Shadows Awakening (Chronicles of Aldreda: Hope Rising #2)

Chapter 1

Hannelore Mountain, Realm of Eldridge

Golden light filtered through the mist as darkness rose, creating deep swatches of shadow. Moving with slow steps, Daya let the tendrils of fog swirl around her as she wound her way through the velentha grove.

Tall, robust trees, they were a blend of gold veined green and purple leaves. A splice of her home realm of Eldridge and the bordering rainforests of Zamyra. The brown trunks shimmered with amber streaks as she got closer, indicating they were overflowing with the sticky wild sap she loved so much.

Being so far from any town, the velentha trees were left to nature. Untouched by people. The same could be said for most of the land that fell within Hannelore’s shadow.

After weeks of traveling, Daya had completed traversing the entire shadow of her mountain. She was exhausted, but the land had benefited from the magic she’d poured into it.

In particular, this western face of the mountain had been thirsty for connection, absorbing all the magic she could spare.

The earth around her thrived with life, thanks to the extra time she’d spent.

She tried to reach every area once each season, ensuring she was able to keep an eye on the land entrusted to her to care for and protect.

A seeking screech drew her attention skyward to the beat of wings. One of her two red-feathered hawks, Ember, circled tightly above her, signaling her attention.

Reaching out, Daya opened their connection. What did you find?

Injured male. Come.

The urgency in Ember’s tone had Daya immediately changing direction to follow the path of her winged companion. Weaving through the trees, she cut through the thick of the forest rather than find an easier game trail.

Deep into the crevice of a rock, she spotted a glint of gold amongst the darker browns and greens of the hillside, the western face of the mountain holding a distinctly Eldrin coloring. Edging closer, she saw the outline of a shoulder and arm jutting out from the rock.

Ember, that’s a person!

Of course.

I thought you meant an animal of some kind.

He is your kind.

Pressing her lips together to keep from entering a circular argument with the bird, Daya shook off her nerves and studied the blond-haired man crammed into the niche on the hillside.

He was angled in a sitting position, his body partially protected by the rock. The other half was visible at a close distance. Without his bright hair, the average hunter would have missed him.

Visually tracing his arm, she saw his fingers were curled around the hilt of a powerful sword. Hitching in a breath, she debated what to do. A capable warrior, he could be a threat. Still… he was on her mountain, so she couldn’t just leave him for dead.

Drawing near, she knelt beside him. His breathing sounded shallow and ragged, hinting at the deteriorating state of his health. She wanted to wake him, but touching him was out of the question, as he’d rouse to defend himself.

“What am I going to do with you?” she murmured.

“Wondering that myself.” His voice was barely a whisper.

Green eyes met hers, bright like an emeraldis plant after a storm. Deep lines of pain and exhaustion entrenched his face. The need to care for him pulled at her, and she raised her hand to touch his face before stopping herself.

“You’re badly hurt. What happened?”

“Hunted… attacked.”

By a beast of prey, perhaps? There was a wound on his chest, but it didn’t seem to be made by claws or teeth. She didn’t want to entertain the most likely cause.

“The nearest town is too far, but there is a village close by that I can take you to. They can help you.”

“No.” His gaze bored into hers with stark intensity.

“But—”

“No people. Too dangerous.”

“For them or for you?” she wondered aloud.

He frowned, the worry intensifying on his face. “Can’t remember.”

“How about your name?”

A slow, negative shake of his head indicated the memory loss was extensive. “Just shadows. Enemies.”

Reaching out cautiously, Daya brushed her fingers along his jaw and under his chin. Tilting his head, she saw he’d received a nasty blow to the head. Blood soaked his hair, coloring the braid with darkness as it seeped down his neck.

Though much of it was dried, indicating he’d been bleeding for quite some time, the visible wound wouldn’t account for his deathly countenance. His skin was much too pale, even for someone with severe injuries. So how was he losing so much blood?

The labored sound of his breathing intensified her concern as she bent close to him. She was no healer, but the wet, strained sound of him sucking in air did not sound right.

“Let me see the rest,” she ordered softly.

Showing surprising trust, or marvelous instincts, the man obeyed and leaned into her.

Doing so forced him to draw his body out of the hidden alcove.

He panted in ragged breaths as he moved, tremors running through him.

His shoulder was completely torn up, seeping with the beginnings of infection.

The life leaking out of him made her pulse speed up.

Ember, he’s going to die if we don’t do something.

Yes. Much blood. Draw predators.

Bring Melody with my supplies. I’ll stay with him.

Of all the gifts the mountain had given her when she became guardian, why hadn’t it given her the power to heal? She’d trade any of her magics, right at this moment, for a chance to save him. Hopefully, her horse would come quickly at Ember’s beckoning.

“I’m going to help you.”

“Enemies… Risky for you.” Bent into her embrace, his breath brushed her neck in reply.

Biting off questions of who, what, and why, she leaned back so that she could look him in the eyes. The words weren’t placations. He was deadly serious. Somewhere, there was a threat still looming. Just great.

“I’m not leaving you.”

The fallen warrior smiled at her, stealing the breath from her body.

His eyes lit for a moment in a peaceful kind of joy, in complete and jarring contrast to the harsh reality.

It hit her with the force of a lightning bolt striking the earth, awakening her heart with a jolt.

The powerful energy spread through her unimpeded, waking feelings deeply hidden within her soul.

“It’s okay, anaiah.” Letting go of his sword, he moved his good hand over hers in the smallest caress. “Go.”

Shock and a bit of awe made her tremble. Who was this man, who called her his saving grace in such a sweet tone? Sending her away to protect her from his enemies.

Anaiah was an unusual endearment to gift to a stranger. Usually reserved for someone beloved. A mate.

Protecting is what she did, who she’d been since the day she accepted the call of the mountain and became its guardian so long ago.

The warriors she knew from the nearby town barely acknowledged her, let alone as someone deserving of their shield.

Yet, here, a foreign warrior looked at her as someone worth guarding.

Offering her the rarity of protection at a steep cost to himself.

He had to know the extent of his injuries was devastating.

The green depths of his gaze held her steady as her heart tumbled and fell. The grievous sensation startled her back to reality, and she sucked in some air to clear her head.

His body tensed beside hers before he launched into action, pushing her aside and regaining his sword.

“Down!” His shout made her stumble as she tried to spin around to catch the threat.

The warrior was already moving, wrenching himself up to a kneeling position and angling his body in front of hers. His sword swept through the air in a defensive arc, blocking the weapon of the soldier who had snuck up on them. Even gravely wounded, he was holding the attacker off.

A stark yell of pain indicated their attacker had found his mark.

The warrior stumbled back a step, and Daya immediately pulsed magic through the ground.

Shaking the rocks and dirt beneath their enemy’s feet and calling the roots up from deep underground.

The man lost his footing as the earth turned against him, cursing as he struggled to stand.

One breath steadied her, the second powered her throw, as she released her dagger with the exhale of air. The close range proved deadly as the blade struck home, cutting through clothes and muscle to embed in the stranger’s shoulder. The man lost his grip, lowering his sword on reflex.

It was his fatal mistake. The golden warrior jumped forward, running his sword through their enemy and dropping him to the ground. Out of breath and strength, he angled toward her just long enough to meet her eyes before collapsing next to her.

No!

She leapt to him, carefully checking his heart and lungs. He was alive, for now. A new wound on his abdomen was already bleeding profusely. The last, unmarred section of his shirt completely soaked in a matter of seconds.

A hunting cry told her Ember was back and had spotted their defeated opponent. Swooping low, she careened through the trees. The air hummed under the beat of wings, ruffling her hair as the hawk came to an abrupt halt, landing on the rock above them.

Melody comes with your healing bag. Ember showed her an image of her horse carefully maneuvering the hillside. She’d arrive within moments. Fight together?

He protected me. The concept still stunned her. We fought together.

You will keep him, then?

Laughing without mirth, she stared at the injured warrior as she put pressure on his abdominal wound.

A spark of yearning flickered to life within her soul.

As a guardian, Daya’s life was solitary and physically bound to the sacred earth she’d vowed to protect.

Her life and soul weren’t hers to give. She’d given up the right to keep anyone long ago.

Pushing away the spiraling thoughts, Daya studied his shoulder.

His forceful movements had worsened the deep injuries.

He’d be lucky to keep his arm if the new wound on his abdomen didn’t kill him before she could sew it closed.

As soon as Melody found them, she’d pack his wounds with her healing herbal paste and bind them.

It was the best she could do until they reached her home and had access to more supplies.

We’ll take him home for now.

Through the mountain, Ember suggested.

Yes. The shorter route to her home on the other side of the mountain was his only chance at surviving. He’d probably be unconscious for most of the journey through Hannelore’s inside passage, which was for the best. The path to the sacred heart of the mountain was kept hidden for a reason.

He needs a name, she mused to her winged companion. His head is damaged, his memories gone.

Ember cocked her head to the side and ruffled one wing as she studied the golden-haired man. Daya wished she could see the bright, living green of his eyes.

Fought well, like your sky hunters, Ember said.

Sky Hunters… the mythic warriors of the sky who harnessed the power of the storms, transforming into thunderbirds and defending the land until the golden sun shined once more.

Her father’s voice echoed through her childhood memories from before she’d become a guardian. His deep, crackling voice telling her favorite story every time it stormed. Daya’s hawks, Ember and Ereven, had taken a liking to the birdlike warriors of Eldrin legend.

Raiden. We’ll call him Raiden. Like the great sky hunter. He’d earned the name in his valiant efforts to protect her. He can borrow the name until he’s strong enough to remember his own.