Page 42 of The Hidden Guardian

“No, I wouldn’t think of it like that.” Onai climbs to her feet, wiping dirt off her velvet skirts. “You know he feels and does more for you than just any Guardian. He disobeyed Alpha orders, and is risking his own life as forfeit for bringing you here. He must have strong feelings for you.”

I don’t know why I care. Loving him—if that’s what it’s even considered among wolves—will only result in heartbreak for me. Him loving me will only result in his detriment.

The commotion has died down and Onai rushes me back inside as wolf life resumes and people filter back to their rooms, obvious worry evident on their faces.

ChapterTwenty-Three

AUTUMN

The moisture was dense in the air from the moment I woke up. The normally dry cave now smells rich, lush, and earthy. I’m toying with another of the pretty golden flowers Renall leaves me daily when I turn to Onai. “It’s raining, isn’t it?”

“Hmm … oh, I guess it is,” Onai responds without looking.

“You can’t feel it?”

“I can sense the shift in nature, and the damp scent lingers in the air.” She shrugs.

“I can almost feel every droplet in the air,” I mumble, leaning my head on my arms feeling the soft fibers of the pink sweater I’m wearing. “You don’t think we could go outside, do you?”

Onai shoots me an incredulous look.

“It was worth a shot. I wish there was a window.”

“We’re underground, what would you be looking at? Worms?” Onai snorts.

“I said I wish,” I grumble. The rain is my favorite. Even when I had to walk to work, even when it meant the cabin was that much cooler. There is nothing better than sitting next to a window beside a wood-burning fire and listening to the sound of the rain hitting the roof. It’s soul-soothing—and it’s something I will never experience again here.

“Actually,” Onai breaks into my melancholy thoughts. “I have a surprise I hope you’d be open to.”

I lift my head, “A surprise?”

“Yeah, someone was asking how you were, and I told her to stop by. Couldn’t hurt to make some friends. Especially if this trial is going to continue on for a million moons.”

Onai isn’t wrong. Having another person to talk to would definitely keep my mind off of things. “That might be nice.”

She opens the door and the Guardian with the fire affinity who helped me get Renall out of the ice block walks inside. Cressida, her name was.

“Autumn. It’s nice to see you again.” She smiles, her red hair as fiery and bright as the flames she produces.

“I don’t think I properly thanked you for helping me get Renall melted.”

“Oh, it’s no bother at all.” She places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“It’s such a nice change of pace that someone is being nice to me and not trying to kill me.”

“We were all in that boat at some point. The wolves can’t be our only friends.”

“I suppose not.”

“Would anyone like some tea?” Onai asks, lifting a clay mug and some leaves.

“I’d love some,” Cressida responds, walking over to Onai standing by the fire.

“Oh yes.” I smile. I love tea. Tea always seemed like a luxury before. I can’t remember the last time I had a cup of good tea.

“You mentioned we were all in the same boat … are you from outside as well?”

“Oh,” Cressida blushes, her cheeks turning a few shades lighter than her hair. “Yes, I was here just after the Queen had … well, I was having these dreams. The dreams and then when I started to play with fire, the flames would blow in a certain direction, sometimes against the wind.”

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