Page 58 of A Trial of Fate

“I should have expected to find you in here,” he said to Daxton before glancing my way. “Skylar, how are you feeling today? Do you need anything?”

“I need to stretch my legs and get out of this bed,” I answered, leaning backward against my headboard.

“I can arrange that,” Daxton added with a devilish smirk as he shifted toward my feet. “In and out. No one would be the wiser if I teleported us.”

Shaw stroked his chin, surprisingly contemplating Daxton’s suggestion. “You sure you want to face Latte’s wrath? She would be able to tell that you moved her by the change in her scent.”

Daxton’s face twisted as he contemplated Shaw’s words. “Not many things in this life cause me unease, but that female is something else.”

I couldn’t help releasing a genuine laugh at his reply. Both of them turned and looked at me, relief washing over their expressions.

“What?” I asked.

“You laughed,” Shaw answered. “It is good to hear your laughter, Skylar. We didn’t know—”

“You didn’t know what kind of shape or mental state I would be in after rescuing me.” I could see the answer written on both their faces. I honestly didn’t blame them. I still wasn’t sure how I was feeling.

I was thankful for Gilen’s quick thinking and taking the fae queen to speak with the humans. That at least gave me some time. I knew the act of kidnapping a member of our pack would push Alistar to confront the human king about his hunters.

Footsteps sounded in the hall. “That’s Latte,” Shaw taunted Daxton.

“Then that is my cue to disappear,” Daxton answered as he arose from the bed. “Besides, I have some research to conduct in the library.” He gave me a sly wink before he was gone in a flash of silver.

“I don’t think I’ll get used to that,” I said.

“It’s normal after a while,” Shaw answered. “You ready to see everyone?”

“I mean… yeah. It was all I dreamed about or desperately wanted when I was taken. When I was in my cell, I thought about all of you and what I would give to see you again.” I shuddered, feeling my chest tighten and my limbs begin to shake. My animal was there in an instant, comforting me like she had during my entire capture.

Shaw took Daxton’s place on the bed and reached out to grasp my hands. “This is real, Skylar.” I looked up at him with fear looming in my amber eyes. “I know this feels like a dream. That you will wake up and still be trapped underground… but trust me. This. Is. Real.” He squeezed my hands tighter. “Use your senses. Scent is one of the most useful tools shifters have. Utilize that to help ground you to the reality of your freedom and safety.”

Following his lead, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, collecting the different scents surrounding me. I could detect the familiar smell of pine from Daxton’s distinct scent, but then I also smelled the fresh air drifting in from the screen doors, the flowers outside my window, and Shaw’s earthy aroma. During my capture, I didn’t have any of that. All I could see, feel, or smell was darkness, iron, and the stench of death.

“That’s it,” Shaw encouraged as my trembling hands calmed. I opened my eyes and looked at him, the grip of fear beginning to fade away. “Later, we will come back to this and work through these memories step by step. Daxton and I have a plan.”

“All right,” I said with a nod.

“Ready for your family?” I released a bright, beaming smile, and Shaw stood to open my door.

Neera nearly tackled me onto the bed while Julia and Magnus stood in the door frame, waiting for their daughter to release me from her death grip. I hugged her back just as fiercely, though, whilecaptured, I was afraid I would never see them again. Neera moved to my side as Julia swooped in next, with Magnus encircling us both in his strong, robust arms. It surprised me that I didn’t cringe or pull away from my family’s embrace, and I attributed that to the comfort my animal gave me while captured. Without her, I knew this would have all been different.

“How are you feeling? Are your wounds healing?” Magnus asked.

“Strong enough,” I said, shifting in my bed to accommodate all three of them in it with me. Shaw left as soon as the three of them piled in, wanting to give us some alone time together. “I’m stiff, but otherwise doing all right.”

“And… what about otherwise?” Julia asked, and I understood that she was referring to how I was feeling emotionally.

“I-I don’t know yet.”

“It’s okay that you don’t.” Julia reached up to gently tuck my hair behind my ear. “You look much better than you did two days ago, and you will only continue to do so. You are strong on the outside,” she lowered her hand and placed it over my heart, “and on the inside, my brave daughter.”

I smiled at her kindness. “Thank you for saying that.” Neera snuggled in next to me as Julia and Magnus sat together at the foot of the bed. “So, what’s new? I can’t be the only exciting gossip happening around these parts.” Magnus pursed his lips, and I knew he was debating how much to share with me. “Daxton already told me most of it.”

“I knew I recognized that scent,” Magnus said, shifting on the edge of the bed and glancing toward the chaise. “Was he here when you woke up?” I nodded my head yes. “Figures,” he said with a heavy sigh.

I wanted to ask him about that, but for now, I held back my questions on that topic. “Will there be another war?” I asked, honestly a tad frightened of what he would say.

“No. Not yet,” Magnus replied, but I couldn’t say I 100 percent believed him. “With the wilt continuing to spread, Alistar always intended to meet with King Taran. Your capture added to Gilen’s interest in securing our borders and protecting our people. The fact that they somehow convinced the fae queen to go with them is a miracle as much as a mystery.”

---