Chapter 36
Raiden woke to find himself alone in Daya’s bed. She’d been right about his body’s need to recover from the ordeal of becoming Hannelore’s shield. Thankfully, the pain had disappeared, and his mind had settled. He felt like himself. Different. Stronger. Yet still himself.
Daya’s presence surrounded his soul. A gentle caress brought her immediately into his mind. You’re awake.
How long was I out?
Two days. Neka and I have been monitoring you.
It felt more like a week based on how hungry he was but, otherwise, didn’t feel like he’d been out for that long.
He’d held on to consciousness long enough to hug the girls when they’d returned to the house. But not long enough to talk other than to assure them he was alive. Opal must have been panicked with the severing of their bond. The way he’d been when Veda’s was cut.
Your girls are eager to see you, Daya said. I’ll keep them outside until you're ready.
Our girls.
There was a brief hesitation followed by a swell of emotion across the bond. Our girls. Ryan showed me the papers you brought. You didn’t have to name me as their guardian with you.
Of course I did. You’re mine. We’re a family. That makes you their mother. And my mate. If Hannelore had a problem with it, I wouldn’t be here. We’re doing this our way, Daya.
The desire to hold her close and kiss her while they had this discussion was strong.
Our way, Daya agreed, her gentle spirit moving against his. We’ll find some time for us later. They need you first.
Tonight.
After changing and getting ready for the new day, he made his way to the kitchen. The smell of food didn’t surprise him. Nor did the sight of his best friend standing at the counter with two mugs of tea.
Turning, Ryan stared at him for a few heartbeats before finally taking a full breath.
“Took you long enough.”
“It was a pretty bad crash,” he joked. “You must not be too mad if you’re willing to feed me.”
Ryan gave a forced laugh.
Stepping forward, Raiden reached out and pulled his oldest friend into a hug. “I’m alive, Ry. I made it.”
Ryan gripped him back. “Didn’t feel like it. The severing. It felt like you died.”
Kavesh. How had he not realized that the transformation would affect Ryan? He’d talked with his sisters at length, tried to prepare Opal. But he hadn’t thought about the impact to his teammates. Especially Ryan, who held a brother’s place in his heart.
“Ry—”
“You’re an idiot, and I love you.” Ryan let him go with a squeeze to his healed sword arm. “Did you not realize how strong our bond was? It feels like having a limb cut off.” He ran a shaking hand over his jaw.
“I’m sorry, Ry.”
“I knew it would happen, but…” Ryan shook his head. “What Thalia must have gone through with Jax, with an even stronger mate bond. Zevat, Con. I can’t imagine.”
“Me neither. But that type of bond—it’s worth it.” No amount of fear could convince him otherwise, not anymore.
“Daya is… impressive. And a good fit for you. I’m glad you found her. Found your place, here.”
“Thanks, Ry.” He smiled as he picked up the mug of tea.
Ryan pushed the plate of food toward him. “Eat so you can go see your girls. I assume I’m babysitting tonight?”
“Yes.” Raiden grinned.
His best friend rolled his eyes, murmuring something about him being lucky before finally smiling broadly.
The sun was nearly blinding as Raiden ambled outside in search of his family. He found them out by the yard, Daya watching on as the girls played with Neka. After kissing his mate thoroughly, he climbed over the fence.
The owlcat saw him first, giving a roar of greeting as she dodged the little ones.
“Da!” Opal ran to him and wrapped her arms tight around his neck as he lifted her.
“There’s my little mite. I missed you.”
Opening his arm, he gathered Veda to him as well. Held them both close. His girls.
“You scared me,” Veda whispered.
“I know. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“Daya says you’re staying. We’re going to be a family.”
“Yes, we are.”
Nervous hope shined in her eyes. “And you’ll… you’ll be my da too?”
“Yes. Is that okay?”
“It’s the best thing in the world!” Veda flung an arm around his neck, careful not to bump her sister.
He smiled and hugged her tight. “I agree.”
Impatient, Neka came and knocked him over, causing them all to tumble into the meadowgrass. Laughing, Raiden helped the girls up and sent them chasing after Neka.
Moving to Daya’s side, he stroked her cheek. His huntress was looking misty eyed herself. “You good, anaiah?”
Capturing his hand, she turned her head to kiss his palm. “I couldn’t ask for more.”
Walking through the protected forest that surrounded the guardian sanctuary with her mate by her side was something Daya never thought she would do.
Though she’d yearned for it, she’d tried her best not to hope. It had hurt too much to dream of walking with Raiden after he’d left. Yet he was by her side, power and strength emanating from him as he settled into his new magic.
After sleeping for several days, he’d awoken sure and steady. More comfortable in his own skin than she’d seen ever seen him.
The knowledge that he was who he was meant to be and was where he belonged swelled her throat with emotion. Her sky hunter was no longer lost. No longer a broken warrior. He’d found his way home. Found his purpose. That she got to share it was a gift she’d never stop thanking Hannelore for.
His gaze softened as he looked over at her. His thumb stroking over the hand he held in silent response to the emotion filling her.
With a little practice, she’d mastered the art of holding a private channel open between them that existed separately from their collective bond with Hannelore.
It had been more instinctive than she’d anticipated, which was a relief.
She really hadn’t wanted to ask the hawks for direction on how to create the separate space.
She led her mate through a set of weeping branches brought them to the secluded bank of the waterfall pool. Raiden had specifically asked about it when they’d started their walk.
Stone rose on one side, where high above them was a small ritual area overlooking the waterfall. Unlike the serenely calm lake in the glade where they’d had the healing ceremony, the water churned and swirled, constantly moving after reaching its destination in the pool.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“It’s perfect.” Smiling, he tugged her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh?”
“Hopefully it works.” He chuckled. “I haven’t had a chance to practice with my magic much yet.”
Holding Daya in front of him, he nodded to their reflection in the water. Though it wasn’t still due to the current, she was still able to clearly see the two of them.
“Watch.”
Peering at their reflection, she watched intently as the air behind them darkened and started to churn. Was he… building shadows?
Fascinated, she followed the movements of energy as the shadows formed into thicker clouds and began to move, hovering around Raiden as if they waited for his command.
Arcing curves of darkness rose over his shoulders, forming a distinct shape as they stretched out and down, gracefully coming to a point near the ground.
She sucked in a shocked breath. “Are those… wings?”
He grinned. “They’re just shadows, I can’t actually use them. But I couldn’t resist.”
Daya turned in his arms. “They’re magnificent.”
“Tell me.” His voice dropped low and sensual as he bent his head to hers. “Are they what you pictured when you named me after the legendary sky hunter?”
A guilty laugh bubbled in her chest and she smiled. “Better.”
Joy stole into her heart at the look on his face, fluttering like a playful breeze.
“You don’t think Ember will laugh?”
“Oh, she will. But I love them.”
He grinned, the wings shifting just a bit as if he was flexing his magic.
The living shadows were the embodiment of his new self, his new purpose. They suited him. Suited the legendary warrior he was still becoming.
“I discovered this part of myself, fell in love with you, as Raiden. I’ve decided I’d like to keep the name.”
“As long as you’re here, I don’t care what name you use. But I think it fits.” She brushed her fingers over the shadowy wing hovering behind him. “Raiden, Shield of Hannelore.”
The warmth in his eyes when she met his gaze was bright and hot, sending fiery energy rippling through her.
“Show me what they look like through your eyes,” she said.
The image fluttered in their mental connection and then crystalized sharply.
To his magic, what she saw solely as shadowy swaths glittered with a rainbow of dark colors—a living embodiment of the precious earthen stones Hannelore used to create their guardian armor. Manipulating the shadows, he wrapped his ethereal wings around her to hold her close.
“Keep watching.”
It was somewhat like riding with the hawks yet different.
With their minds and souls twined together, she was able to feel as well as see.
The storm of shadow billowed up and out of him as he sent his magic out—up and away, into the sky.
She watched it grow, felt his effort to direct it out around them.
It expanded over the land like a growing bubble, blanketing the area with his protection. His shield. The glade was soon surrounded by a protective orb of shadow, glistening with the dark rainbow of gem tones.
She felt Hannelore channeling through him, adding the ancient magic of the earth to his intention, powering it to cover even greater space.
This was Raiden. What he was truly meant for.
The beauty and rightness of it stole her breath.
For the first time, she truly, fully believed that he was meant to be the Shield of Hannelore.
His mate was watching him when Raiden turned his attention to her. Brown eyes, heavy with emotion. He picked up a strong sense of wonder and a bit of shock through their bond.
“What is it, love?”