Daya’s lips twitched in response to the playful glow of his eyes.“I don’t know, you’re pretty hardheaded.”
“Mmm… I think I’d make a decent hunter.”
“Maybe,” she conceded.“I don’t tame the hawks, though, just temper them into partners and hone their skills.Their wild instincts never change.”
The beautiful light dimmed from his eyes, and she immediately regretted her words.“Whatever you are, you’re a protector, Raiden.Those instincts are what’s under your skills.”
Stretching up, his hand settled on her neck as if she were the gentlest of creatures he wanted to touch without frightening.Nothing could be further from the truth, but she enjoyed the touch.He traced over the nearly healed scratch along her throat.
She curled her hand over his.
“I’ve witnessed a lot of malice and darkness over the years.You’re nothing like that.Even at your worst moment, you radiate protectiveness.”Seeing the frown forming on his face, she continued before he could think too hard.“Whatever you’re trained to do, why you chose to develop these skills, I know that much.Trust me.”
“I do.”He smiled, though it was barely a flicker of the joy from a moment before.“Thank you, Daya.”
Weariness crept into his eyes, but with it was a sense of peace, like he was relieved to share a heavy burden.Her heart clenched, that he should bear that weight alone.She knew instinctively that she was seeing the man beneath the shield.His injuries and their unusual circumstances likely encouraging him to drop the countenance he presented to the world.
She understood that.
Being a guardian meant forever being alone.In exchange for her sacrifice and the dedication of her life, she’d received gifts of the mountain’s magic and an extended lifespan.
Already, she’d spent over a hundred solitary years, fighting to keep the faith that their people would come back to the light.Until they did, she would safeguard their ancient knowledge and their magic.It was happening, just at an infinitesimal rate.More children were born each year with magic, a positive thing that was causing destructive waves of upheaval as all the realms struggled to adapt.
Raiden gave her cheek a final caress that had her heart galloping.Pulling away from the temptation of her golden sky hunter, she helped him rise from the railing.
Each step seemed to take more effort for him, and she found herself bearing much more of his weight than she had before.
“You may have been right,” he rasped as they moved slowly toward the house.
“Do us both a favor and remember that, will you?”
The low sound of his chuckle made her shiver.He grinned when she hazarded a look at him.
As they crossed the threshold into her house, she decided the best course of action was avoidance.Otherwise, she’d give in and set herself up for heartbreak.Raiden’s existence in her life would be fleeting as the rare snowstorm the mountain received.He couldn’t stay with her, much as his presence was a balm to her lonely spirit.
WanderingtotheroomRaiden had temporarily claimed as his, Daya knocked and pushed the ajar door fully open.
After sleeping most of another day, he’d finally risen for a few hours.The time he’d spent outdoors with her and Neka the day before had sapped his strength.She figured he must be starving and had cooked a fresh meal for him.
Entering the room, she found him sitting at the small desk, intently focused on some parchment drawings he’d made.The drawings—though rudimentary, given he was using his non-dominant hand to write—seemed to help him process the nightmares that plagued his sleep and the snippets of memory that haunted his waking hours.
She moved to his side so as not to startle him from behind.
“I’ve made a meal if you’re hungry.”
“I am, thanks.”His attempt to rise was short-lived, and he stumbled out of the chair.
“Raiden!”Grabbing him, she hauled him upright and shoved her shoulder under his arm.She helped him the rest of the way until he was able to drop onto the bed.
“You don’t look good.Something’s wrong.”
He smiled weakly at her.“You were the one wielding the scissors yesterday.”
Rolling her eyes at his incessant humor, she felt his skin.The heat radiating from him matched the flushed coloring and racing heartbeat.His green eyes darkened to emerald as they glazed over with fever.
“Weapons.Over there.”Raiden’s gaze flicked behind her to the desk he’d been sitting at.“Keep them away from me.Mind’s getting hazy.”
Pulse drumming in her ears, she tore away the bandage covering the worst wound on his abdomen.
