“I’m going to make the world a little safer for you,” he said.“As safe as I can make it.You’re worth protecting, Veda.”
“You’ll watch over Opal?”
“Yes, I will.You take care of Neka and Daya, alright?”
Veda nodded, squeezing him in another hug.
“Keep being strong and brave for me, Veda,” he said softly, pressing a kiss to her head before he stood.“Why don’t you go wake everyone else up so we can eat together one more time?”
His eyes rose to meet Daya’s, and the wealth of emotion there made her heart crack in two.After Veda left to join the others, Connor drew Daya into his arms and held her close.
“Connor—” Her voice caught as she stopped, no words enough to share what she wanted to tell him.
Instead, she held him tight.Trying to memorize the feel of his arms around her, his smell, his lips pressed to her head.The unique blend of magic, energy, and peace that defined him lapped around her with gentle waves.
Too soon, he leaned back and cupped her face.“Don’t forget to laugh and smile, anaiah.Do it for me, if not for Veda.”
“I will.”She smiled slightly as laughter bubbled up.
It had been Connor’s constant mission to bring joy to her life while he’d been with her.Did he even realize how much more he’d given her?Warmth, home.Love.Her laughter dissolved as her heart squeezed with sorrow.
“I’m sorry, Connor.”
“No apologies, no regrets, anaiah.Just treasured time.That’s what I’m taking with me.”He brushed sweet, teasing kisses along her jaw and mouth, and she could feel the smile on his lips.“Beloved, treasured time.”
“You’re taking more than that, Connor.You have my heart.”She wasn’t free to commit anything else, but he held her heart completely.
“And you have mine.I’m leaving it in your keeping for eternity, love.”
Pulling his head back to hers, she kissed him deeply, devouring everything he gave her.He shared her heartbreak, poured it into his kiss as he claimed her.More than that was overwhelming love.Though she hadn’t said the words, her heart shattered anyway.
Forthefirsttimein a century, Daya was nervous as she entered the guardian’s sanctum.Veda’s steps were tentative at her side as they wound their way through the carved pathways that led deep into the mountain.A soft light emanated from the walls as they walked, illuminating the immediate area.
The wall split in two as they rounded the final corner to reveal the entrance to the innermost area where rites and rituals took form.Iridescent magic shimmered in the air of the opening like misty rain, visible to the naked eye.To her magic sight, it glimmered with a thousand colors, just like the nature they protected.The entrance was heralded on either side with glowing engravings of two life size hawks in flight—images of the original winged guardians of Hannelore.
Ducking through the mist, Daya turned and held out her hand to Veda as her mentor had once done for her.Veda hesitated only a second before accepting the offer and stepping through the veil.Though they’d entered together before the healing ceremony, this felt different.Monumental.It was Veda’s first time entering by her own choice rather than at Connor’s request.She was truly an apprentice guardian.
Daya squeezed the girl’s hand.“Welcome home, Veda.”
Veda smiled bravely, bolstering her courage and determination as she stepped over the threshold.Her emotions rang clearer than before, the bond between the girl and the mountain—and by extension Daya, Ember, and Ereven as well—strengthening with each step forward she took in her commitment.
Countless guardians had formed the shelves, alcoves, and surfaces in the room.Etched out of living earth, the space was changeable to whatever the guardians needed it to be.There were multiple rooms in the sanctum, but this one served as an entryway.A space of transformation.The damp scent of earth filled her with a reassuring familiarity that she was home within the mountain.
Letting go of Daya’s hand, Veda turned slowly around, taking in the antechamber.Articles of clothing and robes, shelves of herbs, and a rectangular worktable took up one side of the room.The other held a bathing pool fed by one of the hot springs running through the mountain.A large outdoor pool existed as well, but for actual bathing rather than ritual preparation.
“There are different rooms inside the mountain that guardians use for different reasons.This one is to cleanse and prepare ourselves, and then you’ll remember the herbal room, where we prepared the items for the healing ceremony.”
Veda looked at her curiously.“Why isn’t Connor allowed here with us?”
The innocent question struck Daya with an unexpected force.She sought a simple but honest answer, struggling to control her personal emotions.
“The mountain chooses who it invites into its sacred space.I don’t know why it won’t allow him to be here… that’s between Connor and Hannelore.But it did invite you.How do you feel being here?”
“It feels old and important.”Veda ran her fingers gently over some loose piles of herbs that filled the shelves.“Are you sure I belong here?I know you and Connor both think I do, but what if I’m not enough?What if I can’t do it?”
Daya met Veda’s worried eyes and considered her question seriously.“You have everything you need to learn and grow.What really matters is your heart.We’re not just here to protect the rocks and trees.We’re protecting something sacred for our world.Our connection to magic, to our ancestors, to the core of the earth.The mountain sensed that your heart was what it needed in the next guardian, exactly as it is.That’s why it called you.”
“Hannelore thinks I belong here?”
