"The food is ready."
Eyrx's deep voice cut through the silence of the cave, sending a shiver down Thalina's spine.
She peeked up from where she sat, still curled on the furs with Vanora snuggled in her arms.
Eyrx crouched by the fire pit, his red hair catching the faint glow of embers. The flames flickered weakly, like they, too, were afraid of him. The meat rested on a flat stone, charred in some places and suspiciously dry in others.
Thalina gulped.
Somehow, she already knew.
That food was going to be horrendous.
But she was hungry.
And she was not about to test this man's patience by refusing.
Slowly, carefully, she stood up, legs still a little wobbly. She approached with the same caution one would use when stepping around a wild, unpredictable beast. Because that was exactly what Eyrx was—unpredictable.
Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the food.
She took a bite.
And immediately regretted everything.
