He felt the shimmer of light within the tree strengthen to his magic, sparkling luminously in his mind’s eye.After a moment, Alayna let her magic dwindle to the faintest mist and wink out.Disappointed that it was ending so soon, Connor followed suit and slowly withdrew his magic from the air around them.
“How do you feel now?”she asked.
“I…” He paused to take stock of his emotions.“Better.That was amazing, Alayna.Being near the trees always gives me peace, but this is so much more.”
“Nature isn’t separate from us, Connor.We treat it that way often.But it is just as integral to our emotional existence as it is to our health.Twining our magic with the plants puts us in sync with them.Resets our souls for a moment into their rhythm.The heartbeat of the earth is a safe place to rest.It’s far stronger than our own, if we let it hold us.”
The softly spoken truth resonated deeply.Made him think of Daya and her all-encompassing relationship with the mountain.He’d been harsh with her about it too often when he’d been frustrated and confused.
Was it possible he was yearning for the same?Not just for the connection he so desired with her but for a deeper connection to the earth?
“A gift I didn’t know I needed,” he murmured.
“Yes, you did.Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come.”Alayna smiled.“Silent companionship is more supportive than people realize.That’s why I love the plants so much.You’re welcome any time.I’ve been spending a lot of time in this greenhouse lately.Look for me next time.I’ll take a break with you if you want human company.Though I probably won’t talk much more than the plants.”
“Doing research for your project?”
“Mmm-hmm.The Zamyran plants draw me when I sit with the problem.”
“You think there are answers in Zamyra?”he asked.
“Yes.The plants will lead me in time.Nature can’t be rushed.”
An interesting way to look at things.“Patience is not really the forte of warriors,” he mused.
“So my brother Garrett constantly reminds me.”She chuckled softly, reminding him that her adoptive brother, Garrett, was a warrior stationed permanently in Calderre.“Don’t worry, Connor.We’ll find the right path forward.”
“Thank you for this.It helped.”
“I should say the same to you.That was the best mimic of the rainforest canopy I’ve been able to do.I never thought to ask a shadow mage for help.A lovely end to a tough day for both of us.”
With a last brush of his fingertips along the trees, Connor stepped back and started to turn toward the exit.
“No, stay.”Alayna stopped him and handed him her keys.“I’m headed to Ravensmere to visit with Celina and Cass tonight.Stay and enjoy the quiet.I think you need it.Bring them to me when you come home.”
“Are you sure?”
She gave him a gentle smile.“Positive.Just don’t hurt my plants.”
“Never,” he promised, thinking of how much she would enjoy visiting the mountain.
Quiet descended as Alayna left him alone in the greenhouse.Inhaling, Connor took the first full breath of air into his lungs in what seemed like weeks.Maybe since they arrived home.The calm before the storm, but he’d take the reprieve for the gift it was.
WispsofshadowfilledConnor’s mind, colors sparking in a rainbow hue along the edges of his vision.He curled his hand around Veda’s rock and tried to let the peace of the greenhouse fill him.The love from far away seeping into his palm and heart from the stone.
Just breathe with me.Daya’s voice filled his mind.
Why does that always work?he asked.
Because I love you.
His mind twisted the real memory, changing Daya’s words to ones he desperately needed to hear.Even if they were just in his imagination.He let the scene coalesce, bringing her to life in his mind.Keeping his eyes tightly closed, he let himself get lost in the dream.
Nestled onto a stone ledge, Connor sat with Daya.Moonlight sparkled on the water as it lapped around them.Though they were still, the water churned loudly, filling constantly moving as the waterfall reached the end of its journey into the pool.
It was secluded.Protected.The way his heart felt with Daya’s hand on his chest.
“I need your advice,” he told her.
