“Daya is… impressive.And a good fit for you.I’m glad you found her.Found your place, here.”
“Thanks, Ry.”He smiled as he picked up the mug of tea.
Ryan pushed the plate of food toward him.“Eat so you can go see your girls.I assume I’m babysitting tonight?”
“Yes.”Raiden grinned.
His best friend rolled his eyes, murmuring something about him being lucky before finally smiling broadly.
Thesunwasnearlyblinding as Raiden ambled outside in search of his family.He found them out by the yard, Daya watching on as the girls played with Neka.After kissing his mate thoroughly, he climbed over the fence.
The owlcat saw him first, giving a roar of greeting as she dodged the little ones.
“Da!”Opal ran to him and wrapped her arms tight around his neck as he lifted her.
“There’s my little mite.I missed you.”
Opening his arm, he gathered Veda to him as well.Held them both close.His girls.
“You scared me,” Veda whispered.
“I know.I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“Daya says you’re staying.We’re going to be a family.”
“Yes, we are.”
Nervous hope shined in her eyes.“And you’ll… you’ll be my da too?”
“Yes.Is that okay?”
“It’s the best thing in the world!”Veda flung an arm around his neck, careful not to bump her sister.
He smiled and hugged her tight.“I agree.”
Impatient, Neka came and knocked him over, causing them all to tumble into the meadowgrass.Laughing, Raiden helped the girls up and sent them chasing after Neka.
Moving to Daya’s side, he stroked her cheek.His huntress was looking misty eyed herself.“You good, anaiah?”
Capturing his hand, she turned her head to kiss his palm.“I couldn’t ask for more.”
Walkingthroughtheprotectedforest that surrounded the guardian sanctuary with her mate by her side was something Daya never thought she would do.
Though she’d yearned for it, she’d tried her best not to hope.It had hurt too much to dream of walking with Raiden after he’d left.Yet he was by her side, power and strength emanating from him as he settled into his new magic.
After sleeping for several days, he’d awoken sure and steady.More comfortable in his own skin than she’d seen ever seen him.
The knowledge that he was who he was meant to be and was where he belonged swelled her throat with emotion.Her sky hunter was no longer lost.No longer a broken warrior.He’d found his way home.Found his purpose.That she got to share it was a gift she’d never stop thanking Hannelore for.
His gaze softened as he looked over at her.His thumb stroking over the hand he held in silent response to the emotion filling her.
With a little practice, she’d mastered the art of holding a private channel open between them that existed separately from their collective bond with Hannelore.It had been more instinctive than she’d anticipated, which was a relief.She really hadn’t wanted to ask the hawks for direction on how to create the separate space.
She led her mate through a set of weeping branches brought them to the secluded bank of the waterfall pool.Raiden had specifically asked about it when they’d started their walk.
Stone rose on one side, where high above them was a small ritual area overlooking the waterfall.Unlike the serenely calm lake in the glade where they’d had the healing ceremony, the water churned and swirled, constantly moving after reaching its destination in the pool.
“What do you think?”she asked.
