Page 82 of His Claim

Sometimes Varek would point out old markers—a carved stone, a rusted sign half-swallowed by vines—that hinted at a civilization long gone. Other times, we simply walked in silence, saving our breath for the climb.

By afternoon, the forest began to thin. The path opened into a wide clearing framed by tall cliffs, and the smell of smoke drifted faintly on the air.

Varek stopped, lifting his head to test the wind. “Do you smell that?”

I nodded, my heart skipping. “Campfire.”

He gave a single, curt nod and motioned for me to stay close. We followed the scent through a narrow pass that cut between two ridges. The stone walls funneled the sound of distant voices, low and cautious. My pulse picked up.

When we rounded the final bend, the sight stopped me cold.

An encampment was waiting for me there, nestled against the cliff side, hidden from above by trees and stone. Makeshift tents and supply crates formed a rough circle around a central fire pit. And around that fire stood faces I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Kendra.

Lia.

My breath caught in my throat. They turned at the sound of our approach, disbelief giving way to wide smiles and watery eyes.

“Mariah!”

Kendra was the first to reach me, nearly knocking the wind out of me with the force of her hug. Lia wasn’t far behind, laughingand crying at once, clutching at my arms like she needed to make sure I was real.

“You’re alive,” Kendra said, her voice breaking.

“Barely,” I managed, laughing through my tears. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you both.”

“I thought you were gone,” Lia whispered against my shoulder. “After they took you…”

“I thoughtyouwere gone,” I said, pulling back to look at her. “Both of you. Every night I prayed you’d made it out.”

Kendra wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand, then grinned through her tears. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Varek had hung back, letting us have our reunion. He stood near the fire, arms crossed loosely, his expression soft in a way that made my chest ache.

“This is Varek,” I said. “He’s… he’s the reason I’m standing here.”

Kendra’s eyebrows arched, a grin tugging at her lips. “Oh, we know him. So, he’s the reason, huh?” She winked at me, and I blushed.

“Behave,” Lia said, swatting her arm, but she was smiling too.

Before I could answer, movement at the fire drew our attention. Two tall men approached, their presence shifting the air in the clearing, and we moved closer to meet them near the warmth of the blaze. They carried themselves like leaders—powerful, their eyes intelligent and knowing, even in the half-light.

One had hair dark as obsidian. The other was broader, his jaw set, but his eyes warmer, flicking between Varek and me with a cautious curiosity.

“Commander,” the dark-haired one said, nodding toward Varek. “Didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

“Found what I was looking for much sooner than I expected,” Varek replied evenly. “Rowan.” He inclined his head to the other. “Silas.”

“Mariah,” Rowan said, extending a hand to me. His voice carried a trace of old military discipline. “I’m Rowan. Kendra’s told me a lot about you.”

“I’ve heard a few things about you too,” I said, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, but not overbearing. He smelled faintly of cold iron and cedar.

He smirked slightly. “All good things, I hope.”

“Mostly, if Varek was telling the truth,” Kendra teased, nudging him. “Depends on the day.”

A deep chuckle rumbled from Silas as he moved closer to Lia. “He’s just being modest.”