A Cast of Shadows: An Araneae Nation Story by Hailey Edwards

considered Errol a moment. “Do you two speak somehow?”
    He tapped the side of his head. “Mind to mind. There’s no need for words between us.”
    Unsure how I should reply to his outlandish claim, especially since it must be true, I latched on to a new topic. “I suppose it’s no coincidence that Errol requires those few days to recover?”
    “He hasn’t kept his title this long by being a fool.” Brynmor laughed. “Come on, brother.”
    His touch seemed more solid than it should have been. Errol leaned against Brynmor’s hand, and I envied their connection, strong despite how weak they both were. After a moment’s break, Errol shook out his matted fur. I stood back while the alpha strutted into his den without a wince.
    I was oddly proud of how well he managed. While Brynmor got him settled, I salvaged what parts of my net hadn’t been trampled. Now it required patch work before I could finish weaving.
    I should have been happy. It meant more time with Brynmor. But was that what he wanted?
    “Errol’s resting.” Brynmor braced a hand on my shoulder. “Are you all right?”
    “I’m hungry. I’m tired. I’ve seen more canis in the past few days than I have in a lifetime.” I dropped my face into my hands. “I met a male I would like to…” I shook my head. “I’m fine.”
    He took the scraps of silver mesh from my hands to inspect. “You don’t have to finish this.”
    Had I imagined the dismissal in his tone? “You paid me. I will honor our bargain.”
    “You saved Errol—and me. You’ve more than earned your baubles.”
    I watched him crumple the net in his hand. “If you’re sure…”
    “You’ve done so much for me already,” he said. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay.”
    “No.” If he heard the crack of my heart splitting, he gave no sign. “We wouldn’t want that.”
    He rubbed my shoulder. “I didn’t mean—”
    “I know.” He was being polite when I wanted…more. “I think I’d better gather my things.”
    I patted his hand once before walking from underneath it, out of reach, and into the forest.
    The river beckoned, and I was ready to let it wash away the hurt throbbing in my chest.
    I was ready to tell Brynmor goodbye.
     
    Only the pain resonating through his bond with Errol held Brynmor steady. Watching Daraja ease through the trees and vanish was enough to make him abandon his friend in pursuit of her.
    “I was right.” Errol’s mental voice was weak.
    “About?” His attention was centered on the gap in the foliage where Daraja had disappeared.
    “The female.” He laughed. “You still have her scent in your nose. You track her even now.”
    “I’m concerned for her.” Brynmor joined Errol in the den.
    “You covet her.” Errol rolled onto his side to witness the impact of his words.
    “I have nothing to offer her.” Sidling past him, Brynmor said, “No clan, no home, no name.”
    His laughter collapsed into a deep coughing fit. “What is a clan but family? Cannot the two of you create your own? What is a home but a sense of security? Must that be a fixed location?”
    “You made your point.” Brynmor shook his head. “Our circumstances aren’t so simple.”
    “You make what is simple difficult. The female has remained with you these past few days when most would have dismissed you as a dream, or as a nightmare. She is a huntress, yet she set aside her weapons in order to aid you—and the pack. Those are the actions of a female who has found her mate.” Errol sounded amused. “If you do not claim her soon, then she will leave.”
    “I know.” She was making plans already.
    “If you are content to age alongside me, then I have no complaints, though I do wish for you to meet a better end than your first. Your heart has had time to heal. Your pride is what stings at your wife’s betrayal.” His voice softened. “Life is fleeting. Losing Scipio taught me that lesson.”
    “You would have me break my vow to you? You would