Page 58 of Venomous Heart
They’d had to abandon the transport a while back to avoid detection. There was no telling who could be watching, especially since this was the location where Arlen’s past reconnaissance teams had gone missing. Ava had agreed when Arlen declared they had to leave the transport behind and climb the mountain on foot, but now she was beginning to regret it.
There was no turning back now, though.
She had also entrusted him with the geographic coordinates before they’d even abandoned the transport vehicle. She didn’t know why, but she just knew he wouldn’t betray her trust. That didn’t mean he was any easier to follow.
She focused her attention on Arlen’s broad back. He was climbing over the slippery ground in long, confident strides, never hesitating, never wavering, sure of both himself and the direction they were taking. The Eok showed no signs of fatigue even as she was about to collapse in a defeated heap. She shouldn’t be surprised, she knew the basics of Eok physiology, but she was shocked anyway.
For how long could he go on like that? Much longer than she could, that was for sure.
The wind blew, freezing cold and harsh over the naked skin of her arms, penetrating the light cotton fabric of her uniform. Her teeth chattered, and not for the first time, Ava clenched her jaw so hard to it hurt to prevent the noise from reaching Arlen’s superior Eok hearing.
This time, she must not have been fast enough though. Arlen stopped walking and turned around.
“You’ve been shivering for over two hours now. We need to stop and warm you up.”
Ava stifled her little snort of annoyance at the knowledge that despite her best efforts, he had been aware that she was only getting colder.
“No,” she lied as a deep shiver wracked her body and her teeth chattered so hard, she bit her tongue. Blood pearled inside her mouth but she shook her head. “We’re too exposed here. Maybe nearer the top, we’ll find shelter.”
Arlen watched her, a dubious, unhappy expression on his face. Ava knew she couldn’t go much farther, and obviously he knew it too. The long, exhausting walk was too much for her, but it was hypothermia that was her true enemy. Her cotton clothing had been wet when they’d started their walk, and with the sun coming down, the temperature was growing frigid so high up on the mountain.
“We have at least another two hours until we reach the top—three at your pace.” Arlen shook his head. “You can’t last that long.”
Ava’s shoulders slumped at Arlen’s words. He was right; she couldn’t last three hours. She couldn’t even last one more. As her mind formulated the thought, it was like a dam breaking. All the fear and exhaustion washed over her at once and she wobbled and reached for a nearby tree, bracing herself against the large trunk.
Strong arms closed around her, preventing her from falling. The next instant, she found herself cradled against the warmth of Arlen’s chest.
“Don’t fight me, Ava.” He spoke without looking at her as he resumed his fast pace up the mountainside. “My body will keep you warm until I can build a proper fire.”
Maybe he kept talking after that, maybe he didn’t. Ava didn’t care. As her cheek came to rest against the strangely soft grain of his skin, his warmth enclosed her, dulling her mind into a gray blur. She knew he was still moving and she tried to stay alert, to help him stay on course, but her eyes kept closing.
Soon, they refused to open.
She was floating within Arlen’s scent, in Arlen’s warmth. Dreams filled her exhausted slumber, dreams made of hard flesh and forbidden things. Time was lost as Ava embraced the blessed darkness.
Then a delicious smell entered her nostrils, and she blinked. Her back was cold, but her entire front basked in enough warmth to make her comfortable. She blinked and stared, confused, at the dance of golden light on a rough stone ceiling. She turned around and saw she was lying on a thick cover of dry leaves beneath a wide piece of black leather.
Arlen’s vest.
A fire was glowing two feet from where she slept and over it, two large, bird-looking creatures were roasting on a spit. Her eyes locked with two pale blue circles reflecting the low light on the other side of the fire. Arlen was staring at her as she straightened up while he tended to the food.
“What is this?” She rubbed her temple and smacked her lips. Her stomach came roaring to life as the smell of food became stronger as Arlen rotated the birds over the flames. “Where are we?”
“I found a cave on the top north side of the mountain.” Arlen’s voice was gruff, but there was no anger in it.
“You found it?” Ava chuckled incredulously. “How?”
“An Eok warrior’s training is more than just weapons and fighting skills. Survival in any environment is integral part of what makes an Eok who he is. Finding the smell of a cave is not that hard when you know what to look for.”
The answer wasn’t really an answer, but Ava had nothing to counter, so she didn’t. Instead her eyes went to the plump bird creatures roasting in front of her.
“How did you find these?”
“There’s plenty of game in these woods.” The corner of Arlen’s mouth lifted and the smile made his face softer in the light of the fire. “When you know how to hunt it.”
“And you do know, Mister Big-Blue-And-Mighty, don’t you?”
“I do.” Arlen chuckled and something between them lifted. Something that had been heavy and oppressive, but somehow, in this dark, cold cave, it was gone. They could just be together. Even the silence didn’t feel heavy, it just felt comfortable.
