Green eyes flitted over her face, studying her intently before he gave a sharp nod.“Alright.”
“That’s it?”He wasn’t going to push her on the odd conversation?
“I’d like you to trust me, Daya.The way I’ve trusted you by sharing my fears and the pieces of my memory as they come back to me.But that takes time.I want everything you’re willing to give, but nothing you’re not.”Turning, he headed back to the barn.“I’ll see to the hawklet, assuming it’s a normal hawk and not like your two.”
Her heart clenched as she watched him walk away.Shedidtrust him, and that was entirely the problem.
I like the sky hunter better than her last male.Ember ruffled her feathers at her mate.
A fighter, yes,Ereven answered.Stronger than Draven.
If you two could stop debating my love life, we have a hunt to plan.Daya rubbed a hand over her eyes as something occurred to her.You knew Raiden had magic!
Of course,Ember said.
You could have told me.She’d forgotten the hawks could see magic.It had been years since the trio had needed to use those skills.
If you wanted to know, you should have asked.He flickers with it when he fights the night dreams.
Daya sighed as she headed into the house.Only our guardian duties matter.We’re leaving at dawn, whoever is joining me.
You’re mad because I’m right about the sky hunter.Ember’s snippy voice followed her as she went to pack her supplies.
Suddenly, the beckoning solitude of the forest seemed a great gift, even if she was going to hunt the darkness.
Chapter 6
Daya’s Homestead, Hannelore Mountain, Realm of Eldridge
Raidenhadbeenanidiot.He’d refused to work with his blades ever since discovering a terrifying skillset he didn’t have the memories to wield properly—one that made it far too easy to hurt Daya.
A split second of a flashback or lack of proper direction from his mind, and he could do something he’d live his life regretting.Harming an innocent would be horrible, but he was certain that hurting Daya would shred his soul.That type of pain couldn’t ever be healed.
In following that very powerful instinct, he’d neglected one important fact.Refusing to come to terms with those skills carried the price of leaving Daya unprotected.In trying to protect her from himself, he’d left her vulnerable to others.
Daya was very capable of defending herself when needed, but that didn’t take away from his own deep feeling of responsibility.While he was with her, he should be able to protect her.The full understanding of his choice dawned on him as he’d absorbed the aggressive undertone of the villager’s words as they’d conversed.
How was he to successfully protect her without a weapon or honed skills?That was the question that had him hovering in Daya’s empty house, staring at the sealed chest that held his blades.
“Quit stalling.”He forced himself to one knee and opened the chest.
Daya had strapped his broad sword to the lid of the chest.The glint of metal against the dark leather radiated purpose.Reminding himself he needed to embrace this part of him, he took a deep breath and reached out to touch the hilt in greeting, as if the blade was an old friend.Somewhat expecting it, he didn’t fight the shards of memory when they lanced his mind, letting them come in peace.
Having just been cleaned, the amethyst stones shone brightly as he ran his fingers over them.
“Your hands are a little small yet, love, but someday they’ll hold it well.”A maternal hand ruffled his hair.
“Why would I be using your sword?”That right belonged first to his sister, even though she was so gentle he could scarcely imagine her with the mighty sword.It would be disrespectful to say so though.
“Your sister walks a different path.”His mother’s green eyes shimmered with knowing as she gazed into the fire before settling back on him.“You’ll inherit my sword and shield, when you’re ready.And your soul-guardian will help train you into a great warrior.”Her smile held a hint of sadness as she studied him.
Turmoil thrummed through his young heart.He’d watched his mother return from countless battles and missions, her fiery passion tempered by the weight of death and tragedy.It took days, sometimes weeks, for her smile to return, hard as he tried to help her.It took even longer to get her to laugh again.He wasn’t sure he wanted to live that way.
Unlatching the straps that held the blade, Raiden removed it from the chest and held it in front of him, blinking rapidly as another flashback pulled him under.
Sea-blue eyes filled with trepidation met his.“Are you sure you want to do this?”
The whispered words echoed through his soul, and he swallowed hard.He had a choice, unlike his sister, but he wouldn’t back down from their mother’s legacy.It was his burden to shoulder, though it had never been the life he’d imagined.
