Page 14 of Their Trials

“That was you running off blindly to face something you had no idea about. That was you being a complete and utter idiot, not consulting with us before rushing off to your possible death,” he growled, his eyes full of anger as he challenged me to refute him.

I shrugged, not able to argue with him. What I had done was stupid, but what other choice did I have? I couldn't just stand there while they came up with a plan. “It all worked out, didn't it?” I snapped.

I was a grown ass woman. If I wanted to risk my life doing something completely stupid, then I would. Fuck him. I went to stand, taking the hand that Baer offered me, needing a drink of water.

I laughed at that thought, my exhaustion making me more easily amused. I was completely soaked and had just spent more time under water than I ever wanted, and yet, I was thirsty.

Callum jumped in front of me. “This isn't funny.”

Finally, having had enough, I pushed past him. “Of course it isn't. I know exactly what risks I was taking, and I made the decision to take that chance anyway, like the big girl I am.”

I scooped up the water and began drinking from my cupped hands. Another thought occurred to me, causing me to laugh again, doubling over in mirth.

“What the fuck is so funny?” Callum growled out at me.

As soon as I could, between exhausted giggles, I met his eyes, “Name one thing your gonna need a fuckin' rope for.” I spat the words at him in an Irish accent, a quote from my favorite movie Boondock Saints coming to mind.

Apparently not getting my joke, Callum crossed his arms over his barrel chest and simply glared at me. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” He turned to Arryn. “Are you sure she's fully healed? She doesn't have a head injury of some sort?”

Losing my temper, the water having reinvigorated me slightly, I snapped at him. “What am I supposed to do? Were you expecting me to cry, crumbling into a ball in the corner? Was I supposed to wait for the big, strong men to come save me?”

I glared at him, now on my feet, our chests close enough to touch if I inhaled deeply enough. Have you ever tried to glare someone down that was well over a foot taller than you? Yeah, it's not easy, but I'd be damned if I didn't give it my best shot.

“If that's what you were thinking, then I'm sad to say that I'll always be a disappointment. I'll never be that type of person. I'll always do what I think is best, and there's nothing you can do to change that. I've made it this far by trusting my instincts, and I'll be damned if I start mistrusting them now.” I let that hang in the air for a moment before continuing.

“Something told me to go after him. I don't know what, but it didn't steer me wrong. I'm here. I'm alive and breathing and whole. It all worked out. Which is better than losing Lennox before we've barely even started the trials. So, forgive me for doing the right thing, but I wouldn't change a damn thing.”

“Awe, Princess, I didn't know you cared so much for me,” Lennox teased me. I spun to see him sitting up in the sand.

“Yeah, well, I couldn't let your dick get you into trouble that easily. I have plans to kick your ass in training a few more times before I let that happen,” I told him, giving him a smile to take the sting from my words.

I approached him, my eyes checking him over to make sure he was whole and safe. “Speaking of which,” I asked the guys in general. “Why didn't it affect me? All of you went into some kind of daze until that dragon took Nox.”

“Loathly Worm,” Callum growled out.

I turned to glare at him over my shoulder, arms crossed over my chest. “That was a dragon. Nothing you say can convince me otherwise.”

“The worm was a female, and it feeds on men. She seduced us with her song, and as soon as Lennox was on her back, he was effectively glued there, unable to react,” Arryn explained.

“I didn't hear anything, though,” I told him, my brow furrowing in question.

“You wouldn't. You're not the worm's type,” Callum spat at me.

“Oh. Seems you and the dragon have something in common then.” I snarked back, giving him a smile that didn't meet my eyes, batting my eyelashes at him for further effect. I knew it would aggravate him, and yet, I couldn't help myself.

“Okay. Easy now, Killer,” Baer teased with a laugh, pulling me into a side hug and easily defusing my temper. I smiled up at him; his boyish charm always made me weak in the knees.

“How are you two feeling?” Arryn asked Lennox and me. “Are you both ready to continue on, or do you need a few more minutes to rest?” His gaze bounced between the both of us.

“I'm good,” I told him honestly. “Though I think my magic is almost tapped out.”

“How?” Baer asked me.

“Well, holding an air bubble around both Lennox and I while using the water to push me through faster kinda took it out of me,” I explained.

“How did you manage to do that?” Baer asked, but he was looking at Arryn now, his brow furrowed.

“Not sure. It just kind of happened. I thought about it, and then I did it,” I explained. “Why?”

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