The moment Ristan turned his mount around and nodded, the Shifter came forward. Silas eyed me, before turning his attention to Ryder.
“We’re being followed. I’ve caught his scent five times in the last hour. This one is on his own, and not a Mage, Ryder,” Silas said, pinning me with those stunning eyes.
“How many?” Ryder asked, as his arm came down protectively over my waist.
“Only one following us, and he is strong. I can catch his scent, but every time I think I have pinned his location, he moves.”
“Which Caste is he from?” Ryder asked calmly.
“No idea, but he is moving with a purpose. He’s been on each side of us. I think he is throwing his scent, trying to keep his presence masked,” Silas said with a sharp twist to his lips. His eyes once again landed on me, and that uneasy feeling came broiling back to life.
“Zahruk,” he shouted over his shoulder, “take two guards and scout ahead, but stay within shouting distance. No magic unless a life is dependent on it. I would rather repeat the trial than lose one of my men to the Mages.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was several hours before Zahruk and his scouting party came back to the group. We’d been traveling for what felt like forever when Ryder called a halt next to a bubbling stream. I was still looking lovingly at the natural springs that seemed to bubble up from nowhere.
“We will camp here,” Ryder announced.
“We are moving about as fast as snails,” I griped. My ass was sore, and my legs hurt from the endless gait that his horse had trotted here with.
“We are making good time,” Ryder replied. “You are in need of respite. We will leave at dawn, and push on further into the Gnarled Forest. Tonight, we need rest, and those who have never been in the forest need to know the dangers of entering it.”
“Like what?” I asked, feeling my curiosity spike.
He slid from the horse, and looked back up at me expectantly. When I made no move to get down, Ryder smiled devilishly and easily plucked me from the horse. “Like don’t tempt the beast, because he likes a good game of cat and mouse.”
I swatted at his shoulder. “I’m serious.”
“So am I,” he said as he leaned over and kissed my forehead. “Come; I’ll bathe with you in the springs.”
I eyed the spring, and then eyed the beast in front of me. “I’m not getting naked in front of an army of men.”
“You think I would allow anyone to see what is mine?” Ryder asked, as he turned back to look at me, hiking his brow up until it wrinkled.
“Who says I’m yours?” I taunted him.
“I do,” he said to me. To Sevrin, who stood closest to us, he issued orders and the poor guy jumped to do it. I watched from where I stood, as they erected a cover around one of the springs that was surrounded by large oval rocks.
“They are heated, so it should help to heal the soreness of traveling,” Ryder said when he caught my curious look as the bubbles floated up disturbing the watery surface.
“Oh!” I said, surprised.
“You think the humans have the only natural hot springs?”
“No, but I honestly didn’t expect to find one here.” But I was thrilled that he had. The little cove with the blood-sucking flowers was interesting, but this place looked safer.
“Darynda,” Ryder called to the group of girls walking by. When Darynda came up to us, he told her what I would need, and where to put up the tent. When she ran off to secure the items from the many packs that were laden on the wagons, he turned and grinned at me mischievously.
“I’ve seen that look before, Fairy,” I replied, while trying to keep the grin from spreading across my lips. “It always ends up with us and a bed.”
“Does it?” he asked as he pulled me closer to him. “It also ends up with you screaming my name as I make you come for me.”
I shivered deliciously. He had a point there. “We’re surrounded by people,” I pointed out.
“So we are. I fail to see what that has to do with what I intend to do with you,” he replied with an intensity that made me squirm.
“If you make me scream, everyone will hear us,” I hissed, as his lips tipped higher in the corners. “I’m serious, Fairy! You may not care if everyone hears you getting off, but I do!”
“So you don’t want them to hear me scream your name with passion?” he asked with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
“No, I don’t want them to hear us doing it!” I replied hastily as Ristan walked up to us.
“Doing what?” the Demon asked with a devilish grin on his lips.
“Nothing!” I almost screamed, but caught it, and it came out more as a strangled growl.
“Oookay! Someone is a little hormonal today,” Ristan said with a wide smile. “Ryder, your oasis awaits you.” He executed a slight bow before he took off again.
“It’s this way.” Ryder laughed as he pulled me toward where black curtains had been set up.