Once again, there was no pitying sympathy in her expression, just empathy. Was it being a healer that made her so comfortable holding space for others, witnessing the harshness of life?
“Thunderstorms.” That confirmed why she’d startled earlier.
“Yes.” She patted the bed.
He gave in, sliding in beside her.
“The night I used my magic for the first time, I was out in the forest during a really bad thunderstorm. The rain had already passed over that particular clearing, but in the valley of the mountain, it echoed for hours as the storm went on.” She shuddered, taking a deep breath. “It was the night my mother died. She was an amazing warrior.”
He wanted to wrap her in a hug but struggled with his own volatile emotions still. Reaching over, he took her hand instead and laced their fingers together. A painful silence settled between them for a moment.
“Do you have a hard time working with the warriors, if that is what she was?”
“Honestly?” Weary eyes met his, and he waited for her to continue. “It’s hardest for me to be at the Refugee Center. My mother was a lot more than a warrior. She was their champion. A leader of the refugee programandthe Lightning Forces. Everyone respected her—warriors, council members, everyone. Connor took up her sword and followed after her.”
“And your sister?”
The ghost of a smile graced Celina’s lips. “My sister wants to rule the world. Or at least our corner of it.”
Her amused tone chased away another bit of his tension. “And you?”
“I’m just a healer.” Celina swallowed hard. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“You’re notjustanything, Celina. You’re more.”
“Except I don’t want the legacy that should be mine,” she whispered. It rang like a confession, her voice betraying more emotion than he’d ever heard from her, even when she’d begged him to help her find her brother. “It should have been hers, but I couldn’t save her. She was too badly injured, and I didn’t have enough magic, or experience, to save them both. So, I did what she would have done, hadalreadydone that night. I saved the refugee who was being hunted. The child she died protecting. I saved Sam.”
Rodric’s heart twisted at the pain emanating from her, and he pulled her onto his chest so he could hold her close. His mind reeled as it caught up with his heart, playing her words over as he stroked her hair. She and her mother had both saved Sam, just as he had. Linked without even knowing it all these years.
“The program means everything to me, because of what it meant to her. But I can’t…” Celina stuttered, a tear hitting his chest. “Ithurts, to be immersed in it.”
“I understand that, more than you know.” Their mothers, his sister, Damien, all died fighting for something they were both afraid of. She hadn’t run as he had, but they shared grief and pain that had kept them from pursuing certain things.
“My best friend’s name was Damien.” Rodric’s throat tightened, the ravaging emotions tearing at him again. “He died in my arms. Indirectly, because of magic. Damien’s family was involved with a magic activist group, and the community turned on them. It’s… part of why I despise magic so much. It destroyed my family, and Damien’s.”
Celina’s arm tightened around his waist and she pressed a kiss to his chest. He let out a shaky breath and wrapped his arms fully around her, pressing a kiss to her head. The comforting embrace soothed him enough to continue.
“The entire Zafar family had magic. It always worried me. Damien’s little brother looked just like him. Dark curly hair, unusual green and amber eyes. He was always playing with rocks, though I don’t think his magic had developed yet. The last time I saw him was the day our mothers and siblings died, when I led him out of a burning house. Until tonight.”
Celina’s breath caught, and she pulled away to look him in the eye. “You mean…?”
“Sam is Althea’s adopted son, isn’t he? His original last name was Zafar.”
“Rodric…”
“We have more to tie us together than just Connor and Brenna needing rescue.” He touched her face as the shock faded and she smiled.
“That’s incredible.”
“It truly is,” he murmured.
“We’re going to save them, Rodric. Just like we all did Sam.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. Breathing in her scent, he let the sweet vanilla essence chase out the haunting smell of smoke, holding on to the belief that they would succeed in rescuing their loved ones. He just hoped no one died this time. They’d both lost too many people already.
Chapter 11
Curlingupinherfavorite chair in the nook beside the kitchen, Celina stared out the huge picture windows that looked out onto the land. Dawn hadn’t yet lightened the sky. The faint purple hue of moonlight still lingered, blanketing the grounds outside with the cover of darkness. White mist danced through the darkness, circling around the house in a protective embrace.
