Chapter 34
Sacred Valley, Hannelore Mountain, Realm of Eldridge
Spring bloomed full of color on the mountain. Daya’s time was equally full with teaching Veda how to care for the sacred land that had been put in their care.
Every so often, she was overwhelmed with grief, missing Connor, but she’d come a long way over the winter months since she’d broken down in tears.
She knew Veda had similar moments and would go off by herself with Neka.
Daya’s method of handling the overwhelming emotions was to disappear into the guardian sanctum.
Spending time alone, communing with Hannelore in the innermost heart of the mountain helped her to center herself. The need had been building for weeks, and she finally couldn’t take it anymore.
Hiking into the valley, she breathed in the scented air and immediately felt better. She brought Veda to the sanctuary often, but Daya’s distress was personal, and she needed to be alone this time.
She would be blocking everything else from her mind once she entered to focus wholly on her connection to the mountain. The hawks could fly inside and get to her if there was an emergency but wouldn’t be able to speak to her mentally until she re-opened the connection.
Nearing the entrance to the sanctuary, Daya reached out to Veda, who was exploring at the lake’s edge nearby. Going in. Stay with Neka and have Ereven get me if there is a problem.
Ember had been gone when she’d risen at dawn. A bit unusual, but given her capricious moods of late, not surprising either. Ereven had dismissed her concerns, assuring her that Ember would return by nightfall.
We’re good, Veda reported.
Just as Connor had predicted, Veda and Neka had formed a strong bond.
The two were rarely apart. Neka had even been shifting her hunting times to spend more time with Veda.
Every so often, she would wake to find Neka curled on the floor by Veda’s bed instead of in her nest. The owlcat sensed when Veda was having nightmares and always came to comfort her, just like she’d done for Raiden.
I will guard her, Ereven told her. Go.
After thanking him, Daya closed off the connections and let her mind focus. Stepping through the veil into the sanctum brought the unique calm purposefulness it always did. She let the feeling hum around her as she made her way to the deepest part of their sanctuary.
The chamber at the heart of the sanctuary was deep inside the earth. The walls shimmered where minerals shone through and small crystals glowed softly. The same mist that made up the veil that guarded the inner guardian sanctum drifted melodiously around the space.
The cold mist swirled around her in greeting when she entered. Kneeling in the soft earth, Daya opened the path in her mind to Hannelore. Power pulsed and hummed, her heartbeat slowing to sync with the steady rhythm.
The strength of the connection took over her senses. Her identity as a guardian came to the front, the purpose and calling filling her completely. The pain dimmed, washing away under the infusion of magic.
Rightness settled around her like a cloak, the weight of grief lifting away. The need to be one, to be at peace, filled her. She didn’t speak with words, simply absorbed the essence of the mountain and let it flow around her, melding with her own essence.
Renewing and affirming her calling as a guardian. Her heart might still ache, but she was where she belonged. Who she was meant to be.
Emerging from the guardian sanctum, Daya breathed in the fresh air with a new sense of peace. The air was warm with spring sunshine even as the sun began to set.
A spark of bright light and hope settled in her chest. Everything was returning to the way it should be.
Movement caught her eye, and she turned toward the grove of trees some distance away.
No. It couldn’t be. No, no, no.
Not when she’d finally regained her equilibrium. Her sense of self.
Despite her silent protests, Connor walked out of the trees wearing traveling clothes, a single pack on his shoulder, and his amethyst sword across his back. He looked nearly the same as the day he’d left.
Ember flew above him, her allegiance clear with each beat of her wings.
Deep inside, her heart pounded out of control. Her mate had returned. Still, she froze, unable to step towards him. Terrified of what it meant.
Veda had no such reservations. Her scream of delight echoed through the valley. She ran past Daya in a blur of motion, the air rippling around her as she practically flew past.
“Connor!” Veda’s voice was a sob of joy.
He caught her when she launched herself at him, much as he had so many months ago at the fortress. His face was a mix of joy and heartache as he hugged her close. Tears glistened when he opened his eyes to look down at her, talking too softly for Daya to hear.
Neka interrupted their moment with a roar, pouncing at Connor and taking him and Veda both to the ground. She licked his face as he ruffled her fur.
“You came back!” Veda said gleefully.
“I did,” Connor agreed.
Veda hugged him again once he sat up. “I’m so happy you’re here. We missed you.”
“Me too. I brought Opal with me. She’s back at the house with Ryan if you want to go see her. You remember my teammate, Ryan, from when we first found you? He traveled with us.”
“Yes, I remember him.” Can I, please!? Veda sent to her.
Yes, but stay put once you get home. Ereven will go with you.
“Okay.” Veda grinned at both of them in turn. “Come on, Neka!”
The girl and the owlcat took off running toward the valley’s entrance.
Still frozen to the spot, Daya swallowed the lump of terror lodged in her throat. She’d just gotten her world right again.
Vibrant eyes held her gaze as Connor stood and crossed the distance between them. Each step he took connected them closer and closer to what they once were.
Her heart soared even though she couldn’t bridge the chasm that had opened between them. It was wider since they’d each returned to their respective lives. More dangerous to cross than ever before.
“Breathe, anaiah. You’re looking a little worried.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked, voice cracking.
“I once began a conversation with Hannelore that I intend to finish.”
He couldn’t possibly mean to approach Hannelore to become a guardian… but she saw the truth in his eyes. The deep green of the forest was intense and focused, more serious than she had ever seen them as he met her gaze.
She couldn’t help but feel that there was a great deal more Raiden in him than there had been when he’d left. The harsh facade of the warrior had shifted and changed somehow. As if he’d settled into someone new.
“I failed a test before, but I didn’t understand what was happening at the time,” he said. “I wasn’t ready, then. But I’ve changed. You changed me. The girls did. Losing my memories brought me back to life.”
“It could kill you.” If he initiated the commitment ceremony without it being right, the energy could destroy his soul. The transformation process was incredible but in no way harmless. Her worst fear come to pass.
“Anaiah.” His tone lilted with a caress. “Do you believe I belong here?”
“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate, but her opinion didn’t matter. If they were wrong… if Hannelore disagreed… it would end them both.
“I do too.” He reached out to touch her face, smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I need you to trust me.”
Worry dredged her stomach at the risk he wanted to attempt, but she knew she couldn’t stop him. Not this time. The small, secret, hopeful part of her didn’t want to.
Hannelore loomed in her mind, anticipation roiling, yet silent and still. The mountain was waiting to confront Connor.
“Be sure,” she whispered.
Connor leaned in, his gentle hand still holding her face. “I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Let me go, Daya. Let me be who I was meant to be, even if I die in the attempt.”
That was why Ryan had come with him. To take care of Opal if things went wrong. He’d thought through the consequences. The potential repercussion of his death. Yet he stood with determination to meet Hannelore.
She closed her eyes and pressed her head to his for a moment. Breathing in his scent and feeling his heartbeat close to hers. Steadying herself in his strength and surety, she stepped back and released the grip she had on his arm.
“This way.”
Leading him through the guardian complex, she brought him to the above ground chamber that mimicked the one she’d been in earlier. It was a place of connection open to the elements, without a door to seal it off. Velentha trees bordered the entrance, and shadows blocked all view of the interior.
Only a full guardian could enter the deep earth chamber she used by herself. This one was open to all who needed to commune with Hannelore.
Connor removed his pack and retrieved a parcel wrapped in cloth. “Hold on to this for me. There are things you’ll need in there for Opal.”
She took the pack from him, glad that he didn’t finish the sentence. Her worry must have shown through, because he pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“Sometimes the soul knows better than the mind, anaiah.”
Please, let that be true.
A blend of Connor and Raiden looked at her when he stepped back. His lips pulled into the hint of a smile, his eyes serious, steady confidence pouring from him. Without another word he walked away, stepping through the dark veil and into Hannelore’s clutches.