered his face, and found her lips waiting for his. They were warm, wet, and inviting. Throwing an arm over her waist, he dragged her closer until she was almost directly underneath him.
“So, if you’re able to see over vast distances with your eyes, what about your brother and sister? They don’t have any uniqueness that I saw.”
“Misty’s is her feet. She keeps them hidden from sight. The next time you see her, check them out. You’ll see how different they are.”
“I take it she can run…differently?”
“They’re hooves. And she can run faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. I mean, she’s like the wind, which is incredible, considering she wasn’t able to walk very well until she was almost four years old.”
“Hooves? Like a horse’s hooves?”
“Yes. It’s actually one toe, but that’s what a horse’s hoof is, anyway. Oh, and it’s sharp.”
“Sharp?”
“The nail. One good kick, and she can slice through a fence post.” He paused, remembering an incident a little over a year ago when he saw what she’d done to a man who’d kidnapped and abused her. If Caralas noticed his hesitation, she didn’t mention it.
“What about Lucien? Is his Mutah-ness hidden, too?”
“Actually, he doesn’t have an outward mark. Some Mutah don’t, which is why they’re sometimes able to pass as Normal.”
“So there’s nothing special about him?”
“Actually, there is, but it’s hard to explain. When you’ve been around him for a while, you’ll start to notice it.” He caught her confusion. “What?”
“I’m trying to figure out how your mother, the battle lady, how her having blue hair equates into her having such prowess with a bow. Thatisher unique skill, right?”
“Bow, crossbow. Just about any weapon you put in her hands, she’s damn good at using. But when it comes to the bow, there’s no one her equal…washer equal.” He swallowed hard. “Personally, I don’t believe there ever will be again.” The ache was back, so devastating and so fucking painful, he could barely stand it.
Caralas reached up to caress his face, forcing him to look at her. “I believe you,” she softly whispered.
He lowered his face, burying his nose in the curve of her neck and shoulder. As she stroked his back, he unashamedly wept.
27
Lurking
Fortune returned to the fire where the others were gathered. “It’s too damn quiet out there.”
“See anything?” Renken asked.
“Just the usual. Nothing to worry about.” He took a seat on the ground next to Lucien. “The horses are watered. Are we going to spend the night here, or do we want to try to get another couple of miles under our belt before calling it a day?”
