Page 102 of A Trial of Fate

“Ah, the little sister wants to play?” Talon taunted. “Well… pick a partner.”

“Who said I was playing this shifter game of bag… toss?” Castor asked with a skeptical look on his face.

Rhea turned to him and said, “The females always give a kiss to the winners… And there will be plenty of those here tonight.”

“Well, why didn’t you lead with that?” Castor sprang to his feet. “Let’s set this up.”

Other pack members were beginning to arrive at our home, and I happily greeted each and every one of them. Some gave me grateful thanks while others gave me warnings. In my heart, I knew that each one of them tried in their own way to wish me luck.

The cold, hard fact was that the wilt was beginning to spread. A month ago, it was only visible in the coral reefs and along the shoreline, but now it was moving onto the mainland. Trees were turning brown and withering to dust, along with flowers and some of our recent crops. We didn’t have any magic to stop it. The only thing my people had was me.

As the night continued, musicians gathered along the tree line and lively songs filled the evening festivities. My friends and family all danced with glee, and we took turns enjoying the freedom of the music and electricity of the night. I danced with Rhea, Neera, and Julia for as long as my feet could muster. To my relief, a slower-paced song flowed with a softer melody that pulled you into a tranquil, swaying rhythm.

“Would you dance with me, Spitfire?” Daxton appeared at my side with his hand held out to me.

“I’m not sure I can walk, let alone dance and keep up with your gracefulness, Dax.”

“Then I shall help carry you,” he answered with a playful grin I could not turn down. “Please?”

“All right, just one more, and then I’ll have no choice but to sit down.” I placed my hand in his and followed him onto the grass-filled dance floor.

“Whatever you need.” And I knew he meant it.

Stars danced above our heads, twinkling with starlight that sparkled against the blackened sky and a bright beaming moon. There was a distinct shift in the evening—turning from dusk to the later hours belonging to the nocturnal creatures that lived their days concealed by the mysterious darkness. Cool wisps of air tickled the base of my neck as my hair flowed across my shoulder and fell across the front of my face. Daxton took notice and reached up to brush it aside for me, delicately tucking a strand behind my ear. His knuckles brushed against the curve of my cheek, sending bursts of electricitythrough his lingering touch. Heat rose in my center as he locked his gaze with mine. Taking my hand, he led us toward the musicians.

Couples flocked to either side of us as the melody softly flowed in a tranquil rhythm, our bodies swaying in beat with the song as our feet glided over the worn grass. Daxton held my left hand as he placed my right atop his broad shoulder. His eyes lingered on the mark he had made on my wrist, his finger gently tracing over the scar. It sent waves of sensation surging through my body with my animal’s presence keenly piqued and on high alert. He pulled me in close to his frame, placing his free hand on the small of my back as he effortlessly guided me through the steps to an unknown dance.

His ease and ability to step in perfect rhythm with the music surprised me. I felt weightless, with Daxton leading me through a new world created solely by the entrancing melody that echoed through the night. We swayed to the rhythm of the music, never once taking our eyes off each other. I bent my head to rest on his shoulder as I breathed in deeply, sinking further into a peaceful rhythm that made the world stop. The feeling of being carried in his arms to the harmony of the music was magical.

There was no definite answer, but I could see a difference in him that I hadn’t noticed before. He was open, honest, and above all… genuine with me. Showing me a vulnerable side that I felt no one was ever really able to see, and it made me want to do the same.

But, what was I thinking?

Gods help me. What was I doing?

I came to a stop. My heart fluttered in my chest as my breathing became rapid and uneven. Fuck. I was about to leave Solace and travel to the Inner Kingdom to enter trials that no one had survived. Gods, no one had survived the first one, and yet I was supposed to win all three? Every shifter before me had failed and died.

I dropped Daxton’s hand and tried to steady my shaking limbs.

“Skylar, what is it?” Daxton immediately sensed my distress. He reached out to try and pull me back toward him, desperate to help in any way he could.

I knew he meant well, but I couldn’t allow this. No… that wasn’t the whole truth. I could not allow myself to even imagine this, whatever this was.

I put my hand on his chest to push him away. “I… I just need some air. I need to be alone for a moment. This is all just—”

“Take all the time you need,” he answered in a flat tone, sincere concern flooding his expression. I could tell he wanted to reach out and close the distance between us, and I would be lying if I didn’t want that, too. But… I couldn’t. We couldn’t.

I turned away, shutting my eyes, unable to look at him without confessing my selfish desires that I knew were foolish to even imagine.

I ran.

Sprinting through the woods, I lost myself to the wilderness that swallowed me whole. I was a fucking fool. Trying to distract myself with the thought of or imagining feelings for Daxton was naive. I was no more than a hopeful cure for Daxton and Castor. Yes, I trusted them to keep me alive, but I also knew theyhadto. If I died before competing in the trials, then it would be another century of offerings to the queen and the potential destruction of their world before they could find another to replace me.

That was it, right?

It was foolish to hope or even imagine anything different. My head was spinning from the dancing, the wine, and every raw, complex emotion I was feeling. I cursed myself for allowing a romantic emotion like this to creep into my mind. Besides, I had already fallen for that once before. I had almost given myself to a male who only wanted me for my magic, and I was never going to allow myself to be used like that again.

My animal stirred, and I could feel her try to influence me to turn around and head back toward my home. However, I was not in the mood to listen. Instead, I picked up the hem of my dress and ran until the melody of the music faded away to the sounds of nature. Crashing through the trees and various brush, I found a small clearing to calm my nerves.

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