“You do not trust me enough to say.”
“Look at it this way—” she began with a toss of her head. “I trust you a hell of a lot more than I’ve ever trusted any g’hir.” Her throat tightened. “Just believe me when I say I have to get back there in seven days. No matter what it takes.”
“I will take you to the Erah clanhall,” he promised. “I will see to it that you can make your plea to my father.”
“But—will he help me get home? Get home in time?”
“I do not know,” Ke’lar said quietly. “My father is a good man, a fair and compassionate ruler. I know he will do what is right.”
It sure wasn’t much, but at least it was something. At least he wasn’t sending her back to Ar’ar.
Still—
“How long will it take us to get to the Erah clanhall? I don’t have a lot of time.”
He considered. “Three days, at least.”
“Three days! Isn’t there a faster way?”
He shook his head. “I cannot allow the Betari proof of your presence in our territory, not until we have reached the stronghold of our clanhall, not until we have spoken to my father. We must go deeper into Erah lands first to avoid the places where our territories touch those of the Betari, then we will head south to the clanhall. To do this—to keep you safely from their sight—will add a day to our travels. I have only one mount and she must carry the supplies of the camp, as well as us. We can only push her so hard for so long. She will need the nights to rest.” He glanced toward the shelter’s opening, to the moonlight brightening the landscape beyond. “It is late but I think she will be able to carry us a few hours tonight. The sooner we are away from the border of their lands, the safer we will be.”
Sure wasn’t what she’d hoped for, but riding with him on a multari was going to be a hell of a lot faster than trying to get anywhere alone on foot. And there was a chance, maybe even a good one, that she could convince Ke’lar’s father to intervene on her behalf, to get her home in time . . .
“Okay.” She gave a nod. “What can I do to help?”
“Stay out of my way,” he said bluntly. “I can break camp faster if I work alone. I will begin by saddling the multari and getting her ready to load our supplies.” He glanced at her. “You said you had other clothes. You can get dressed.”
Summer’s face went hot. She’d almost forgotten that she was still sitting here in just a towel.
“Right,” she mumbled. “Uh, my boots and my other clothes are still out on that rock—”
“I will tend to your clothes but you should not wear the boots until the medpatches have had some time to repair the injuries to your feet. ” He started pulling things from where they hung about the shelter, pulling packs and supplies together. “We will likely travel hours before I judge it is safe to rest in any case.”
He offered her the pack she’d brought with her, still covered with dried mud. “Empty this and I will clean it as well.”
She reached out to take the bag but he kept hold of it and, confused, she met his eyes.
“Do not underestimate the risks we take,” he growled. “The enmity between our clans is ancient and runs very deep. Despite the treaty that forbids their trespass into Erah territory I do not trust the Betari not to breach our borders in search of you. If we do not reach the Erah clanhall and the protection of my clanbrothers—if they find you with me, the Betari will be incensed; they will accuse me—and with good cause—of stealing you. It will give them every right by law to invade our territory, exact revenge, and take you back by force.”
Summer’s mouth tightened. “I don’t suppose anyone will even stop to consider that I might have a say in this.”
A flash of . . . something passed over his features, gone so fast that she, who had so little experience with their species, couldn’t begin to discern it.
“They must not find us,” he continued. “And if we are to succeed, if we are to reach the Erah clanhall, you must vow to follow my orders at all times. You must obey me instantly, without question.”
“Like a slave? Like a good g’hir mate?”
“Like one who is wholly unfamiliar with the wilderness of Hir,” he said, annoyed. “If a fethon slithers within inches of you I cannot take the time to formally ask that you hold still before I shoot it. If I ask you to stop, you will stop. If I say run, you will run. Are we agreed? Or shall we pass the night here so that you may think on it till morning?”