Page 33 of Hope Entwined (Chronicles of Aldreda: Hope Rising)

Hannelore Mountain, Realm of Eldridge

T he young refugees greeted their first morning of freedom with a mix of disbelief and enthusiasm. Celina stood under the protection of the tree line close by, watching the morning sun rise. The hawk who had attacked them just days before rested on a branch somewhere above her with sharp, watchful eyes.

The bonds between the children were easily visible, shining in their strength. Brenna sat between the older boy, Gavin, and the girl her age that Connor had found, Veda. The three had been inseparable since they’d awoken. Not surprising, after the ordeal they’d been through.

Jed was bouncing around between them, affectionately rubbing against them. Subdued conversations floated to her on the wind, along with the rare weary smile.

From across the clearing, Brenna looked up, eyes settling on her with a relieved smile, dark hair fluttering in the breeze. The other children were the same, regularly seeking out one of the rescuers.

“You’re thinking pretty hard for someone who’s supposed to be resting,” Cass said, joining her in the shadow of the tree.

“Just needed a little fresh air.”

As far as she and Rodric could tell, there had been no permanent damage from the drug they’d used on her. Or the knife to the abdomen she’d taken during their escape. He’d done a wonderful job healing her, she just wished she’d been conscious enough to witness it. She’d been unconscious or barely alert the entire journey back from the fortress.

“I scowl when I breathe in sweet mountain air too.”

“I’m not scowling, just…”

“Thinking,” they both said.

Her best friend chuckled unapologetically at her glare.

“The kids are resilient. You’re resilient. Everyone made it out safe and will recover. And by this time tomorrow we’ll be on our way home,” Cass said. “So, what’s with the pensive look?”

“Just… considering what the future holds.”

“For them or for you?”

“Both.” Celina sighed. “I belong on that council, don’t I?”

“Only you can truly say. But yes, I think you do.” Cass inclined her head toward the children. “They need more, Celina. You can help give it to them.”

“This journey, being held captive… It’s changed me.”

“You’ve always been fiercely passionate about the refugee program. You’ve only kept some distance out of fear. Of what, I’ve never been certain.”

“Not so much fear as weakness,” she admitted. “I feared being more involved would drown me in my mother’s memory. That the pain would be too much.”

“And now?”

“I’ve finally shifted away from the past. I can focus on them now. From my own heart, not just mimicking hers.” She gripped the dagger in her palm. “I’m not afraid of this anymore. Of leading.”

“They need you , Celina. Not your mother. The military has held up her legacy well. But their future needs you to shape it. The question is—do you want to? Are you ready?”

A ripple of air was her only warning before Connor appeared out of the shadow and slung his arm around her. Only years of him and Cass popping out of shadows kept her from jumping out of her skin at the surprise.

“Ready for what?” Connor asked, squeezing her shoulder. Worry laced his tone, deepening the question.

Cass stayed quiet, letting her decide if she wanted to continue the conversation.

“Ready to become a councilor for the new refugee program council they’re building.”

“You’ll be great, Cela. They need you. As a healer, you think differently than we do.” He indicated Cass and himself with a tilt of his head. “That’s more valuable than you realize.”

“I’m starting to see that.”

“Mom and Dad would be proud of you no matter what you decide.” Connor kissed the top of her head.

Celina held onto her brother tightly, forever grateful for his presence in her life.

After a few moments of peaceful quiet, Connor spoke again. “We’re having a bonfire tonight, deeper in the mountain. Daya is going to do a healing ritual with the children. Have them burn the collars.”

Celina swallowed, fingers moving of their own accord to her throat. A tremble wound through her, making her movements shake. That would be very monumental for the children and would help them begin the long journey of recovery. It's not something she would have thought to do, but she could see the potential healing in the intentional release of their experiences.

“She wants all the adults to participate too.” Cass looked at her with a hint of concern. “Are you going to be okay with that?”

“I…” The words caught as emotion rose, her stomach tumbling at the idea.

Memories assaulted her, of being bound and restrained, her voice silenced, and her magic leashed. Of being forced to choose her fate with the black collar. Tears dripped from her eyes in wet trails down her face. Cass’s hand gripped hers tightly in quiet support as Connor held her close. Taking slow, deep breaths, she let the images come, the feelings washing over her in intense and horrible clarity.

Waves of love and concern from Rodric encompassed her as he responded to her emotional spike. What’s wrong, love? Do you need me?

Cass and Connor are here, but stay with me.

Always.

Fighting the instinct to run or push the memories away, where they couldn’t hurt her, she settled herself. Rodric’s presence strengthened inside her and settled like a hug around her, reassuring her that she was safe.

Cass and Connor stood vigil beside her as she invited the emotions to the surface, accepting them for what they were—evidence of her fight, her experience, her soul. Clutching Cass’s hand, she let herself cry. For Brenna, and all the children who had suffered deeply. For the guardians who’d bled and fought for them. For herself.

After the cleansing tears had washed through her, the tight band in her chest loosened. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she tried to speak once more. “I’d like that. I need it, too. A cleansing of the past before I move into a new future.”

Cass blinked back her own tears and reached over to hug her. “You’re not alone.”

“I know.” The embrace warmed the cold places left from the battery of memories. “Thank you for following me, Cass. I couldn’t have done this without you. Without either of you,” she amended, glancing over to include Connor.

“Back at you,” he said with a wink.

Cass grinned. “You know I’m always up for murder and mayhem.”

“That is not what I meant!”

The ridiculous expression on Cass’s face, like a snarky wolf after a hunt, made her laugh, in turn spurring Cass and Connor into laughter as well. After all the tears, the laughter felt wonderful.

“You’re ridiculous,” Celina said.

“Mmm, but good with a blade. And breaking and entering.”

“I admit, those skills were helpful too.”

“Any time.” Cass smiled sincerely.

“You should get some more rest,” Connor said as he released her. “The healing rite will take more energy than you’re ready for otherwise.”

“Daya is really a guardian?” Celina asked, still a bit stunned by the revelation the others had shared with her on their return from the fortress.

“She really is.” Connor smiled, but his jaw was tight as he turned away.

It was hard for her to believe that the woman who had fought so fiercely for Connor was akin to a mythical creature. Over time, guardians had disappeared, just like magic had. But magic was returning to the people. Perhaps other ancient things were too.