The possibility of him disappearing from her life forced her to face some stark realizations.She cared for him deeply.
The real question was whether she would tell him so before she lost him.Because whether the visitors were here for him or not, there was no way forward for them.She wouldn’t let him risk his life to stay with her.Wouldn’t let another tragic end come to a man she loved.
Daya closed her eyes against the truth.Knowing the end made it hurt so much more.Death awaited him if he stayed and tried to win her heart the way Draven had.She pressed shaking hands to her knees as the sharp pain in her chest intensified.How had she let this happen?Let herself fall into the hope of possibility?
Needing air, she walked outside.
It was the wrong move.
Raiden’s rich laugh immediately entranced her.Joy suffused it, making him sound utterly alive.Her heart swelled at that.It was such a contrast to the nightmares and pain he’d suffered since she found him.
He was engaged in a game of some sort with Neka.They were both frozen in place until he suddenly moved, and Neka pounced at him, accurately anticipating the direction he tried to go and blocking him off.She watched them for a few moments until Neka took a larger leap and shoved Raiden over into the dirt, eliciting his vibrant laugh once again.
“You win!We’ll play again after you hunt.”Raiden spotted her and grinned before giving Neka a push toward the forest.“Go on then.”
The owlcat stretched like she was getting up from a long nap before taking off toward the trees.
“Show off,” Raiden called after her.
“Planning to rest there until she gets back?”Daya asked as she walked over to him.
“Maybe.”He smiled.“Unless I get a better offer.”
Shoving her logic as far back as she could in her mind, she did something she hadn’t done since he’d been ill.She extended her hand to him.
The spark in his eyes changed from general amusement to something deeper.He accepted her hand and let her haul him up off the ground.
He winced as he stood.“I was ready to pursue that look in your eye, but it seems nature has other ideas.”
Daya wrapped her arm around his waist and pressed close so that she could support him as they walked toward the barn.“You overdid it on our date yesterday.”
He stopped suddenly; pain banished as his eyes brightened to the richest green.
“What?”she asked, self-conscious.
“Nothing.”
The twist of his lips clearly meant the opposite of nothing.
“Why are you smiling, then?”she asked.
“No reason.”
“Raiden!”
His free hand stilled her face as he leaned close to her, blocking out the sun and everything around them.“You admit it was a date.”
“I—no—”
“Yes.You did.”
“It doesn’t matter.”She backtracked.“We—”
“Belong,” he said.“We belong, Daya.”
Raiden pressed his lips to hers and kissed her deeply, daring her to deny the truth.Seeking everything she had to give as he pursued her.
The desire she’d kept trapped broke free, and she quit hiding.She reached to meet him, tangling their hearts together as she kissed him back.Completely lost in the gentle strength of his hand holding her steady.
