Repositioning his sword in case he needed it, he picked her up again.
Veda curled her head into his neck.“Don’t let go.”
The whispered words burrowed deep into his heart as her tears dripped onto his skin, scalding him with her emotions as she continued to cry softly.He could keep the promise tonight, but what about the days after?When she became a guardian?
Chapter 16
Mindandheartreeling,Daya watched through Ember’s eyes as Connor carried Veda across the fortress grounds and into the central keep.From the tight wind of her arms around his neck, it was clear that it would take an order of magnitude to tear her away from him.
Through their new bond, she had monitored the intensity of sensations bombarding Veda throughout the day.The earth, the guardian magic, the mental connection to Daya and the hawks.Fighting the pull toward the mountain had been on the verge of harming her as her fear escalated.
It wasn’t until Connor had embraced her that Veda had let go of the fight, her emotional energy turning to a different target.Hope, joy, and relief had crashed through Daya with breathtaking ferocity as Veda was reunited with Connor.Everything had dimmed in comparison, completely overshadowed in the moment.
As Veda calmed in the safety of Connor’s arms, so had the magic, settling into a much more peaceful coexistence.She was grateful for Veda’s sake yet worried about what the cusp of change would bring for all three of their futures.
Watching Connor in motion as he fought his way through the compound had been an unexpected emotional storm as well.A current of humming intensity now balanced out his lighthearted nature.
A cold mask settled over Connor’s features as he moved with a single-minded focus that let nothing interfere with his intended mission.He was meant for much more than hiding on her mountainside.Seeing him in violent action meant she couldn’t ignore it any longer.Doing so would be a disrespect to him.To both of them.
It had solidified the realization that he was highly skilled and dangerous.A magnificent warrior she’d only glimpsed the day she’d found him.Her nerve endings flared with heat as she remembered the feeling, the intimacy, of all that intensity directed solely at her.She’d been right all along.Her sky hunter was an incredibly worthy mate she’d remember with longing for the rest of her life.
Disconnecting from her avian counterpart, Daya sagged with relief against the boulder and tried to breathe away the shattering emotions bombarding her.With the raid coming to an end, she needed to get down to the fortress and help lead the exit, but she needed a moment to gather herself.
She kept her consciousness fully linked but not melded with Ember.Being part of an attack was different from simply flying with the hawks.The pull on her senses was heightened in an extreme way.She stretched her neck and rubbed her temples around her eyes to soothe the throbbing strain.They didn’t have such experiences often enough to make her used to the sensations.
The hawks continued to fly in patterns above the now quiet compound as they kept guard from the air.Numerous dead littered the ground, but there was no movement or other visible threats.After a few moments of complete stillness, her alertness ebbed from pursuing an active threat to watchfulness.
Her mountain range was usually a quiet, harmonious swatch of nature that was a joy to guard.Stories of war and dissent had been handed down through the line of guardians.They’d held weight with the equally ancient stories of a land brimming with magic.The light and dark pieces of their history stretching back to their very origins.
Though the beginning of her reign as the acting guardian had been calm, recent events made her fear that darkness was beginning to sweep the land once again.The mountain hadn’t called for multiple guardians since the time of great strife.Whatever turmoil was coming, she would be needed more than ever.As would Veda.
Her would-be apprentice was incredibly young.Certainly, the youngest she’d ever heard of being called.Clinging to Connor, weak from the separation illness and her captivity, she appeared even more gentle and innocent.Daya wouldn’t just be training a new guardian; she would be parenting one.
Anxiety rushed through her in a taxing wave.It had been the sacrifice of her fertility that had been the hardest burden to bear over the years.She’d always wanted a mate and a child.Even after a century of guardianship, the yearning hadn’t waned, she’d just figured out how to live with it.
If Veda chose to stay, part of that long held desire would be fulfilled.The fact that she was a daughter to Connor in all but blood made it so much more meaningful.Daya wouldn’t be mentoring from a detached distance, the way her predecessor had.Veda was the child of Connor’s heart.Of her own.Family, as much as she would be Daya’s apprentice.
Nerves assuaged her as she stood and began to pick her way down the mountainside to join the rescue on the ground and meet her new charge.
Ereven’s reassuring voice sounded in her mind.We’ll help with the hawklet.
Maneuvering carefully over the broken wall, she set foot on the fortress grounds for the first time.Taking a precious moment, she pressed her hand to the bare earth and released a bit of magic in greeting.The land absorbed it as if in drought.
We need to cleanse this place.Renew its harmony,she said.
Hannelore sparked and warmed, radiating pleasure and approval through their connection.Later, once the others left for home, she would need to return.This land was her responsibility.Somehow, she needed to reclaim it and ensure it was used for a new purpose.To further healing rather than harm and destruction.How exactly she would manage that, she had no idea.
Softvoicesgroundtoa halt as Daya entered the main hall.The children startled as she stepped into view, the oldest boy jumping up to stand in front of the others.
“It’s alright, Gavin.Daya is with us.”Sev settled the children quickly, reassuring them she was with the rescue team and voicing approval of the teen’s protective instincts.
“You’re Daya?”Veda peered at her with exhausted but intently assessing eyes.“Connor said I’m supposed to stick with you until he comes back.”
Mad as he was at her revelation about Veda’s calling, he’d still vouched for her, entrusting the girl’s safety to her.A tendril of affection wound through her and robbed her of speech.She cleared the thickness from her throat before responding.
“Yes.We’ll stay together.”For the journey and hopefully a whole lot longer.
Veda nodded her acceptance as Cass strode through the shadows near the stairwell.
