Veda hugged him again once he sat up.“I’m so happy you’re here.We missed you.”
“Me too.I brought Opal with me.She’s back at the house with Ryan if you want to go see her.You remember my teammate, Ryan, from when we first found you?He traveled with us.”
“Yes, I remember him.”Can I, please!?Veda sent to her.
Yes, but stay put once you get home.Ereven will go with you.
“Okay.”Veda grinned at both of them in turn.“Come on, Neka!”
The girl and the owlcat took off running toward the valley’s entrance.
Still frozen to the spot, Daya swallowed the lump of terror lodged in her throat.She’d just gotten her world right again.
Vibrant eyes held her gaze as Connor stood and crossed the distance between them.Each step he took connected them closer and closer to what they once were.
Her heart soared even though she couldn’t bridge the chasm that had opened between them.It was wider since they’d each returned to their respective lives.More dangerous to cross than ever before.
“Breathe, anaiah.You’re looking a little worried.”
“What are you doing here?”she asked, voice cracking.
“I once began a conversation with Hannelore that I intend to finish.”
He couldn’t possibly mean to approach Hannelore to become a guardian… but she saw the truth in his eyes.The deep green of the forest was intense and focused, more serious than she had ever seen them as he met her gaze.
She couldn’t help but feel that there was a great deal more Raiden in him than there had been when he’d left.The harsh façade of the warrior had shifted and changed somehow.As if he’d settled into someone new.
“I failed a test before, but I didn’t understand what was happening at the time,” he said.“I wasn’t ready, then.But I’ve changed.You changed me.The girls did.Losing my memories brought me back to life.”
“It could kill you.”If he initiated the commitment ceremony without it being right, the energy could destroy his soul.The transformation process was incredible but in no way harmless.Her worst fear come to pass.
“Anaiah.”His tone lilted with a caress.“Do you believe I belong here?”
“Yes.”She didn’t hesitate, but her opinion didn’t matter.If they were wrong… if Hannelore disagreed… it would end them both.
“I do too.”He reached out to touch her face, smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear.“I need you to trust me.”
Worry dredged her stomach at the risk he wanted to attempt, but she knew she couldn’t stop him.Not this time.The small, secret, hopeful part of her didn’t want to.
Hannelore loomed in her mind, anticipation roiling, yet silent and still.The mountain was waiting to confront Connor.
“Be sure,” she whispered.
Connor leaned in, his gentle hand still holding her face.“I have never been more sure of anything in my life.Let me go, Daya.Let me be who I was meant to be, even if I die in the attempt.”
That was why Ryan had come with him.To take care of Opal if things went wrong.He’d thought through the consequences.The potential repercussion of his death.Yet he stood with determination to meet Hannelore.
She closed her eyes and pressed her head to his for a moment.Breathing in his scent and feeling his heartbeat close to hers.Steadying herself in his strength and surety, she stepped back and released the grip she had on his arm.
“This way.”
Leading him through the guardian complex, she brought him to the above ground chamber that mimicked the one she’d been in earlier.It was a place of connection open to the elements, without a door to seal it off.Velentha trees bordered the entrance, and shadows blocked all view of the interior.
Only a full guardian could enter the deep earth chamber she used by herself.This one was open to all who needed to commune with Hannelore.
Connor removed his pack and retrieved a parcel wrapped in cloth.“Hold on to this for me.There are things you’ll need in there for Opal.”
She took the pack from him, glad that he didn’t finish the sentence.Her worry must have shown through, because he pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her temple.
