Page 56 of Their Trials

“Now, was that so hard? I thought we agreed that y'all would tell me things, that you wouldn't leave me in the dark. And yet at the first bad news, you're shutting me out. You're not protecting me by keeping me out of the loop. If anything, you're putting me at a greater risk,” I chastised them, my hands on my hips. For the first time, I was mad at everyone but Callum.

“You're right,” Baer said. “I just wish you didn't have to face any of this. That we could keep you safe from it all.” He shuffled up to me, head hanging low in shame, wearing down my resistance and anger like a puppy that knew they’d done wrong. Anyone else would feel my wrath, but not Baer. I couldn't seem to stay mad at him.

I sighed. “I know. Me too,” I said, placing a hand on his cheek, leaning up to give him a peck on the lips, effectively forgiving him. “But we're in this together, right?”

“Right,” Baer said.

“Then trust me. Trust that I won't break so easily. Trust that I can handle myself. Last night won't happen again. In order to be successful, I need to know what y'all know,” I pleaded with them all, even though I was looking at Baer.

“We do trust you; it's just that we're not used to fae females being as strong as you. While we love it, it's taking us some time to adjust to that. Old habits are hard to break,” he told me. I could understand that.

“Well, hopefully you old dogs can learn some new tricks quickly because the mark is starting to burn like a bitch again.” I grimaced, rolling my shoulder to try and alleviate the pain.

“We should get moving. Once we get to the meeting location, the burning should stop,” Arryn said, starting his pace up again. Appeased, I followed him with Baer's hand laced in mine. Whatever it was that we were about to face, we would surely face it together.

Chapter Twenty Three: Rhowyn

We exited the aged, wooden door to find all the other Chosen and Consorts gathered around. Horses were standing everywhere, each saddled with their reins being held by stable hands. A quick search led me to Meadow, and I knew that this next trial would involve some traveling. At least this time, I was prepared in my soft leather pants.

Ignoring the horses for now, I continued until we were standing at the back of the group that surrounded a makeshift podium where the Queen and my grandfather were waiting for us.

Jude addressed us all. “Welcome, everyone.” The loud murmurs and speculations of the crowd quieted in response. Once he had everyone's attention, he continued, “I've received notification of the new trial. In this one, you must find the Lady of the Lake and...”

The murmurs and whispers resumed with this assignment, shock and eager tones rising through the air around us and cutting off Jude's explanation. I glanced to the guys to see the puzzled looks on their faces, though they remained silent.

Jude raised his hands to quiet the crowd again. “Please, everyone, just listen. I will explain further.”

“The Lady of the Lake is dead,” a voice called out from the crowd though I was unable to determine who spoke.

“Not according to Avalonia. The land has assigned this as the task to be completed for the second trial,” Jude said. “The Lady has apparently gone silent, though she still remains here in Avalon. Your task is to find her and receive a boon from her.”

Stepping forward, the Queen spoke, “As with the first trial, those of you that are left will be rewarded if you are the first to return with the boon. Good luck, and remember, we are all watching and cheering you on to success.”

Nodding her head at Jude to continue, he regained control of the situation. “You may keep the weapon that you used upon entering the first trial. If you lost your weapon, then you may select another now. There is no time limit on this quest, but obviously, expediency is encouraged. Any questions?”

When silence greeted him, he said, “Travel safely, Chosen and Consorts, and may Avalonia go with you.”

At that obvious dismissal, we stood still, letting the others rush off to their mounts. Following the guys' lead, I maintained the peaceful and unworried façade that they had adopted. I could sense their tension through the bond and through their subtle yet stiff movements. This Lady of the Lake must have been a big deal.

I watched as several groups rode off at a gallop, others at a more sedate pace. Once enough people had left, we started to approach our horses and the stable hands keeping them from running off.

I approached Meadow, glad to see her again. I patted her neck, taking the reins from the boy responsible for her. “Thanks,” I told him, his eyes going wide at my words.

A warm body approached behind me as I watched confused as the boy ran away without a word. “Most High Fae that belong to the Court don't bother speaking to the help. I'm sure he just didn't know how to respond, and it has nothing to do with you at all,” Lennox teased me with a whisper in my ear, sending tingles down my body.

I resisted the urge to lean back into him, instead turning to look at him. “Have the fae no common decencies? It doesn't hurt anyone to be polite.” At least that was how I saw it. In my experience, most people responded positively when they were shown respect.

Lennox leaned down to whisper into my ear. “Some do, but that's something I've never claimed. I'm purely indecent. You'd agree if you knew all the things I wanted to do to you.” He hummed as he inhaled my scent, which told him just what his words were doing to me.

“Are we going to stand here all day, or are we going to set out?” Callum grumped from atop his horse, a solid black beast, at least two hands taller than Meadow. A single white star on his forehead softened the stallion's appearance, but his impatient steps and dancing feet discredited the gentle look as Callum tried to keep the horse still.

Smiling mischievously, knowing that I was about to aggravate Callum, I leaned up on my tiptoes, my hands going to Lennox's chest as I kissed him slowly, taking my time in my exploration of his mouth. Lennox let me lead, but the grip of his hands on my hips belied his eagerness.

I hummed in satisfaction into his mouth, deepening my kiss and tangling my tongue with his, a promise of things to come. We might not have had a chance to explore each other further while recovering from the first trial, but he was not far from my mind. I had every expectation of seeing what we could do together. I knew he was good with his fingers, but I wanted to see if his promises of seduction would be everything I hoped for. His kiss was all consuming and led me to believe that he was just as skilled with his tongue.

“I hope we're not interrupting?” a soft voice sounded out, catching my attention.

I ended my kiss with Lennox, but held his gaze, whispering softly, “Soon.” I didn't need to say more. His responding smirk and sparkle in his eyes told me he knew exactly what I meant.

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