Page 5 of A Trial of Fate

“Talon challenged them all to swim out to the rocks.”

“And you didn’t join them? Not like you to back down.”

Rhea rolled her eyes. “Not with you being a potential drowning victim. I had to stay behind to make sure you came back up alive.”

“Again… I am so lucky to have you, Rhea.” We both laughed and moved to float on our backs, resting head to toe in the gentle rolling waves.

As young children, before we were aware of our animal spirits, some of the others in the pack looked down on me for being half-human. Saying I would never truly be one of them because I was a late bloomer and that I would never be able to control my power enough toshift. Rhea stepped in right away and stood up for me. Making it clear with her words, and possibly her fists, that regardless of my bloodline, I was pack.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Always with the questions. Can’t you just sit and relax without your mind spinning?” I silently grinned. We both knew the answer to that was a clear no. “Typical male nonsense,” Rhea answered with a heavy sigh. “They are a mystery… And honestly, I’m not sure I want to know.”

I circled my arms in the water, mulling over the interaction between Gilen and me on the beach earlier. Maybe he wasn’t even asking Talon about it at all? Regardless, I needed answers.

The sun was beginning to lower along the horizon. “We better start heading in soon,” I said to Rhea.

“Five more minutes.”

“You always say that,” I argued as I tilted my head up out of the water.

“And it’s usually a good idea.”

The males were still out on the rocks, but the younger ones were beginning to head toward the shoreline for the trek home. They didn’t need us to follow them the short distance back to the main village, but I wanted to ensure they stayed out of trouble.

“Come on,” I murmured as I splashed Rhea with water. “You know what tomorrow night is. We should prepare back at home with the others.” I turned in the water and began swimming toward the shoreline.

“Fine. You win.” Rhea spun around and followed my lead.

Gilen, Talon, and Shaw were all still on the outer rocks, and from the looks of it, they were still deep in conversation.

“They know the way back,” Rhea added as we reached the shore. “Besides, we have two gold coins to burn at the tavern. I foresee two large and well-deserved spirits for us tonight. Maybe even whiskey.”

I nodded. “With the ascension and the full moon tomorrow night, I don’t see why not.”

“That’s the spirit.” Rhea beamed as she looped an arm around my shoulder.

“I’ll meet you back at the village,” I said, suddenly rememberingI left my belongings on the other shoreline. “I need to go back to the green sand beach and get my books and clothes.”

“We are shifters.” Rhea laughed, gesturing at her fair skinned half-naked body. “You know the adults just walk around nude half the time anyway from their shifts back and forth between their animal and human forms.”

“My books are there!”

Rhea threw up her hands in defeat. She knew I would never risk the safety of those books. “Say no more. Go. I’ll meet you in one hour at the tavern. Don’t be late.”

I nodded. “I’ll see you then, my friend.” I wouldn’t forgive myself if I left my books at the mercy of the washing waves. Solace’s library needed all the material it could get, and I wasn’t going to be the one to take away stories for others to read.

My clothes were right where I had left them, with the books stacked inside my bag—safe from the damaging rough sand. I reached for my clothes and noticed Gilen’s shirt lying beside mine. I quickly dressed and then paused, looking down at his belongings. I didn’t think he would return for his shirt, so I decided it would be kind of me to bring it back to town for him.

I scooped it up, brought it close to my chest, and inhaled deeply, smelling his scent in his clothing. I don’t know why I suddenly had the urge to do this. When in doubt, blame my other half—a shifter trait, I guess…

The crisp aroma of salty air, the spicy scent of sand dunes, and the open wild skies flooded my senses. However, there was no spark of electricity. Instead, a calming presence of safety and serenity, like being wrapped up in a warm blanket in front of a burning fire in the hearth.

But … Hmm.

I didn’t feel any kind of heightened emotion stirring from my animal. It did, however, hold some elements that Julia, my aunt and surrogate mother, told me about when she first felt the mating bond with Uncle Magnus.

I lingered for a moment in contemplation before chalking it up to the fact that I was simply not ready to shift just yet. Gilen clearly was, though, somaybe he was able to sense something I was not. Annoyed by my lack of understanding and even more questions spinning in my head, I stuffed Gilen’s shirt in my pack and headed for home.

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