Page 125 of A Trial of Fate

“Yes, and it was an absolute bloodbath.” Daxton’s eyes glossed over, and I could see him falling back through time. “As high prince, my father was supposed to lead the front, but his grief hindered him. He practically lost his mind over our mother’s death. There was no other option—I had to step in and lead in his place. Our enemies were everywhere, and worst of all, the wilt was beginning to spread against our backs. We had been fighting for nearly a week straight. The strength of our forces and magic were non-existent at that point, and my powers were nothing but a mere memory. But still, we continued fighting. We had to.” Dax released my hand and closed his eyes, trying to focus.

“What is it, Dax?” I asked with concern as I knelt before him.

“It’s… I can’t remember the details.”

“I imagine you must have blocked it out or were too exhausted.”

“No, it’s not that.” He stood up and began pacing. “I can’t remember. Why? Why can I not remember?” His brows furrowed, with two lines of frustration pinched between them.

Hell, I was confused for him. “Dax?” He didn’t respond, so I tried again. “Daxton.” I fronted him and grabbed onto his shoulder. “Breathe.” He followed my command and took in a deep breath. “Good, now just try and focus on what youcanremember.”

“Right, okay.” Dax pushed past his frustrations and began his story again. “I don’t know exactly how because we were separated when it happened, but my father fell on the battlefield.” I noticed how his fingers flexed into fists, his shoulders tensing as he recalled this difficult memory from his past. “I can close my eyes and picture him on the ground in front of me. My hand clutched in his, and with his final breath, he passed his power and reign to me.” The agonizing sadness in Daxton’s expression left me breathless, with tears threatening to stream down my cheek. “Losing my mother wounded us all… but at least we still hadhim.” I could see his eyes narrow as a single tear dared to trickled down his face. “Not a single day passes that I don’t miss them both.”

I reached up and brushed it away before it hit the ground. “His last gift was to give you the strength he had left so you could keep going,” I said in a soft tone as I held his face in my hand. “Your bravery honors their memories, Daxton. If I can see it… believe that they can, too.”

Dax leaned into the palm of my hand and nodded a silent gesture of gratitude. “I took full command of Silver Meadows forces, and we drove the human and shifter soldiers into a momentary retreat. With them gone from our shores, we refocused our efforts on the threat within. Then… I remember Minaeve.” His tone and demeanor changed at the mention of her name. He spoke in a deathly calm voice that was anything but comforting. “She appeared out of nowhere, placing herself along the border, facing off against the wilt and using her magic to weaken it and push it back.” Dax closed his eyes again, trying to recall the details that seemed to be alluding him. “Then… there was a flash, and suddenly… the veil appeared.”

“So, the divide of our races was not an agreed treaty?” The truth of that had my head spinning. We all thought the veil was constructed by the High Fae because of the treaty, but Daxton remembered it differently. “If shifters are descendants of the High Fae, why were we fighting against each other? What was the reason for any of us to be fighting in the first place?”

“Differences are easier to identify and use for reasons to isolate or hate one another, Spitfire. If I learned anything from my parents, it’s that diversity can make you stronger. They showed methat a person’s character matters most, not where they came from.”

I mulled over everything that Dax told me and tried to take it all in. “We were told the division of power and land was an agreed treaty, and we left the Inner Kingdom because of the High Fae. That your people created the veil to keep us all out.”

“It couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“How so?”

“The veil keeps the wilt contained… somewhat. It doesn’t prevent the spread entirely, but it does slow the progression. We don’t know exactly how it was made, but it was probably some kind of divine intervention from the gods combined with an immense power source.”

“You think it’s connected to the Heart of Valdor, don’t you?”

“That’s my theory. And when you unlock its power to destroy the wilt, I believe it might also tear down the veil as well.”

I sighed and leaned back. “Just add it to my list of things to accomplish.”

“No problem. Anything else you wish for me to add to this growing list?” Dax asked with a playful wink. “Tree climbing, perhaps?”

“I’m already excellent at climbing trees, so no need.”

“Different type of tree… Spitfire.” I smacked his shoulder, and he rolled with laughter.

Choosing to ignore his blatant remark, I allowed my mind to drift over everything Daxton had shared with me. His parents were victims of the wilt and the war, and it seemed like all the power and responsibility of his people, along with his brother, were thrown onto his shoulders all at once. My respect and admiration for all he had to do and continued to do each day only grew. It was hard to remember that while Dax and Castor only seemed to be my age, they were actually well over five hundred years old. High Fae were immortal, which had advantages but also carried heavy burdens. During these past five centuries, they lived through so much torment, time after time, on a never-ending journey that was shrouded in darkness. The wilt was a shadow of death lingering behind them their entire lives.

“I’m sorry,” I said, and he looked at me with a questioning stare. “I’m sorry you had to live so long in a constant battle to save our world. I’m sorry you have lost so much…”

“You don’t need to apologize, Skylar.” Daxton grasped my hands, and the world shifted around me. His eyes swirled with such depth of emotion that I didn’t know I would ever understand. “You—” His glazed-over eyes sparked with a swell of emotion, making my heart warm with a smile. “You have given me a reason tohopeagain.” His hand moved to grasp my chin as he gently stroked my bottom lip with his thumb. “Skylar, I—”

“Well… good morning, everyone!” Castor announced loudly, and I quickly retreated away from Daxton’s touch. “Ahh, what did I miss this morning? Anything interesting?”

“You missed breakfast,” I murmured.

“Oh, I ate.” Castor grinned, and I threw him one of my aggravated scowls of disgust. “Ahh, perfect. The morning is now complete with an eye roll from the shifter.” Daxton didn’t say a word as he turned to walk away.

“Where you off to?” Castor casually asked.

“We are approaching the veil sooner than we thought,” Dax answered as silver flashed around him, and he was gone.

“What’s going on with him?” Castor asked. I was staring at the last place I saw Daxton, unaware that Castor was even there or asking me a question. What was he going to tell me before Castor interrupted us? “Hello? Skylar? Hello?”

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