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“Ride alongside her.”

“Already am.”

“Thank you.”

The passage opens back up, and a few beams of dusky light filter into the cavernous space from holes in the rock above. I wrap my cloak tighter around myself, warding off the deeper chill from above. We’re already out of the terminix by the way the sky looks. That’s good.

Taking the kyril was the best move, even if it means a bit more work. They require more water, so we had to slightly alter the route to stay near the underground rivers, but that also means we’ll have access to several hot springs to bathe in, including at the camp tonight. Even though it’s not a direct route, it’s still quicker than taking the direct route on foot.

I move into a quick jog. Physical activity will help the toxin burn through my system quicker. It’ll also ward off the damn chill settling into my bones.

* * *

By the time I get to camp, Las has a fire going beneath a natural vent in the ceiling of the cave. The sound of the icy underground river fills the space as it flows past the rocky shore. All of the kyril are tied up with easy access to the river when they need a drink. Luckily, they can go for days without food, so we didn’t have to pack them anything. They’ll take turns lying down and resting until we saddle them back up in the morning.

Hyva glances up when he hears my footsteps approaching. He points to the spot beside him and opens his medical bag.

“You smell awful,” he says as I sit down beside him.

“Killing an ursax with your bare hands will do that.”

His lip curls in distaste. “Let me see your arm.”

I unclip my cloak and pull off my shirt. Three deep cuts cross my bicep, oozing green puss from the toxin. I glance around as Hyva begins to clean the lacerations.

“Where are Neev and Vynia?”

“In the hot springs. Neev could barely walk when she got off Nebula.” He dumps antiseptic over the wound. “I was just looking for the muscle relaxing balm to give her when you showed up. Hopefully between relaxing in the hot water and the balm her muscles won’t hold on to any stiffness.”

My arm burns as he dumps another round of antiseptics onto the cuts. I wince when he presses the sides of one of the wounds together, pushing the puss out. He takes a swab and removes the toxin. The process is repeated two more times until my arm tingles painfully from the final cream he rubs over the wounds.

“I’m not going to close them up just in case more of the puss needs to weep out.” He scoots away from me and gathers the trash, putting it into a refuse bag and rolling it up tightly. “You can get it wet, the cream I added at the end acts as a sealant.”

“Thank you.” I extend my hands toward the fire. “Was your ride here uneventful?”

“Yes. We didn’t encounter or even see signs of anything on the way here. At least not since the cave with all the bones.” He shivers in disgust.

Now that Neev isn’t here, I need to ask him about that. “Were those Zeahirian bones?”

“Yes. Some of them. I know I saw several skulls that could only be Zeahirian because of the retractable fangs.”

“Do you think it was an ursax den?”

“If it was, there had to be more than one of them living there.”

I came to the same conclusion, unfortunately. I’m just hoping that I didn’t kill a member of the pack. They won’t take kindly to it, and I definitely don’t want a pack of ursax hunting us.

I reach out mind to mind to Vynia.“Are you two okay?”

“We’re fine. Just enjoying the hot springs after a long day’s ride.”

“Stay with Neev while I get my part of camp set up. Then I want privacy with her.”

“Will do, Commander.”

I ignore her sass as I lay out my sleeping roll and grab a clean change of clothing. I need to hold my mate. To make sure she’s safe and in one piece. Grabbing a change of clothes, I head off in the direction of the springs which are tucked back in a small grotto hidden from the riverbank.

The sound of female laughter hits my ears as a welcome sound. I’ve never been happier to have Vynia play such a vital role in my crew and personal life. It would be so much more difficult for Neev if she didn’t have the female camaraderie, especially if she decides to stay permanently.