After packing up camp, we set back out, keeping the horses to a slow trot. Sani and Avian took the lead, riding three arrows ahead of Kiri, who slouched so much I thought she would fall from the saddle. She had attempted to skip the negative aftereffects of the human blood by not sleeping, but ended up just adding exhaustion to her headache and nausea.

  I stayed behind her, far enough away not to confuse the horse, but close enough so I could react if her condition worsened. When not watching her, I scanned the surrounding trees, seeing if I could spot Haro. He preferred to move through the woods by himself instead of joining us. Despite being the biggest and strongest member of the group, he traveled silently while keeping up with the horses.

  By my best estimate, we would need to camp one more night before reaching Cusi. Our slow pace gave us a chance to rest and let us hide well deep in the trees. But I worried that a fast rider could have left Palla Cahua after us and still arrive before we do. We had many enemies and few friends, so any unexpected arrivals were likely to worsen our situation.

  I glanced at Kiri, wanting to ask her opinion about circumventing Cusi and heading right to Norfield, but she was in no condition for such a conversation.

  We sat around the fire, cooking the squirrels that Sani had hunted. Unlike our first night, we didn’t have a valley to camp in, so we kept the fire much smaller. I had to sit close and lean practically over the flames to warm my hands.

  Sani circled the camp, shifting his gaze from us to the dark forest. I wasn’t sure if he was keeping watch or looking for Haro, who preferred being away from the fire.

  I asked, “Does anyone else think it might be wise to skip Cusi and head right to Norfield?”

  Kiri said, “I was thinking about the same thing earlier. Without Yori escorting us, we can’t be sure what we’re walking into.”

  Avian stared into the fire as she spoke. “We haven’t the gear to travel to Norfield. The descent is steep in places, and the terrain rocky.”

  I thought for a moment. “Perhaps we should split up. Two of us can gather supplies in Cusi, while the others hunker outside and keep watch, making sure none of our enemies travel behind us.”

  “That could be a smart move.” Avian paused. “I doubt a fidi or human will receive a warm reception.”

  Kiri peered at me, “We can go inside. As long as they stay close to the gates, I’ll be able to communicate with them through Haro.”

  I stared at the sparse flames and nodded. While Haro can easily pass information to Kiri, it would be harder for us to pass information to Avian and Sani through Haro, as he doesn’t speak, nor has he formed a connection to anyone in the group besides Kiri.

  Avian asked, “Will the fire be sufficient to keep you warm in your tent?”

  “I’m sure he’d rather you keep him warm. There’s room in there for two.” Kiri giggled, but stopped abruptly, grabbing her head and closing her eyes. The aftereffects of the blood were worse this time.

  Avian glanced at Kiri, then turned her focus on me. ”I won’t be much help, fidi bodies don’t create heat like yaksha do. I’m not sure about elves, but I know humans have that ability. Perhaps Sani will join you.”

  Sani’s eyes widened, and he glanced around, as if hearing his name but not paying attention to the full conversation.

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  “That won’t be necessary. The talc stones will do their job.” I shook my head. “Kiri was just making a joke.”

  “I don’t understand what part is funny. Is it the thought of Tye freezing to death?” She raised her eyebrows, “Or is it a joke about fidi, implying that we are inferior because we lack the ability to generate body heat?”

  “Neither.” Kiri smiled. “I was making light of the incident earlier, when you were bathing.”

  “Ah.” Avian nodded. “You made the assumption that since Tye wanted to copulate with me, he would desire the opportunity to coerce me into his tent, so he could make an additional attempt.”

  “I wasn’t...” My face heated up as frustration and embarrassment battled to rush blood to the surface of my cheeks. “All I wanted to do was make sure Avian wasn’t meeting with Bedri. I was not trying to watch her bathe, and I in no way wanted to copulate with her. Hell, until I saw her nude, I didn’t know if it was even possible.”

  “So, you got a good look then.” Kiri stifled a chuckle and closed her eyes.

  Avian glared at me. “You followed me because you didn’t trust me?” She crossed her arms.

  “I never said that.” I locked eyes with her. “But you were whispering with him and didn’t want to tell us what it pertained to.”

  “Because it was Rasmun business. It had nothing to do with our mission, nor will it affect you.” Avian stood up. “I thought we had grown friendly, but I should have realized that you only brought me on your voyage because of your agreement with Layla.”

  “You’re part of the team. I should have come to you with my concerns instead of spying on you.”

  She walked away, heading toward the forest.

  “I shall talk to her.” Sani stood and walked after her.

  “Thanks, Kiri,” I said, not looking over at her.

  Her shoulders slumped. “I was just picking on you. I didn’t think it would lead to that.” She was quiet for a moment. “If I’m being honest, part of me really thought you were interested in her in such a manner.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “She said she could smell the change inside you when you saw her. I also sensed a change in you. I can’t smell it like she can, but I’ve learned to recognize when a yaksha is interested romantically.”

  “The reaction from within my body is involuntary. It’s a response to a stimulus. It doesn’t mean anything beyond that.” I thought for a moment. “Why would it bother you if I was interested in her?”

  Her face turned red. “It wouldn’t.” She shook her head and averted her gaze. “You can like who you want to like. It matters not to me.”

  Sani walked back into camp. “She wants to be alone.”

  Kiri glanced at me. “Will you sneak out there and see what she’s doing?”

  I rolled my eyes. “You look tired. Why don’t you go to sleep early.”

  Sani took the seat next to Kiri. She glanced at him. “Can you sit somewhere else?” She pointed to a large stone on the other side of the fire. “Perhaps all the way over there?”

  He stood up and started moving. “I’m sorry if I invaded your space.”

  I peered at Kiri, trying to understand why she was upset with Sani.

  “Stop looking at me like that,” she said. “My desire for human blood is very strong right now. I crave it in a way that scares me. I can’t promise I won’t bite him if he stays close for too long.”

  During the watch, I again went out to practice spellcrafting. Having just enough ingredients to create two more healing spells, I didn’t want to chance contaminating them. I built my table further from the fire, making sure no ash traveled the distance. I also ensured nothing but open sky was above me. Finally, before mixing, I used a broom crafted from a branch and small twigs to clean the surface of the table.

  As I stirred and chanted, the cold of night seeped into my bones, making me shiver. By the time I poured the powder and water into the second vial, my teeth began chattering.

  Avian’s voice startled me. “You should warm by the fire before you clean up.”

  “How do you keep sneaking up on me?” I corked the vial. “You almost made me spill this.”

  “You must learn to pay attention to your surroundings even as you concentrate on your spell.” Her face was expressionless.

  I peered at her, trying to figure out if she was still upset. “I’m sorry for not trusting you.”

  She nodded. “I understand. You haven’t been around fidi very often, and I have a relationship with the Rasmun. I can see how seeds of doubt were planted.”

  I walked past her and stopped at the fire, first warming my hands, then turning to face Avian as I let the flames warm my back. “You have been a valuable member of this team. We wouldn’t be where we are without you.”

  Her tongue flicked from her mouth long enough for her to smell the air around her. “You need your sleep, and it appears your talc stones are warmed. I will pack up your table for you.”

  I studied her for a moment, trying to determine if she could smell something inside me that allowed her to gauge whether I told the truth. While I never heard of a fidi having such an ability, there was much I didn’t know about the world outside of Mallma. “I appreciate your assistance.” I locked eyes with her. “In the future, when you need time alone, I shall give it without question.”