“I’ve been a guardian a long time.I knew I couldn’t keep him going into this.But it still hurts.”
“Sometimes nothing is better than tearing your heart open,” Cass said honestly.“But not always.It’s a difficult choice to make.”
The confirmation of what she already knew sparked the return of Daya’s nerves, giving them motivation to continue their rapid churning.
“Thanks for that oh-so-helpful advice,” Daya joked, trying to lighten the unease in her stomach.
Cass grinned and tossed her rock in the air a few times.“Back to the original advice you asked for then… honestly, I think you’re going to have to get Connor on your side before you offer Veda her choice.”
Daya’s eyes flashed to Veda as the conversation turned back to the young guardian.“Why do you say that?”
“At this moment, their bond is stronger than what you’re offering her.You may not be able to leave with Connor, but she can.If you don’t give her a real reason to stay, and he doesn’t support it, she’ll choose him.”
“You sound sure.”
“It’s the truth.And it’s what I might have done.”
“You really would have chosen someone else over being a Wolflumen?”
“Someone who already represented love and safety to me?Yeah.I might have, given the option,” Cass said.“More importantly, once she chooses, you need to help her build a meaningful life so that she can live without regret or sorrow for what she didn’t choose.Because she will struggle with it.”
“Did someone help you do that?”
“Growing up as part of a clan, you can’t really avoid packmates turning into mentors.”Cass smiled, a host of memories in the movement.“Having others who share your calling was great mostof the time.Occasionally, though, it made me want to vanish into the shadows.Still does, sometimes.They’re an opinionated lot.”
Daya laughed with Cass at the statement, easily imagining her disappearing when she’d had enough of others’ involvement in her life and emotions.
“You’re going to be a great mentor to her, Daya.Connor wouldn’t leave her with you if he thought otherwise.Neither would I.And I probably understand more than he does what she’s choosing.Just trust yourself.And don’t feel the need to do everything exactly as it’s been done.Make it your own.”
“I will.Thank you, Cass.”
“My pack calls me by my given name—Cassia.I think Guardians and Wolflumen are sisters, of a sort.”
Warmth suffused Daya as she absorbed the offer of friendship.Of connection.To people who were different from her and yet understood the roots of ancient power and belonging that held her on the mountain.Is this what being a guardian had felt at one time?Thriving on connection, rather than isolation?
Make it your own.Accepting the offer wouldn’t diminish her value as a guardian.It might even make her better.Stronger.
“Dayanara.”She smiled and offered her given name in return.
“So, Dayanara, you sure your hawks aren’t willing to be messengers?”Cass asked, both teasing and serious.“I know the existence of guardians needs to remain a secret in general, but some of us would understand and appreciate the role you play.Wolflumen and others with ancient and unusual callings throughout the realms.”
“Definitely not.”She could imagine Ember’s indignant scoff.“But we should come up with something.I think maybe we’re stronger together than we are isolated and apart.That’s a change I’d like to see.For Veda’s future, if not my own.”
“You’re not that old, are you?”Cass’s brows dipped in puzzlement.
“Over a hundred, pup.”
Daya grinned when Cass inclined her head as if to an elder and elbowed her in the ribs.The laughter felt good after the rampant emotions she’d been sorting through.
Time would tell, but for the first time, she felt a desire to change the way things were.Daya had spent her time as guardian intentionally ensconced as her mentor had trained her.The one time she’d ventured into an outside relationship, with Draven, it had reinforced that conditioning.But maybe there was a middle ground between the open ways of old and the complete isolation of recent guardian reigns.
It wouldn’t change her fate with Connor, but it could improve her life in other ways.Of most importance was convincing Veda to stay and train as the next guardian.
Slippinginsidethehousewhen they returned, Daya found Connor coming down the hall, a packed bag hanging from his fingertips.Swallowing hard, she motioned him to follow her into the privacy of her bedroom.
“Connor, I need your help—”
“I very much doubt that.”
