“I would never hurt him.”
“I believe you.But while your intentions were good, he is hurting right now and needs to rest and recover at his own pace.Please let him.”She gestured toward the back of her house.“Make yourselves at home for the night.He’ll come to you tomorrow when he is ready.”
“Of course,” Celina agreed, distress still edging her voice.“Thank you for letting us stay.”
“You’re his family, so you are welcome here, as are your companions,” Daya told Celina before shifting her attention to the hunter.“But I would appreciate it if you proceed with honesty.If they are still hiding in my trees or sneaking around when I get back, I’ll let my birds treat them as intruders, family or not.This one in particular is not as forgiving as I am.”
Really?Ember sounded pleased by the idea.
No.But they don’t need to know that just yet.
Ember made an angry sound as she left the room.They hurt him.
I know.Daya was still seething.But they were trying to help.The choice should be his, unless they take threatening action.Then they’re all yours.Watch them.
Gladly,Ember agreed.
Ereven called loudly to her as she ducked into the forest.He sent her an image of the cliffside lookout higher up the mountain, anticipating her question about where Neka had taken Raiden.We will guard them.Go to your mate.
Her heart panged as she began to make her way up the steep mountain side.I’m not his mate.
Ereven gave her a mental nudge of disagreement.You’ve nested together in your aerie all season.Mating dance together, yes?
She stumbled as an image of the two of them dancing by the fire filled her mind.The memory captured by her winged friend was breathtaking.Shadow and firelight transformed the scene into one of magic and mist, their bond clear and strong as Raiden held her close.
Mates.
We can’t be mates.I’m already bound to the mountain.She’d given up the ability to make separate bonds when she’d chosen to be irrevocably tied to the ancient and binding power of the sacred mountain.
Stubborn hawklet.Ember’s voice intruded.
That might be true, but it changed nothing.Her choice had been made long ago, and she would honor it, always.Even if her heart broke in the process.The fact that Raiden would understand and honor her vow as guardian only intensified the pain.
Chapter 11
Radiantcolorsoforangeand purple streaked the sky as dusk filtered the evening light to an intense glow.Highlighted against the magnificent backdrop was a set of dark, protective shadows.Stopping at the top of the trail, Daya’s heart tripped at the sight.
Raiden and Neka stood together surveying the mountain terrain, his hand curled tightly in the owlcat’s nape.Standing before the flame-filled sky, he had never looked more like her legendary sky hunter.Watching the pair, it dawned on her that she wouldn’t be the only one missing him when he left.
Daya came to stand on Neka’s other side, her eyes focused on Raiden’s profile.Though her stomach rolled with anxiety from the chaotic afternoon, she pulled in the cool, crisp air and focused all her attention on the man hurting beside her.
Neka greeted her with a swish of her furry tail as she rose and gave Raiden an affectionate nudge before departing, her duty completed with Daya’s arrival.
“A few weeks ago, I would have been elated to have a rescue team find me.Heal my injuries and return me home.But now that it’s happened…” Raiden’s eyes stayed locked on the horizon.“It’s hard to believe that I’m going to end the day as someone different than I was this morning.”
“Mmm.And who is that?”
“A warrior with a botched mission and a whole lot of failures to correct.”
“That bad?”
“Death, violence, treachery.”The raw evidence of suffering thickened his voice.“The details are hard to decipher from the havoc in my mind, but I’ve siphoned out enough.”
“Enough to condemn yourself for what happened?”
“Yes,” he said harshly, his jaw flexing.“Veda, the golden-haired girl I’ve been remembering?I promised to get her and another little one to safety.More than that.I made a commitment to be her soul-guardian and take her home where she would be safe and loved.When we were attacked…” He shook his head.“I failed her so completely.I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself.Everything that’s happened to her since is my fault.”
“I’m sorry for both of your suffering.But being responsible and blaming yourself for circumstances outside of your control are two very different things, and you know it.”Studying the tension stiffening his spine, she drove her point a little deeper.“Tell me something, what does your mind feel like right now?”
