Page 65 of Unleashed

Balir opened the bag containing their food and withdrew a strip of dried meat. “Pleasantly so in here, but it will be withering heat once we enter that sun.”

Vortok turned away from the opening, his hooves thumping on the cave floor as he walked over and sat beside Balir. “Can a land like this truly exist without water?”

“So say the tales.” Balir turned his head toward Nina and frowned. The valos could still know thirst, could still be maddened by it, but it would not kill them as it would her. “We will need to refill the waterskins from the other side of the cave before we venture beyond this point.”

He tore off a chunk of meat with his teeth and chewed. It was tough and flavorless to him now, and he knew it was because of his beast’s cravings.

Aduun joined them, sitting at Nina’s other side. Balir pulled out two more strips of meat, passing one to Vortok and the other to Aduun.

“This is all meant as punishment forus,” Aduun said, “but thus far, she is the one to have truly suffered.”

Balir settled his hand lightly over hers. “She was never supposed to be here.”

“Would you have it any other way, now that we’ve had her?” Aduun asked. “Can you imagine being without her?”

“No, I cannot imagine it.”

“If I could change things, I would make sure she never fell into my cage,” Vortok said. The words sparked Balir’s beast; it reacted as though he’d threatened to take her away, to steal its mate. “Our freedom is not worth her suffering. She should not be the one to pay the price.”

Nina’s fingers twitched beneath Balir’s hand.

“Wouldn’t…change a thing,” she said quietly.

Balir’s attention snapped back to her, his breath catching in his throat. She turned her hand and laced her fingers with his.

“You’re worth it. All of you are,” she said.

The tightness in Balir’s chest wasn’t worry or fear now, wasn’t rage or possessiveness. It was relief; overwhelming, all-encompassing relief. And something more, something even stronger.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead. The sweetness of her skin mingled with the saltiness of her sweat on his tongue.

“How do you feel?” Vortok asked. His hooves scraped the stone floor as he moved closer.

“My shoulder burns, but I think I’m okay. Just…hot, and my stomach is a little unsettled.” She reached out with her other hand and touched Vortok’s arm. “What about you? I know that thing got you too.”

“My backside stings a little, but I’m well enough. I will not let a worm prevent me from sitting down.”

“You should try to drink if you can,” Aduun said, and the sloshing of water told Balir he had one of the skins in his hand. “We will take as much time as you need to recover.”

There was silence for a moment. Balir frowned.

“I am a burden to you,” she said. “If not for me, you—”

“Would still be caged,” Balir interrupted, “as we’ve said. You are the one who released us.”

“You are the one who guides us,” Vortok added.

“And you are the one who is holding us together,” Aduun finished.

Balir covered her cheek with his palm, only to draw his hand away when he found moisture there. He lifted a finger to his mouth and touched his tongue to it; the water was salty, but not like her sweat. It was her tears.

Nina staredup into three concerned faces, and her heart constricted. Other than her parents, no one had ever looked at her like this. No one else had ever cared. The woman who gave birth to her had treated Nina with contempt from the beginning, and though Miss Dana had been kind, she’d only helped due to a sense of guilt — something Nina hadn’t understood as a child.

That these valos had come to care for her so much when only days ago they’d suspected her of being in league with Kelsharn was overwhelming.

“What is wrong?” Balir asked.

“I wish I was stronger.” Nina sniffled, wiping her cheeks. “That I wasn’t such a…a coward. Maybe then I could have used my abilities better, or controlled them, but I’ve always hidden myself away from everyone. And now…” She turned her face away from Balir, wanting nothing more than to hide even though he couldn’t see her, but it only brought Aduun into view. His penetrating eyes struck deep. “I’m just holding you back.”

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