“I can’t form soul-bonds, Raiden.”Her voice broke as she made the admission.
The fact that he’d tried to form that most intimate connection with her cut deeply because she wanted it so badly.The ultimate tie of belonging.Of intimacy.
All strong relationships formed bonds—between lovers, parents and children, close friends—to varying degrees of strength.But soul bonds were rare and sacred.Often only formed between mates.Most people were capable of holding several bonds, and they formed naturally over time.
She cleared the emotion blocking her voice.“When I gave up my life to become a guardian, I gave up those connections.My only bond is to Hannelore, and, through it, to Ember and Ereven.”
The guardian bonds were the only ones to exist within her.They weren’t the same as familial bonds or soul-bonds.The severing of her previous bonds—namely with her parents at the time—was one of the things that hurt the most from the very moment of transformation.Other things—like the altered aging process and inability to have children—hadn’t hit her until later.
Had her soul not been completely tied to the mountain, she knew she and Raiden would have developed an incredibly strong soul-bond.
“Daya.”Heartbreak poured from Raiden as he looked up at her.
“Don’t apologize,” she said quickly.“I… it is what it is.Just part of being a guardian.”
“I knew there was something keeping you from me, I just didn’t expect…” Raiden trailed off, shaking his head.“How exactly did Draven die?I don’t understand that.”
The bit of lingering hope she saw in his eyes made her heart race.She hardened her resolve to protect him.Couldn’t allow him to choose her when it meant death.
“Draven challenged Hannelore.Tried to become a guardian—something he wasn’t called to be—and died in the attempt.”
“Because he failed the trial?”
She shook her head.“That’s not how it works.It’s not something to be won or lost.The choice rests entirely with Hannelore.You either come out a guardian or not at all.”
The blow was shattering.Raiden’s expressive face contorted with the pain she felt consuming her.She pressed her lips together, sealing her desires away and gathering the strength to remain where she was.Apart from him.
Slowly, Raiden stood and stepped toward her, bringing his head down to rest against hers.“I need some fresh air while I process all this.But then we’re talking about this some more.We’re not through, Daya.Do you understand?I’m not giving up yet.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
His hand settled along her neck and jaw and brought a wave of emotion to the surface.He pressed a kiss to her temple before he turned and let her go.Waves of shadow parted for him as he walked out into the bright light.
Ember’sangryscreechshatteredher moment of grief, and Daya jumped at the sound.A good distance away from the barn, she saw Raiden freeze.
Daya was immediately overwhelmed with the press of Ember and Ereven trying to talk to her as the shield she’d put around her mind disintegrated into dust.
As soon as it dropped, Ember gave her images of the visitors they’d seen earlier.One of the pairs—the lead hunter and the mage—was standing just outside the barn with their horses, attention focused entirely on Raiden.
I clawed these two in warning, yet they still approached,Ember said.
The other two?Daya asked.
Hiding in the trees,Ereven said.I have them.
They’re here for Raiden,Daya said.
They can’t have him,Ember said fiercely.
Anger whipped through Daya as she grabbed her bow and brought her quiver of arrows to the entrance of the barn.Ember was right.No one was harming him on their watch.He could leave by his choice alone, not anyone else’s.Her instinct said they were friendly, but she could be wrong.
The desire to shake the earth to bring them all to the ground took her hard.She melded with Ember so that she could view what was happening outside in real time yet remain hidden in case Raiden needed her.
The auburn-haired woman and the massive gray horse both had their attention riveted to Raiden without notice of anything else.She would be the one who knew him, if that was how the situation unfolded.
Daya shifted her focus to the hunter.The man was standing protectively in front of his partner, mirroring Raiden.Acting more like a warrior than the hunter his bearing said he was.
Raiden had turned to face them, his body angled in front of the cavern’s entrance, dagger in hand.Always so protective of her.He’d come a long way since swearing never to use his weapons again.
