A lone female huntress was a rare occurrence in the realm but not completely unheard of.Living within the border of a town instead of high in the mountains would have made her life easier with access to supplies and trading opportunities.Her life was still such a mystery.And then there were her hawks, who behaved more like people.
Daya moved with a slight stiffness as they continued through the forest.It wasn’t like he remembered enough to share his own history with magic, but what could he do to calm her fears and bring the illusive smile to her lips?He was supposed to be giving her a day of escape, not causing her stress.
Ember cawed at him as she circled back, fading in and out of view as she flew through swaths of shadow created by the forest.An idea struck him, and he held his arm out for her to perch, silently requesting the intelligent bird’s presence.A rush of air struck him as she dropped abruptly from flight and landed on his leather-covered arm.
“I need your help.”He kept his voice low as he stroked her soft feathers.“You can see me when I’m using magic to hide, yes?”
They were under a slight shadow, so he shimmered magic over his opposite hand.Her eyes snapped with predatory alertness to the use of magic.It was an educated guess after playing with her and Neka in the forest as he rebuilt his mage skills.He was also banking on the fact that the hawk thoroughly understood his words.
“Can you hunt for us?Daya and I hide, you hunt.Hide and seek.”
Ember’s head bobbed in interest, and she gave a soft, affirmative squawk.Raiden grinned.This will be fun.The hawk took off from his arm, flying up and disappearing into the trees.
Hustling as much as he could without causing more damage to his body, he caught up to Daya and grabbed her hand, tugging her off the trail and into the dense woods.
“Raiden, what—”
“Come on!”
It was a testament to her trust that she didn’t stop and demand an answer but continued to follow him through the brush.She matched his limping walk, keeping pace with him easily.
Bypassing thicker trees that threw large shadows, he found a smaller tree standing at an odd angle to the mountain.Ushering Daya into its sphere, he wrapped his arms around her and pinned her to the tree.
“Just breathe with me, Daya, like you promised,” he whispered.
Veiling them with his magic caused the light to stammer in waves of slow motion before settling around them in a darkly shimmering cloak.He cinched it tight around them, weaving the edges into the fabric of the shadow until they were completely concealed.
“Raiden…”
The urge to kiss her flooded him with desire.This close, he could smell the rich scent of her skin—rain, woods, and a hint of lentha nectar—and wondered if she would taste as good as she smelled.
He brushed his lips along her jaw.“Come on, anaiah.Play with me.”
Daya’s lungs rose in a shuddering breath, awareness of a more primal nature rising in like a swift tropical storm between them.He basked in the heat for just a second before untying his tongue.
“Didn’t you ever play hide and seek?”he asked.
“Wha-at?”
Reveling in the fact that he’d pushed her off guard—another first—he smiled against her skin, letting her feel his joy.A rare moment to cherish.No secrets, no memories, no talk of the future, just as he’d promised.
“Fun,” he whispered.“You don’t have enough, and I plan to change that.”
“By playing hide and seek?”
“For starters.”
Her hand tightened on his chest, probably deciding whether to grab him or push him away.Suddenly, the intensity unfurled, and she relaxed in his arms, letting her head rest against his.He felt her shake her head, and he grinned.Exactly what she needed.
The sound of pumping air thundered through the quiet as Ember swooped down, as if for the kill.She pulled up and turned at the last second, her wing sending a plume of air across the back of his neck.
Dropping the magic, he laughed and stepped back, bringing Daya with him into the light.Ember circled and dropped down again to land gracefully on his arm.
“Good girl,” he murmured, stroking her feathery chest.
Looking back to Daya, he found her brown eyes blown with heat and just a touch of astonishment.He quirked his eyebrow in silent question to see if she wanted to keep playing.It would be a fight to keep the desire between them at a simmer while they played, but he’d do anything to lift the heavy weight from her shoulders, even if just for an afternoon.
A smile fought its way to Daya’s lips, and she nodded.
