Page 54 of Veiled By Smoke (The Nature Hunters Academy #5)

Rory’s heart twisted. She shook her head, brushing a stray curl from Aurora’s cheek.

“My memory was taken from me when our parents were killed and a witch named Danni kidnapped me. She made me believe she was my mother.” Bile still rose in her throat any time she thought about Danni and all she’d put Rory through.

And now that she knew all that Danni hadtaken from her, it was like a fresh wound.

“Penny, the witch who you stayed with and who’s a tad crazy, helped me with a memory block and gave you back to me.

That’s the only way we knew to even look for you. ”

Fern’s hand tightened on Aurora’s. “You’ve always felt like something was missing in your life. I think now we know what that was.”

Kimba’s voice had softened, the dragon queen’s usual bite replaced with ancient kindness. “There’s so much both of you lost. Aurora, you don’t remember your parents. But now Rory does. And with our bond, I can help you share those memories. If you want.”

Aurora blinked, hope flickering in her eyes. “You can do that? Really?”

Rory nodded, drawing a shaky breath. “If you want. It’s yours to know.”

Kimba knelt, taking one of Rory’s hands and one of Aurora’s. The dragon magic rose, swirling golden and electric through the room, and the cave faded.

They were in a sun-drenched kitchen, the air warm with laughter and the smell of fresh bread.

Rory remembered this—her mother’s arms around her, her father’s gentle hands, the hush of love in every movement.

Baby Aurora, tiny and wriggling, was cradled in Rory’s lap, her parents beaming, pride and joy shining in their eyes.

“You have to be careful, little flame,” her father’s voice echoed, deep and kind. “Your baby sister is precious. Protect her. Love her.”

Their mother pressed a kiss to Aurora’s brow, her voice thick with wonder and devotion. “You are both our hearts. No matter what happens, you’re never alone.”

The memory faded, warmth lingering like a blessing. Rory blinked, tears slipping down her cheeks. Aurora stared at her, wide-eyed, tears shining in her lashes, too.

“I wish I had known them,” Aurora whispered. “For so long there’s been this emptiness inside of me. But now, I feel them. I feel you.”

Rory hugged her fiercely, pressing her cheek to Aurora’s hair. “I know what you mean, sis. You’re not alone anymore. I swear it.”

Fern cleared her throat, her voice thick. “I know you need to be with your sister, Aurora. I always knew this day would come. But—” she brushed a tear from her cheek, “—let me visit? Let me love you, even if it’s not every day?”

Rory reached across, squeezing Fern’s hand. “Thank you, Fern. For everything. For loving her when I couldn’t.”

Kimba nodded, gentle but firm. “It’s truly best. Aurora needs to be here—she needs family, and she’ll need guidance. But Fern, this isn’t goodbye. You’ll always be welcome in our home.”

Fern hugged Aurora tightly, rocking her gently. “You’ll always be my sunshine, Aurora. Promise you’ll let me come see you. Promise you’ll remember you’re always loved.”

Aurora’s voice broke as she whispered, “I promise. I love you, Fern. You’ll always be my mom.”

Fern kissed her hair, then pressed Aurora’s hands into Rory’s. “You two take care of each other, alright?”

“We will,” Rory whispered, drawing Aurora close.

As the embers glowed in the hearth and shadows danced along the stone, Rory let herself ache for everything they’d lost—and hope, fiercely, for what they could build together from here.

K imba watched the two girls as they talked quietly.

Aston had made his exit, like the gentleman he was, letting his mate do some much needed bonding.

She’d taken Fern back to her home after a long hug between her and Aurora.

And now she could see Rory just soaking up every detail of her sister.

It was remarkable how alike they looked.

And she could tell that as Aurora got older, she would favor Rory even more.

“I’m going to let you two catch up,” Kimba told them as she stood and headed toward the front of the cave.

“Thank you, Kimba,” Rory said, her voice full of sincerity.

There was a whole lot of meaning in those two words, she felt it through their bond.

Kimba looked at the young woman who’d come to the dragon realm as a broken girl in need of love and healing.

Now, staring back at her was the result of what happens when someone walks through the fire and comes out refined.

Rory’s eyes, once lost, were now filled with fierce determination.

The chip she wore on her shoulder like armor was gone, and in its place was the confidence of someone who knew their worth, but also knew the worth of others.

She was a force to be reckoned with when it came to those she cared for, and Kimba was thankful that she would continue to get to see the woman that Mother Gaia was growing her into.

Every battle they faced would define her character and mold her into the woman she was becoming.

Every victory and every failure would either tear something in her apart or make her stronger.

Kimba had no doubt it would be the latter.

Kimba moved through the winding corridors of the cave, letting the thrum of old magic and the lull of distant voices fade behind her.

The warmth and laughter of the main room were like an echo now, replaced by the hush and flicker of the firelight that spilled from the small sanctuary she and Osiris shared.

She paused at the threshold, watching him for a moment.

Her mate, her miracle, her heartbreak, and her hope.

Osiris sat on the edge of their bed, elbows on his knees, head bowed as if the weight of a thousand years threatened to pull him through the stone itself.

He looked up as she entered, those fathomless eyes finding her instantly, as if he’d known she was coming before she’d even set her course.

She crossed the room in three strides, sinking between his knees.

Her hands, always strong, trembled just a little as she cupped his face.

He leaned into her touch, and for a moment, she simply breathed him in, the scent of smoke and earth and something ancient, something hers.

Osiris’s voice was low, rough with the ache of memory.

“Sometimes I think about what I lost, Kimba. When I took the throne in hell, I thought I could hold on to myself, but the darkness swallowed me. I forgot you. I forgot I even had a mate. All those centuries, I ruled alone, and I didn’t even know what I was missing.

There was a hole, but I didn’t know it was you who filled it.

” His eyes glistened, vulnerability laid bare.

“It wasn’t until I got free, until the memories started to come back, that I realized what I’d lost, what I’d left you to grieve.

And for that, I am eternally sorry. I need you to know that. ”

Kimba’s heart twisted. She traced her thumbs along the lines of his jaw, a smile trembling on her lips.

“I grieved you, Osiris. I thought I’d lost you forever.

When Sepheron made me a dragon, I thought it was a new beginning, a way to forget.

And it worked, for a while. The memories faded like a dream.

I didn’t remember I’d had a mate at all.

Not until Sepheron said it was time, not until he brought you back and the truth flooded in. ”

Osiris cupped her hands in his, holding on as if she was the last true thing in his world.

“I wish I’d been stronger. I wish I’d found my way back to you sooner.

But every day, since the memories have returned, I fall in love with you all over again.

The woman you are now—the queen, the dragon, the soul bonded—she humbles me. I’m proud to be the man at your side.”

A tear slipped down Kimba’s cheek, and she let it fall, unashamed.

“I’m not the girl you lost. I’m not even the dragon Sepheron made.

I’m something new, something forged by Gaia herself, and I wouldn’t trade any of it—not if it meant losing you again.

Being with you, working beside the others, fighting for something bigger than myself—I feel myself healing, Osiris.

I feel the purpose Mother Gaia put in us.

We are exactly where we are meant to be. ”

He pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers.

“We are. And I would give anything to have tonight—just tonight—to show you over and over again how much I love you, how fiercely I’ve missed you.

” His lips brushed hers, lingering, promising.

“But the Devil’s Heart calls. The gate is open, and the others are waiting.

As much as I want to lose myself in you, our purpose comes first.”

Kimba smiled, fierce and full of fire. “Together, then. Every battle, every breath. You, me, and all the world hanging in the balance.”

He rose, taking her hand, and together they moved from the warmth of their cave into the cool, tense night—two souls once lost, now found, ready to face whatever darkness waited at the gate, side by side.