“For them or for you?”she wondered aloud.
He frowned, the worry intensifying on his face.“Can’t remember.”
“How about your name?”
A slow, negative shake of his head indicated the memory loss was extensive.“Just shadows.Enemies.”
Reaching out cautiously, Daya brushed her fingers along his jaw and under his chin.Tilting his head, she saw he’d received a nasty blow to the head.Blood soaked his hair, coloring the braid with darkness as it seeped down his neck.
Though much of it was dried, indicating he’d been bleeding for quite some time, the visible wound wouldn’t account for his deathly countenance.His skin was much too pale, even for someone with severe injuries.So how was he losing so much blood?
The labored sound of his breathing intensified her concern as she bent close to him.She was no healer, but the wet, strained sound of him sucking in air did not sound right.
“Let me see the rest,” she ordered softly.
Showing surprising trust, or marvelous instincts, the man obeyed and leaned into her.Doing so forced him to draw his body out of the hidden alcove.He panted in ragged breaths as he moved, tremors running through him.His shoulder was completely torn up, seeping with the beginnings of infection.The life leaking out of him made her pulse speed up.
Ember, he’s going to die if we don’t do something.
Yes.Much blood.Draw predators.
Bring Melody with my supplies.I’ll stay with him.
Of all the gifts the mountain had given her when she became guardian, why hadn’t it given her the power to heal?She’d trade any of her magics, right at this moment, for a chance to save him.Hopefully, her horse would come quickly at Ember’s beckoning.
“I’m going to help you.”
“Enemies… Risky for you.”Bent into her embrace, his breath brushed her neck in reply.
Biting off questions of who, what, and why, she leaned back so that she could look him in the eyes.The words weren’t placations.He was deadly serious.Somewhere, there was a threat still looming.Just great.
“I’m not leaving you.”
The fallen warrior smiled at her, stealing the breath from her body.His eyes lit for a moment in a peaceful kind of joy, in complete and jarring contrast to the harsh reality.It hit her with the force of a lightning bolt striking the earth, awakening her heart with a jolt.The powerful energy spread through her unimpeded, waking feelings deeply hidden within her soul.
“It’s okay, anaiah.”Letting go of his sword, he moved his good hand over hers in the smallest caress.“Go.”
Shock and a bit of awe made her tremble.Who was this man, who called her his saving grace in such a sweet tone?Sending her away to protect her from his enemies.
Anaiah was an unusual endearment to gift to a stranger.Usually reserved for someone beloved.A mate.
Protecting is what she did, who she’d been since the day she accepted the call of the mountain and became its guardian so long ago.The warriors she knew from the nearby town barely acknowledged her, let alone as someone deserving of their shield.Yet, here, a foreign warrior looked at her as someone worth guarding.Offering her the rarity of protection at a steep cost to himself.He had to know the extent of his injuries was devastating.
The green depths of his gaze held her steady as her heart tumbled and fell.The grievous sensation startled her back to reality, and she sucked in some air to clear her head.
His body tensed beside hers before he launched into action, pushing her aside and regaining his sword.
“Down!”His shout made her stumble as she tried to spin around to catch the threat.
The warrior was already moving, wrenching himself up to a kneeling position and angling his body in front of hers.His sword swept through the air in a defensive arc, blocking the weapon of the soldier who had snuck up on them.Even gravely wounded, he was holding the attacker off.
A stark yell of pain indicated their attacker had found his mark.The warrior stumbled back a step, and Daya immediately pulsed magic through the ground.Shaking the rocks and dirt beneath their enemy’s feet and calling the roots up from deep underground.The man lost his footing as the earth turned against him, cursing as he struggled to stand.
One breath steadied her, the second powered her throw, as she released her dagger with the exhale of air.The close range proved deadly as the blade struck home, cutting through clothes and muscle to embed in the stranger’s shoulder.The man lost his grip, lowering his sword on reflex.
It was his fatal mistake.The golden warrior jumped forward, running his sword through their enemy and dropping him to the ground.Out of breath and strength, he angled toward her just long enough to meet her eyes before collapsing next to her.
No!
