Darkness began to edge his vision, blurring the images until he gave in and closed his eyes.Before he could try to move again, a heavy weight settled over his legs.He tried and failed to kick the furry blanket away so he could get up.
The soft, feminine voice began to hum as gentle fingers stroked his head.He wanted the touch, wanted to stay with her, but something tugged at him.He had to go.Had to get somewhere, to someone.
His body shuddered with fatigue as his mind gave in to the entrancing sound of her voice.
Asummonsthunderedthroughhis veins, drawing him through mist-shrouded land.Heavy shadows blanketed him as he traveled, floating through the forest toward the looming mountainside.A pair of velentha trees guarded the entrance to a small cavern.He waited hesitantly until he felt the pull of invitation before crossing the threshold.
The dark walls sparkled in his peripheral vision, but focusing on any spot showed only plain stone.A rising wave of challenge struck him, throwing him back toward the entrance.He stayed down, pulling air into his starved lungs.A sense of question, albeit forceful, stung the air, giving him the impression that he was here to be judged, not to fight.
“What do you want from me?”He forced the words through the constriction in his chest.
“What are you willing to give?”The question burrowed through his mind and into his soul, searching for the answer of its own accord.
A sense of expectance hung heavy in the air.Something behind the rock wall of the cavern seemed to heat and glow, awaiting his response.There was something beyond, but he couldn’t see a way to get to it.
The weight of eyes made his spine itch, and he twisted around to look back out into the night.Something was out there watching him.Tension built as he scanned the dark valley.He needed to be ready to move.Resisting the entrancing pull of the mysterious cavern, he crossed the barrier back into the forest.
Awarenessofapredatornearby forced Raiden from the dream state.He was being watched, stalked.His eyes sought shadows and escape routes the instant they opened.An odd sensation he couldn’t name pulsed inside him.
Settling, his vision came to focus on the threat that stalked quietly into the room.The great owlcat watched him intently, white fur bright in the dark room as she approached.
He remained perfectly still, obeying the silent command to stay put.Satisfied, she switched her attention to his injured side.His mind felt clearer, but the pain and feverish chills still wracked his body, his lungs burning with exhaustion even as he dreamed.
Neka rumbled deep within her chest as she sniffed the wound.Looking up, she gave him a familiarly disproving look.An image of the gray horse—his horse, he was certain—with the same expression telling him he was in trouble flashed through his mind.
Relaxing at the instinctive knowledge that she wouldn’t hurt him, he let his shaking muscles untense and slumped into the pillows supporting him.
A wave of energy built in the room as Neka’s gleaming golden eyes studied him.His heart pulsed as the air began to hum.The faint gold patterns of her coat glowed bright as she broke eye contact and shifted toward his side.
He blinked.The movement made the light seem to ripple around her.Was her fur really shimmering?
A tingling sensation stole into him as she licked at his wound.Her tongue scratching against his skin made him wince, but he held back his protest.
Finished with her ministrations, Neka chuffed at him as the glow began to fade from her fur.Reaching deep, he found the energy to lean forward and pet her in thanks.
“Does Daya know you’ve been helping me?”
The owlcat ignored the question as she butted her head against his chest.Startled, he realized the wound above his rib cage was healed, evident by the lack of pain from the contact.
“How long have I been out?”
Neka gave him a shove, sending him back into the pillows with ease.
“Oof.Not long enough, I guess.”
Her low rumble told him to stay as she headed for the door.
Chapter 5
Guardian Sanctum, Hannelore Mountain, Realm of Eldridge
Dayakneltinthepool of sparkling water at the heart of the mountain, letting the warm heat soak into her bones.She could communicate with the mountain from anywhere, but when she needed extreme clarity, she came to the heart and rid her mind of everything but the spirit of the guardian that was her true essence.
She’d chosen to stay in the pool rather than continue into the small meditation chamber, needing the calming influence of the water more than the solid earth beneath her knees.
Her core purpose as a guardian of Hannelore Mountain was to protect the mountain—its hidden places, its wild inhabitants, its secrets.She was also meant to guide, but in a realm that banished magic long ago, she was fairly useless in that capacity.Instead, she saw herself less as a teacher and more as a caretaker.Preserving the sacred space and the ancient ways for future generations, so that someday a future guardian would have the opportunity to act as wisdom keeper and guide to those with magic.She’d given her vow as well as her life-force to the mountain when she’d accepted the call to become a guardian, and she would find a way to keep her promise.
Caring for Raiden the past few weeks had turned her inside out.His presence stirred emotions long buried in her heart, tore at the carefully constructed walls she’d built.No matter how many times she told herself he wasn’t staying, and she didn’t need him complicating her life, a kernel of longing betrayed her true feelings.
