Page 62 of A Trial of Fate

During this time of healing, I was beginning to realize everything I went through growing up had helped to prepare me for what I faced in that torture room and what I was about to confront in the Inner Kingdom.

Now, I was a member of the pack, but it didn’t begin that way. I had to earn my place like everyone else, but as a half-breed, this journey was more difficult than most. Gilen and the others protected me when they could, but they weren’t around all the time. I never whined about what happened to Magnus and bided my time until I could learn to defend myself. I would only earn my place and their respect if I did something different.

I had lost count of how many times I was cornered and bullied for things I couldn’t control. For simply being born different, despite who my sire was, my blood was viewed by some as tainted. What I could control, however, was how to respond to my offenders. Eventually, I had had enough.

When I was thirteen years old, and my animal presence finally emerged, I did just that. I learned how to defend myself, growing in my physical strength and my animal’s power. Determined to prove myself and no longer be a victim, I sought out the youth who had been my constant tormentors.

I foolishly singled out their strongest female, Sheila, ironically Xander’s current girlfriend, for a challenge and lost—badly. I can still hear their laughs today as they stepped over me, taunted me, and kicked dirt on my face for my failure.

My nose was broken, my shoulder dislocated, and my eyeblackened, but what hurt most was my pride. I had challenged someone and lost. As the daughter of a former alpha, I thought my life was over. But when I came home, Magnus took one look at me and gave me a small smile and a curt nod of approval. I had lost this fight, but it didn’t mean I would give up. Shifters didn’t give up.

I realized he had known all along what was going on but allowed me to handle it on my own terms. If I was to survive in this pack and become a true shifter in my heart, I had to learn to stand firm on my own two feet.

The taunting didn’t stop, but thankfully, they were lessened by my efforts. It became only whispers when I began utilizing my healing magic and training with Latte, and then practically silence when I proved skillful with a bow and joined Gilen’s scouting party.

I never gave up. I couldn’t.

Even though Daxton had kept his distance, I knew he was never far away. Whenever I felt the weight of my memories beginning to crash on top of me, I felt the whisper of his ice magic caress my skin. It calmed the raging fire inside my veins and simmered my boiling blood. I felt safe and protected. Nothing in the world could touch me as long as he was there. I knew I needed to be able to do this on my own, and I would get there, but baby steps first. It had only been a week, and according to Daxton, I had two, maybe three more.

The following week, Shaw, Neera, and Julia were frequent visitors when Latte would allow it. I could still detect Daxton’s scent in my room. I knew he had checked in on me, but it always seemed to be when I was asleep. To my surprise, one morning, I awoke to the sight of two new books from our library with a note tucked in between the pages.

Spitfire,

I’m happy to hear that your stamina is returning and catch glimpses of your smiling face from afar as you visit with your family. As I said before, I will keep my distance, but rest assured, nothing will harm you while you are under my protection. I will not allow it. Anyone who threatens or wishes to cause you harm will have to go through me… and trust me, that task is almost as daunting as the trials themselves.

I turned my lips inward and cocked my brow. He clearly wasn’t shy about broadcasting his power, but then again, he likely was not exaggerating. The stories of his fighting abilities were terrifying yetadmirable. I recalled the tale of the human steward and Daxton’s mercy, allowing him to flee. There was a balance to the high prince, and thankfully, his morality seemed to be in check.

I appreciate your kind words and attempt to reassure me that my presence would not be a burden, but this is best for now. I want you to rest and recover, which is why I have held back writing you these past few book drop-offs. I have been working with Shaw and discussing your progress with him in great detail. When Latte releases you, I hope you venture to your green sand beach. I know how much it would mean to you.

I smiled and closed my eyes, remembering the smell of the salty sea air paired with the sun’s warmth that brushed my bare skin. I longed to return to the tranquility of that beach and feel like myself again. It was my favorite place in the world, and I knew it would be the first place I ventured to when I was released. Daxton was absolutely correct that returning there would mean the world to me.

I hope you don’t mind, but I identified some of the plant life I recognize here on the mainland that you can find in the Inner Kingdom. They have stars on the corner pages. There are some plants to be cautious of, and I have underlined those, hoping you read up on them for your safety. The other book I have for you is ironically about shifters. I added my own notes in the margin that describe the similarities and differences with High Fae. It was the best place to start regarding your request. Please rest assured, I promise you will learn about the Inner Kingdom when we begin our voyage overseas. Castor is the better instructor for this topic. I only want the best for you, so I will defer to him for this when he returns.

My notes from your trilogy, and yes, I did finish all three books.

My brows arched with surprise and glee, happy that he was as fast a reader as he had suggested. For a second, I slightly panicked, wondering if he would taunt me for liking this trilogy or think poorly of me for reading it so many times.

It is a very interesting story with various twists and turns, with a kingdom of ruin on the brink of death fighting to become whole once more. The brooding beast of a male, who is hurtful and hateful to all he meets, is actually a prince in disguise, and only his true mate can unlock his heart and help him save their kingdom from a deadly curse. The heroine, who we learn in the second book—even though we all guessed it from the start—is the prince’s true mate. He tries to push her away to save her, and I must say that I understand the prince’s decision. He knows he wouldn’t be strong enough to let her leave to save herself and believes he will be her undoing, unworthy of her love.

When the heroine is forced to make a deal with the evil sorcerer to unlock pieces of the curse holding the kingdom hostage (that was a turn I did not expect), I can only imagine what torment this put the prince through. Letting his true mateleave in hopes she freed herselfand never returning to his broken kingdom was difficult to swallow.

The ending was very satisfying to read, however. While the heroine was captured, the prince forced himself to become the true leader his mate knew he could be and rallied his people to unite. With pieces of the curse lifted from her deal with the sorcerer, they were strong enough to fight and overturn the evil horde. The heroine (a feisty spitfire, like someone I am getting to know), of course, escapes on her own and rallies an alliance to return and fight alongside her prince. Once they are reunited (in a very passionate chapter that I must admit I read more than once), the curse is broken, and they defeat the evil threat once and for all. I enjoy this book’s ending. Sadly, reality doesn’t always pan out this way. So it was pleasant to read.

I look forward to reading another of your suggestions, but I admit, I find myself reading through many of the shifter history books. I have not found any dated beyond the war, which is interesting. I am taking note of this and intend to show you the history books of your people before the divide.

Until next time, continue to heal, my Spitfire. Your strength is greater than you know.

Your ever-watchful protector,

–Daxton

My mind was spinning, and I ended up reading his letter more than once that morning. I appreciated his openness and was glad he enjoyed the books, but that wasn’t enough. I wanted to talk to him and see his expression when we discussed our various likes and dislikes—to feel his presence fill the room and swallow my attention without ever having to utter a single word. Reading his letters didn’t fulfill my desire to see him again. I missed his calming demeanor and how we could speak to one another without constraint—which was a rarity for me. It was like I had known him all my life, and I could be myself. He made me feel like I was enough. Something treasured or even special.

I wanted to write a letter to tell him how I, Gods above. I didn’t know what to write to express what I was feeling. My emotions were on a hiatus, and I didn’t know what to think or do. The thought of Gilen flashed in my mind, and I felt confusion wrap around my thoughts, clouding my ability to make any type of decision. Perhaps the lack of a letter would raise suspicion enough to force Daxton to see me again. I had no idea why he had distanced himself. I was not too keen on his absence, nor was my animal. I would bide my time and wait for him to see me or perhaps I would find him once I was healed.

I had to see Daxton again. I had to try to make sense of this pull toward him and navigate the feelings I still knew I carried for Gilen.

Gods!Damn you both for this madness.Hadn’t I already suffered enough without this drama?

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