Page 21 of A Trial of Fate

“He puts on a brave face,” the silver-haired male said, diverting my attention. “But he’s in excruciating pain… as you can see.”

“Right,” I said, not entirely buying what he was telling me. “As I said, that’s why I’m here.” I didn’t know how many more times I needed to tell them before they would listen.

“Enlighten me then. What can a mere shifter do to heal his wound?” silver hair snapped.

“She is notjusta shifter.” Shadow opened his eyes, looking directly at me as he spoke. “She’s… more than that.”

The intensity of his stare left me speechless, causing me to shudder slightly with goosebumps crawling along my exposed skin. With just one look, I was somehow instinctively drawn to him, and for a split second, I noticed his hard eyes soften as he held my attention. I lightly shook my head to try and right myself. This had to be some weird type of alluring High Fae magic playing tricks with my senses.

“Lucky for you, I’m half-human,” I said. “And by the fate of the gods themselves, I inherited, well I believe I inherited, my mother’s healing magic. So please, for probably the fifth time now, let me help. I feel bad enough for almost killing you. I’m just trying to atone for my mistake.”

The silver-haired male leaned back against the nearby mantel and crossed his arms with a cocky smirk, his dark eyes darting between me and Shadow. “She ismore… is she?” I could tell the question was not directed at me but instead at the other High Fae. He was acting like I wasn’t even here, and my patience was beginning to reach its limit.

Silver Shadow shot the other male a look that silenced the room and made me take a small step backward from where he was sitting. The other male huffed a laugh, and suddenly, the nature of their relationship made perfect sense.

“So, now I understand the similarities in your scents.” I grinned, cocking a hip and resting a hand there while I bucked up my chin with a wide-set grin. “The appearances alone made me suspect it, but that look you threw at him was the dead giveaway. He’s your younger brother.”

“Spitfire, indeed. You named her well,brother,” silver-hair replied, granting me a mocking fake clap of applause. Terrific, a jokester was here with us today.

“Clever, Spitfire,” Silver Shadow grunted. “Now, let’s see what else you can do.” He reached up to unbutton the collar of his shirt and pulled it to the side, granting me access to examine his wound.

“Besides being one of the deadliest archers in all of Valdor, apparently?” I asked with a bold smugness and an inkling of humor. “Gladly.”

I caught the hint of an amused smile in his expression before it disappeared behind a mask of stone. I imagined he had practiced disguising his emotions from the world, and I was lucky to catch this glimpse just before it faded behind his warrior’s facade once more.

“How do your healing abilities work?” Silver Shadow asked as I pulled his shirt further to the side, revealing the wound.

“It’s pretty simple. All I have to do is activate my magic, and it does its own thing. But I will need direct contact with the site of your wound if that’s okay?”

The silver male chuckled to himself, and Shadow cut him an even colder glare. “Do you need to leave?”

“No. I am perfectly content to remain right where I am,” he said with a muffled chuckle.

I rolled my eyes at them both. “You two might be ancient, but you still act like the young ones.”

Shadow’s tone was firm and hard once more. “Very brave to insult princes of the Inner Kingdom, Spitfire.”

“Thanks for the compliment,” I said.

“Or very naive when it comes to understanding the severity of asituation, it seems.” His eyes burned with a challenge, and my animal flooded me with strength to meet it.

“I meant it as a testament to your relationship with one another,” I interjected quickly, trying to interpret what was brewing underneath his stone-cold expression. “With the world only seeing our mask of iron, those who know us best are able to strip it aside. They allow us to be our most vulnerable and open selves.”

“Iron?” Shadow tilted his head and arched his brow at me, his expression softening for the briefest of moments. “A little early for that reference, I believe…”

“Oh, Sorry. Probably not the best example.”

I had to admit I admired his quick wit and the light-hearted banter he was showing me. It softened him a bit, giving me confidence as I moved closer to examine him. His scent hit me like a brick wall, and my heart began thundering inside my chest.

“May… may I begin?” I stammered, trying to steady my shaking nerves.Get a grip, Sky, I cursed.This is not proper etiquette for healing. I hated it when my animal instincts flooded me for dominance, especially now. Something about this fae’s power riled her up, and I needed to get a hold of her pronto.

Silver Shadow nodded. “Intriguing way to perceive the world,” he added as he leaned back.

“You need to relax your shoulders,” I scolded, using my firm healer’s voice.

I watched him turn his head away to the side and close his eyes once more, but thankfully, his shoulders dropped. I began tracing my hands over the exquisite muscle concealed under the fabric of his shirt. His skin felt electric as my fingers touched his broad chest and shoulder, trying my best not to blush. I prayed to the gods that he didn’t notice how fast my heart was racing because there was little, I could do about that.

“We each have a role to play in this life,” I said as I meticulously moved my hands closer to the wound. “I’ll need you to remain still. Wait, Silver Shadow isn’t your real name, is it? I usually know the names of all my patients. Latte, our lead healer, says it’s proper bedside manner.”

---