Page 104 of A Trial of Fate

I glared at him, my power pulsing. “Iam half-human, Gilen!”

“A fact I am aware of and will generously overlook.”

That final remark struck a hole in my center, and I knew I would never look at him the same way ever again.

“I willneverbe your mate, Gilen.” A sense of tranquility washed over me as questions about us all came to an end. “I see now that even if this twist of fate did not fall to me, I wouldneverlet you claim me. If you really loved me, you would accept all of me and let me choose my own path. My true mate would never force me to do something I didn’t want to or place me on the sideline like some prize.”

“I will have you, Skylar,” Gilen growled and stepped forward, fury now burning in his eyes as he tried to reach for me again. “Ahalf-breed…will not deny my claim.” His hands grabbed me, and as much as I hated myself for not reacting fast enough, I had to keep my wits about me.

Gilen was stronger, faster, and a superior predator now that he had shifted and unlocked his animal’s true power. I didn’t know if I could fight him off.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a large hand reached out and grabbed Gilen by the throat, throwing him aside like he was nothing more than a pebble. I stared, dumbfounded at the tall, fearsome warrior that appeared out of thin air—Daxton.

His cold storm-cloud eyes were locked onto Gilen, death barreling through his gaze. He bared his teeth, releasing a low growl from the back of his throat that had the hairs on my neck stand straight. The ground began to freeze underneath me as sharp shards of ice sprang from the earth, surrounding me and encasing Gilen on the ground. A long silver sword magically appeared strapped to Daxton’s back. He grabbed the pommel and unsheathed the mighty weapon, pointing it directly at Gilen’s throat.

He spoke slowly, his voice like cold death. “Approach Skylar again and touch her without her permission… I will freeze your beating heart inside your chest and cut you down where you stand.” It wasn’t a threat. Daxton said it like a promise. “You are only still breathing because I know it will hurt her more if I kill you.”

Gilen stood from the ground, breaking through shards of ice with green shimmers of his own magic beginning to float around him.

“This does not involve you,” he roared, rising to meet Daxton’s challenge. Was Gilen on some kind of imaginary high? Why the fuck would he ever think he could answer Daxton’s challenge?Against a normal High Fae, yes, sure. But not Daxton.

“When it comes to her safety, I will do everything to make sure she is protected.”

“Again, it doesn’t concern you,” Gilen growled, and Daxton answered with his own. These two males were on the verge of killing each other. This duel would only end with death, and I was not going to let that happen.

“Enough! Daxton, I don’t need you to step in.” I stormed out between them, placing myself in front of his sword, forcing him to lower his weapon. I could feel hatred and rage emanating from every facet of his being. He was willing to kill for me, and I knew Gilen’s blood would have stained the grass beneath our feet if I hadn’t stepped in when I did. “Daxton,” I said again, looking into his eyes and searching for the person I knew hiding underneath the facade of Silver Shadow.

“I never doubted that,” Dax replied. His eyes narrowed with annoyance as he sheathed his sword, and I took that as my cue to turn my attention back to Gilen.

“H-him?” Gilen stammered. “You are siding withhimand turning your back on your own people?”

“I am siding with Valdor, Gilen! That is what you don’t understand. Daxton is on my side because we are both fighting for the same thing. We both want to heal our world and free it from the wilt.”

“Oh, really?” Gilen huffed a laugh. “That’s all? And if you decide not to go… how would the high prince react? Would he simply just let you go if you decided to be my mate?”

“That’s not even—”

“You are one of the most dim-witted, narrow-minded alphas I have ever met,” Daxton spat with an ice-cold tone. He looked at Gilen with a look of pure disgust. “I would honor Skylar’s choice. No matter what she decides, I will support her decision.”

“Why?” Gilen pressed. I could tell he was trying to get at something, but I just didn’t know what.

“Because, unlike you… Irespecther.”

Well, damn. If that wasn’t the base for a strong foundation, then I didn’t know what was.

Gilen narrowed his eyes and mumbled something under his breath. With my focus on Daxton, I missed what he said, but apparently, Daxton didn’t.

Silver flashed, and Dax reappeared on my other side, punching Gilen square in the face and knocking him backward into the ground. “Speak that way about her again, and I will end your pathetic excuse of a life. I don’t care what position you hold or what treaties still stand.”

I rushed over to Daxton’s side and desperately tried pulling him back. “Dax—”

He was shaking with rage. I wasn’t sure what Gilen had said, but I knew from the look in Daxton’s eyes that if I didn’t get him out of there, he would kill Gilen. Our soon-to-be alpha wouldn’t be an easy victory, but I didn’t want this bloodshed on my conscience. Either way it turned out.

“Take me back home, please, Dax. I am done here, and I want to go back.” Gilen rolled over and sprang to his feet. Blood poured down his face as his breathing became rapid and uneven. He was about to shift. “Please. Now, Dax!”

Daxton snapped his head toward me and looped an arm around my waist, possessively pulling me close to him. I molded into his frame as his arms tightened around me, holding me up and supporting me, just like he always did. I opened my eyes toward Gilen and prepared to speak to him for what could be the last time.

“I hope you find balance and happiness, Gilen. Become the alpha our people need to not only survive but thrive. I know… you can do this.”

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