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Kiva mulled over his response, unsurprised given what she’d seen of their interactions. “So, back to my question about Ashlyn...?”

Torell’s gaze became unfocused, a rare, goofy smile touching his lips. “She’s special.”

“Ugh, gag,” Cresta muttered, pressing harder on her whetstone, as if hoping the sound would drown out what she was hearing.

“No one asked you to join us,” Kiva told her.

“I’m here for the food,” Cresta said. “I didn’t think I’d have to endure whatever this is.”

“You’re just jealous that Tor’s not afraid to admit to his feelings,” Kiva said. “Unlike whatever the hell you and Caldon are doing.”

“There’s no fun in that,” Cresta returned, grinning. “Tor’s choice leads to long, sunset walks and chaste cheek-kisses. Mine leads to pent-up frustration and hot, steamy —”

“Gods, donotfinish that sentence,” Ashlyn groaned, appearing out of the darkness with Caldon at her side. He was chuckling and sent a wink toward Cresta, which she dutifully ignored, continuing to play their game.

Torell had stiffened beside Kiva, clearly anxious about how muchthe Vallentis siblings had heard. But when Ashlyn sat next to him and asked about one of the rebel attacks he’d secretly sabotaged, he relaxed again, answering her questions without hesitation.

Kiva marveled at them: two generals from opposing bloodlines who had managed to set aside their differences and develop feelings for each other. Because it wasn’t just Torell who was emotionally invested — the way Ashlyn was looking at him made it seem like he was the only person in the world. Or at least, inherworld.

“I hate them,” Caldon muttered as he dropped down on Kiva’s free side.

She didn’t even try to hide her smile. “You do not.”

He sighed. “Fine. I don’t. But do they have to be so mushy about it?”

“There’s a good ten inches of space between them,” Kiva said dryly, leaning forward to check the stew. “And they’re discussing fighting strategies. I’d hardly consider that mushy.”

“You forget, my sister has wind magic,” Caldon retorted. “All it would take is a flick of her hand and —whoosh— off come his clothes. You think I want to witness that? No, thank you.” He cocked his head and amended, “Well, actually, Ido,but only if —”

“We can hear you, asshole,” Ashlyn said, turning to scowl at him.

Cresta choked on a laugh, and Kiva was tempted to join her, if not for the unpleasant image Caldon had just inserted into her mind.

“Please don’t say something like that to me again,” Kiva begged.

“Or toanyone,” Ashlyn stated, still frowning at him. Her face then cleared, a mischievous look coming over her as she added, “But since you’re so curious, my magic doesn’tquitework like that. Clothes are tricky, with all those buckles and belts. I much prefer to use my hands so I can touch —”

“La-la-la,” Caldon interrupted, plugging his ears immaturely. “Not thinking about my sister and —”

“What in the everworld is going on over here?” Naari asked, joining them, with Eidran following close behind.

With a devilish grin toward Caldon, Cresta said, “We were just discussing the preferred method of —”

“Using magic,” Caldon interrupted firmly. “But now Kiva is going to tell us if the food is ready, and we’re going to eat. Insilence.”

Kiva patted his knee, biting back a laugh at his uncharacteristic show of discomfort. “The stew’s done,” she confirmed, standing. “I’ll go tell the others.”

As she walked away, she could have sworn she heard Caldon pleading, “Don’t leave me with these reprobates,” which only made her snicker into the darkness.

Carefully, she picked her way through the shrubs and date palms toward where they’d set up the temporary pen for the horses. Halfway there, she summoned her magic, delighted to discover that the glow illuminated her path enough to avoid tripping. Soon, however, it wasn’t needed, since Tipp and Galdric were using handheld luminium lanterns as they saw to Ashlyn’s and Caldon’s newly returned mounts. Spirit was already settled and happily munching on tufts of grass, while Caldon’s mare, Fury, was impatiently waiting for Galdric to complete her rubdown.

Looking toward Tipp, Kiva saw that he’d just finished cleaning their gear and was sorting everything into neat, efficient piles. Pride welled in her as she watched him meticulously check everything over before giving a nod of satisfaction. Only then did he turn and see her, his face brightening instantly.

“K-Kiva!” he greeted her, with a gap-toothed smile. “You were r-right about that p-poultice — Whistlefoot’s swelling is a-almost completely g-g-gone!”

She returned his smile, not sharing that she’d hadno ideaif atreatment intended for humans would work on his beloved pony, but pleased for him nonetheless.

“Dinner’s ready,” she said. “I added extra collis bulbs, just for you.”