Tipping his head up to catch her gaze, he found a comforting ferocity emanating from her.“I believe you, anaiah.”
Licking his cracked lips, he quit fighting to stay awake, trusting her with his life, again.He held her eyes as he sank toward unconsciousness, rich brown of the earth touched with a hint of mystic gold, making her seem more spirit than woman.
Arainbowofcolorsglowed around him, the soft hues shimmering in his peripheral vision as he moved.A few massive trees circled the clearing protectively, their tall, broad bows covered with iridescent leaves.The larger tree had an unusual trunk.Split near the base, distinct pieces of the trunk rose separately to twine in a huge central knot before continuing up to form the remainder of the trunk.The two lines of the trunk melded toward the top of the tree, sprouting a myriad of branches covered in blue and green leaves.
Drawn forward, he pressed his hand to the knot of the tree.A burning spark flicked to life inside him, a wave of intense power and anticipation filling him.
“Raiden.”
The deep, resonant whisper of his name on the breeze startled him, and he yanked his hand away, breaking the connection and winking out the flame.
He looked back to study the knot, but a gleam of gold caught his attention.Walking past the tree, he continued through the meadow of light to greet Daya.Golden light shimmered, rising from flowing fabric that caressed her skin as she moved.The flora glowed brighter where she stepped, sparkling as it kissed her own light.
Drawing her to him, he trailed his fingers down her face.His huntress had a hint of sorrow in the downward pull of her lips and the tip of her eyes.
He kissed the corner of her mouth in a featherlight caress.“What’s wrong, anaiah?”
“I have to go.”
“Says who?”
The shadows in her eyes deepened before she turned her face away, hiding her pain from him.He clasped her hand tightly at the harsh, unspoken truth.The surrounding light dimmed as the mist of dawn began to rise, obscuring the magical glow.
“I’m sorry, Raiden.I must go alone.”
Letting go of his hand, Daya began to fade from view.The distance between them grew as she disappeared into the mist of the mountain.
“No!”Raidenthrashedashe came to, kicking at the blanket tangling his legs.“Don’t go.”
Red feathers beat at him with a screech as Ember snapped her beak at him.She landed on the bed in front of him, wings spread in an aggressive fashion until he quit thrashing.
“Daya!”
Ember moved over for her mistress, stepping onto his legs in an effective threat to still his movement.He struggled to sit upright as Daya came to him.Dark brown hair and glittering armor filled his vision as she pushed him back down.
Grabbing her rough arm guard, he held onto her tightly.
“Don’t do it.Don’t go.Fight with me.”
“Raiden, you’re not making any sense.I’m right here.”
“Find a way.Have to.”
“You need to rest while your body detoxes the poison.Drink this.”
He kept a hold of her arm as she tipped his head back and placed a mug to his lips.Warm liquid carried the bitter taste of sleeping herbs.The remedy settled on his tongue with the numbing tingle of a strong dose.
Giving in to Daya’s pleading gaze, he swallowed the herbs.The heavy weight of sleep began to pull at him immediately, burdening his limbs until he released Daya’s arm.His eyes refused his command to stay open.
Helayontheground, aching pain drowning his senses as the sound of metal clashed around him.Shouts of men and women in battle rolled over him—people he was supposed to be with, supposed to defend.Tipping his head back, he glimpsed a dark swath of shadow a few body lengths from him.Shadows were good, safe… if he could just get to them.Movement produced a sharp lancing sting in his lower abdomen and down his leg.
No!Blood splayed brightly against the dim colors around him.He needed to move, to get to them before it was too late.Wrenching to the side, he turned toward the battlefield.One pair of warriors remained fighting.
Alison!
Relief washed away some of his distress.If anyone could survive this mess, it was his fierce mentor.He clutched the symbol of protection that hung around his neck as he watched her battle their remaining enemies.
A flash of gray rippled as a horse raced past, hooves thundering against the hard packed soil.Returning his eyes to the field showed eerie quiet.Dismembered bodies and bloody weapons littered the forest floor, strewn amongst the brightly colored Zamyran blues and purples of the dense plants.
