Energy began to build again, surrounding Veda with magic not her own.The air thickened and churned, rain flying in all directions within the confines of their new garden.
Daya sucked in a breath as she watched the subtle changes build in the atmosphere.She reached out to Veda only to hit an impenetrable wall.
Veda’s voice strengthened the magic billowing around her as she chanted softly, her words vanishing into the storm before Daya could interpret them.Energy wove around her like a vortex as the air spun around her body and channeled down into the earth.The ground began to groan, dozens of small cracks opening at her feet.
Despite the wall, their connection remained, and Daya felt the intensity of channeling so much raw magic.Of being bound to the mountain.She watched the transformation in awe as Veda was consumed with light, her image blurring as sparks lit the air around her.
A haze of blue and green light swirled from the cracks in the ground, pushing to breach the surface.Veda’s heightened voice was swallowed by a boom of thunder.Light lit up the sky to reveal roots growing out of the ground, twisting and twining until a sapling rose that stood as tall as Veda.
The trunk of the tree glowed with light as it took its final shape, the two halves meeting before splitting into a dozen branches of blue and green leaves.
It was just like the trees in the sacred valley.Extending the mountain’s reach and magic to reclaim the area that had been stolen.Transforming Veda into what she was meant to be.
The young guardian wavered, the mass of energy taking everything she had as she channeled the power of the mountain entirely on her own for the first time.Feeling her rapidly weakening through their bond, Daya bolted toward her, catching her just as she started to fall.
The momentum tumbled them both to the ground.Breathing hard with fear for Veda, Daya held the girl close.You’re okay.I’ve got you.
A flutter of feeling along the bond was the only response as Veda lay unconscious in her arms.It was enough.Relief washed over Daya, adrenaline leaving her shaking.
Sitting in the mud with the rain pummeling them, Daya stared up at the newly born tree that still glowed softly with dwindling magic.
A new tree for a new guardian.
They’d both been so wrapped up in the magic of transforming the fortress into something new that she hadn’t realized the shift at first.It had been too late to stop when she’d realized what was happening.
Daya wondered at the timing.At the significance of it growing here, instead of in the grove with the others.Of the entire ritual occurring here rather than in the mediation chamber at the heart of the mountain.Worry prickled at her over the difference as she hugged Veda close, the need to protect her rising strongly.
All is well,the mountain reassured her.She is ours now.
Sealed to us?she asked.
Yes.Forever.
Daya stared at the young guardian in her arms.This wasn’t the way it was supposed to happen.Too young.In the middle of the wilderness, in a storm.A place of recent trauma.
Of rebirth,Hannelore corrected.Her choice.
It was sooner than expected, yet she couldn’t deny the rightness flowing through all of them.Veda was truly one of them now.She hoped the girl wouldn’t regret the choice when she woke up.
Chapter 28
Thrashingawake,Connorstumbledout of bed and moved toward the basin of water he’d left on his dresser.Splashing the chilled water over his face brought him fully awake, though his heart continued to pound.
Veda.Something was wrong with Veda.
He reached for the soul-bond with her even as he told himself it was just a nightmare.The threads vanished as he tried to follow them.No!
Veda was gone.Or at least, her mortal ties were.Cut as if they never existed.She must have transformed into a guardian, like Daya.
Grief welled in his chest, overwhelming him.How could the bonds be destroyed so easily?
Breathing hard, he clutched at the new stone necklace he wore.His last remaining connection to his soul-daughter.Tendrils of love sifted into his soul.
He tried to let them soothe the rift in his heart.He’d known it was only a matter of time before the mountain severed their connection, but he’d underestimated how badly it would hurt.
A feathery brush of distress came through his bond to Opal.Kavesh.If it didn’t happen frequently, he would worry that the energy from his nightmares was filtering through to her.He suspected tonight the source was different though.Veda had been like a sister to her.
Throwing on a soft shirt and pants, he walked through the quiet, darkened keep to her room.She’d curled into a little ball in the center of her bed.The opposite of Veda, who was vocal and emotional, his little horse whisperer tended to be silent and stoic when she was upset.
