“But…,” Shim went on, “…you’re also wrong about something else.” When she raised her own eyebrows in confusion, he explained. “Narcissi didn’t make you a Guardian, you did. The goddess identified that you were ready for this, but you’ve been preparing your entire life to serve Her in this way. You were born to be a Guardian.”

Warmth flowed into Soraya’s chest, and she was afraid her emotions would betray her if she spoke, so she only nodded, hoping he could sense her gratitude at his words.

He clapped his hands, loud enough to make her flinch. “Now, first things first. A toast!” When she looked at him questioningly, he said, “Have you forgotten it’s time for our weekly dose of godsblood?”

Soraya’s face reddened, because amidst everything, she had forgotten. Completely. “No, of course not,” she lied, careful not to disturb Morg as she located two small vials of glowing liquid. She handed one to Shim, who raised it as they spoke together: “The Forsworn shall be bound to Her as the Protectors of the Fruit, The Guardians of the Blood, and the Sightless for all of their days.” They clinked their vials together and then drank deeply with their eyes closed, relishing the sweet liquid and the immediate sensation of warmth and release that spread through their bodies.

All members of the Forsworn partook of a small portion of Narcissi’s godsblood once a week. The amount and the frequency had been determined by Cintra long ago, the perfect balance to lengthen their lives, strengthen their bodies, and gradually build their power. In Shim’s case, his unnatural strength, and for Soraya, the ability to see into others’ memories. Consume too little and the effects would suffer. Consume too much and, well, the effects could be disastrous. The effects of the godsblood were different for different people, and even more different for creatures of the wood, like the morgoth or the deranged bear they’d been forced to kill. Since becoming a Protector, Soraya had never missed a dose.

Usually, the godsblood would also heal any injuries she’d suffered recently. Unfortunately, the wounds she’d suffered at the hands of the bear would require time and patience, for godsblood could not heal damage caused by creatures filled with Narcissi’s Light.

Shim sat beside her on the log, eyes shining more gold than usual due to the godsblood roiling through his system. Errol immediately scurried up his arm to his shoulder, where the spider perched happily. They rested together for a while in silence, soaking up Narcissi’s goodness and light, the sweetness of Her life-giving blood lingering on their tongues. Finally, Shim said, “Tell me what you saw inside the bear.”