Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles Book 1) (49 page)

Kyrin let out a breathy laugh that bubbled up with her nerves. “I’m used to that.”

She held his probing gaze steadily despite the urge to shrink away. She had to convince him that she didn’t share the same fear as the others. It was the first crucial step in earning his trust. He glanced past her, toward camp, before staring at her again. A storm of emotions flickered in his eyes. With a wince, he shook his head and muttered, “Fine.”

Kyrin’s heart gave a stuttering leap.
Thank You, Elôm!

Without another word, Jace strode away as if to put more distance between them. Kyrin hurried to catch up. Whatever the rest of the day brought, at least she had made it this far.

Kyrin’s foot snagged on a branch, and she gasped when she nearly fell…again. Panting, she glanced ahead to make sure she hadn’t lost sight of Jace. How did someone his size move with such ease through the tangle of underbrush? He barely even made a sound and didn’t say a word. She may as well have been out here alone.

She tugged on her sweat-soaked dress and pressed forward. The chill of dawn completely disappeared as the sun worked its way above the trees. But she wouldn’t complain. She wouldn’t even allow the temptation in her mind for more than a moment. Not after what it took to get here, though it didn’t seem to be accomplishing much good
at the moment. Did Jace even remember she’d tagged along?

Without warning, he stopped, and she nearly smacked into his back. She stumbled away with another gasp and looked up as he turned piercing blue eyes on her. Though they had to have come miles already, she asked, “Are we going to keep on?”

She hoped to sound willing, but her voice came out winded. So much for being in good shape. This was much more taxing than wandering the streets of Valcré. Jace stared at her for a good, long moment—something she would have to get used to. She tried to read his expression, but he made it difficult by so skillfully guarding his emotions. He stared at her the way Master Zocar did when trying to figure her out.

“We’ll rest here.”

Kyrin could have jumped for joy had her legs cooperated. They just about collapsed of their own volition, and she sank into the grass and old leaves. Grabbing her waterskin, she took a long drink. Though distracted by the relief, she felt Jace still watching her, but then he sat down a few feet away. A moment later, he dug around in his bag and surprised Kyrin by offering her a piece of jerky.

“Thank you,” she said, “but why don’t you eat it?” She smiled and pulled a pouch containing her lunch off her shoulder. “I came prepared.”

Jace’s eyes widened the tiniest bit, perhaps in surprise, but he didn’t look at her long enough for her to be sure. He took a bite of the jerky and fed the rest to Tyra. No wonder he was so thin. The wolf probably ate more of his food than he did.

Kyrin ate her lunch in silence, while discreetly watching Jace, who stared off into the forest, never once relaxing. She didn’t even taste her food as she racked her brain for the perfect thing to say to him. In fact, she begged Elôm for the right words, but nothing came. Why couldn’t Kaden be there? He’d think of something.

The moment she finished her last bite, Jace pushed to his feet. Kyrin jumped up to follow him, and off they went again. As before, Jace quickly worked his way ahead and left her to trip and stumble after him. A branch slapped her in the face and tears seared her eyes, but more from frustration than pain. How did she ever think she could do this? Did Elôm even want her to, or had she just made herself think so? Because she was doing a terrible job of it. What would it benefit if she only managed to be a dead weight for Jace to drag around all day? She couldn’t even find a single word to say to him during lunch, probably her one chance at speaking to him at all. Just like with Daniel, she’d failed at her opportunity.

Sometime later, Jace heaved a sigh and stopped again. She tried to catch her breath as she waited for him to either turn around or continue on, but finally he turned to her with in intimidating frown.

“I don’t think we’re going to see anything if you can’t walk more quietly.” Though he spoke evenly, frustration bled out through his voice.

Kyrin ducked her head, cheeks flaming. “Sorry.”

Really, she had tried to be quiet, but there always seemed to be a stick or dry leaves to crunch under her feet and branches to snap and crash when she pushed through them. Tears threatened again, but she swallowed them back. She would not get teary in front of him. She’d ruined things enough without turning into an unskilled, noisy,
and
weepy girl.

Jace sighed again and stuck his fists on his hips. He frowned into the forest, which was void of even the hint of game, no doubt ruing the moment he’d allowed her to come along. Kyrin shifted and stared awkwardly at a nearby trillium. When Jace did look at her again, his expression had softened a little.

“When you walk, put your heel down first, carefully. Then shift your weight forward, but on the outside of your foot.”

Kyrin looked at her feet. She took an experimental step. “Like this?”

She glanced up, and he nodded.

She took a few more steps. It seemed unnatural and put her off balance, but with time and practice, she could get the hang of it.

“Always scan the terrain to see what’s ahead,” he told her. “Take advantage of large rocks and bare ground.”

They moved along a short distance. Kyrin was quieter, but not nearly
so much as Jace. He glanced over his shoulder.

“Softer boots would help. It’s better when you can feel what you’re walking on.”

She glanced at his well-worn, soft leather boots. Maybe Trask could find her a similar pair.

For the rest of the afternoon, Kyrin practiced the new walking technique with nominal success. Focusing on every step, she fell far behind, forcing Jace to wait for her; but when she tried to keep up, quietness was impossible. By the time the
sun set, her head throbbed and her legs burned. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but this wasn’t it.

Though she was never even aware they had made a direction change, they suddenly arrived in camp, where the men were just gathering for supper. The smell of it made Kyrin’s mouth water and her stomach growl. She moved toward the fire, aching to sit down, but Jace hung back. She paused and turned to him. Careful to keep any frustration out of her voice, she said, “Thanks for teaching me about walking today. I’ll keep practicing.”

Jace said nothing, and Kyrin did not linger. He was probably eager to be rid of her. At the fire, she met Lenae.

“How did it go?” The woman studied her face. “You look worn-out.”

Kyrin exhaled loudly. “It would’ve gone better if my crashing through the forest wouldn’t have scared all the game away. Turns out I’m not a very stealthy hunter.”

Lenae gave her a sympathetic smile. “These things take practice. I’m sure you’ll be better next time.”

If there was a next time.

D
espite the disaster of the previous day, Kyrin waited outside the cabin before dawn the next morning. She’d dragged herself out of bed, aching from the miles she’d traveled, but she wouldn’t give up. Not as long as Jace let her join him.
If
he let her join him.

She peered into the trees where he had appeared yesterday, but nothing moved in the last bit of nighttime darkness. Only a slight breeze rustled the trees, not that she would have heard him coming anyway. After another few minutes, a bird chirped nearby, and others soon joined in as the sky
glowed pink in the east. Kyrin’s expectation rose, but sank again when the other men woke and one by one left their tents to start the day. Jace would never show up now. With a heavy sigh, she turned and stepped quietly back into the cabin. She couldn’t blame him. She had proven to be a liability, but defeat stung.

Kyrin returned her bow to her room in the loft and spent a little time there to pray before joining Lenae, who had begun work on breakfast.

“No hunting today?” she asked.

“He didn’t come by this morning. He probably knew I’d be waiting for him. I don’t know what I’ll do now.”

“Don’t get discouraged just yet,” Lenae comforted. “You may get another chance.”

“I hope so.” Kyrin walked over to the shelf to measure out coffee for the pot. Jeremy loved his morning coffee. “I still want to help him.”

“Give him a little time. I think he’ll eventually see that.”

Kyrin looked over at her. If only she didn’t feel like such a failure already. “Do you really think I can get through to him?”

“You?” Lenae shook her head. “No. But Elôm? Yes. And it just might be you’re the one He uses. It may take days, weeks, or even months, but be patient and don’t give up. It was a big step that he even let you go with him yesterday.”

The encouraging words brought a smile to Kyrin’s lips. It might not feel like much of a step, but Lenae was right, and she prayed for patience and perseverance.

Kyrin kept a close watch for Jace throughout the morning, just in case he showed up, though she didn’t know what she would say to him if he did. But she trusted that Elôm would work something out. At least she could be one person to make him feel welcome and offer him friendship.

Just after lunch, she headed toward the edge of camp, but a voice called out to stop her. She turned to see Holden and frowned. She knew little about him since he kept to himself, but he was the one who had started the hostility toward Jace. Regardless of his reasons, it made it difficult for her to like him. Still, she tried not to pass judgment before she had a chance to get to know him.

“Yes?” she asked, her eyes following the determined lines in his face. His voice was just as unyielding.

“Where were you yesterday?”

Kyrin’s frown deepened, wondering why it was any of his business, but she answered simply, “I was out hunting. With Jace.”

“Alone?” His blue-gray eyes resembled Ardaluin Bay when a storm approached. Kyrin nodded, and he asked, “You’re not going again, are you?”

“Maybe, if he’ll take me.”

Holden’s sharp gaze flickered to the trees as if expecting a monster to emerge from them. “You can’t do that. It’s dangerous.”

Kyrin shook her head. “I know how you feel about Jace, but I don’t believe he’s dangerous.”