Heading to the kitchen, he set about his routine of making tea.He felt Daya enter the room.Energy swirled around her in her signature blend of gentle power.Aware of magic as he now was, he had no problem picking up the faint hum that radiated from his huntress.It was unique as she was, and he was somehow certain her power was as unusual as the behavior of her wild hawks.
Raiden turned to face her and leaned back, gripping the kitchen counter with both hands to keep from hauling her into his arms.The instinct was getting harder to fight each time she returned.
Daya’s eyes traced over his body, looking for injuries.His did the same, completing the silent ritual they’d created when they’d been apart.Lines of stress and exhaustion marred her features, but they seemed only slightly worse than when she’d left.The burn of her gaze traveled over his chest and arms, making his skin heat with pleasure.
“Welcome home.”He smiled as her breathing picked up and her shoulders stiffened.
Apparently, she was waging an internal battle about his semi-naked presence in her kitchen.Good.He knew she felt the pull toward him just as strongly as he did her.She wouldn’t be fighting so hard to resist him otherwise.
Giving her time to adjust to his presence, he turned back to the tea he’d been preparing when she walked in.Retrieving the jar of lentha nectar, he stirred some into both mugs and added slices of tangy orlen fruit.The sweet, citrusy aroma floated to him in delightful waves.
Feeling the weight of her gaze, he turned and caught her staring at his abdomen.The wound had finally closed completely.Though his body still ached, he could move freely again as long as he didn’t overdo it.
“It’s healing well, thanks to you and Neka,” he said.
Surprise brightened Daya’s eyes as she accepted the mug of tea from him.“Neka?”
“You didn’t know?She came to me a few times and licked the wound.I would swear her fur brightened with magic when she did, but that was probably the fever.”
“That explains a lot.I’d wondered at the jumps in your recovery.If she hadn’t done that, we would have lost you.There were a few days…” She trailed off and took a stressed breath.
“I’m a fighter, anaiah.I would have made it.”He had his doubts, honestly, but hated to hear the slip of fear in her voice.Leaning forward, he let a slow grin spread over his face and winked at her.“I’m glad you both took a liking to me, or I’d really be lost.”
He meant the words, but his playful tone had the desired effect, and she laughed, tension releasing in a rush of bubbling sound.Her smile edged the darkness out of her eyes and lit a fire in his soul.
There she was.She was gorgeous always, but the sound of her joy, even for a moment, filled him with warmth.She didn’t laugh often enough, living life solemn and alone with her animals.If she’d let him stay, he’d make it his mission to fill her life with the joy and pleasure it lacked.
“Everything okay while I was gone?”Her body language finally settled into a relaxed state.
“Yes.Neka, Ember, and I got along just fine.And you were right, the time alone to practice was necessary.The flashes I continue to have are not as jarring anymore.”He touched one of his blades.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here, Raiden.”
“It’s probably for the best.The first few times were bad, and I was… jumpy.If you’d been here, I’d probably have ended up camping in the woods to ensure I didn’t hurt you.Not so fun, with all the rain.”
She sputtered a laugh.“That’s true.It was a little rough with the weather.I didn’t get as far as I’d planned.”
“You’re going back out?”
“I have to Raiden.It’s part of my responsibility.”
“Your responsibility as a… huntress.”
Daya shrugged, avoiding his gaze to look around the room.
There was something there she still wasn’t telling him.Sighing, he told himself to give it time and let it go.He wanted her to share her secrets with him, but not because he’d coerced her.
“The hawklet is healing well, by the way,” he said.“Ember was a bit suspicious at first, but she’s come around and decided to be helpful.”
“That’s good.”
“Speaking of…”
Raiden moved across the room to the fireplace and picked up the hawk statue from the mantel.Handing her the tiny amorite figurine, he watched closely as she examined it.Her lashes fluttered as she ran her fingers over the intricate shape of the bird’s wings.
“It was made with a great deal of care.And it resembles the one in your chest,” he said.“The little boy left it with the hawklet.I assume the grandfather they mentioned made it and bid him to deliver it with the bird.Sly old man.Did you know him?”
Daya nodded and cleared her throat.“I did, once.I was involved with… a relative of his, Draven, for a little while.It didn’t work out.”
