Page 119 of A Trial of the Heart

“Prick,”I muttered under my breath.

“I heard that.”

“I meant you to.” I couldn’t help biting my lip as Daxton nuzzled into me with a deep chuckle in his throat.

After Adohan helped simmer the tension between the two brothers, Dax and I went to our room to discuss our options and begin formulating a plan. Castor’s ability to enter the lair gave way to new ideas that Daxton was keen on fulfilling, which, to my dismay, involved him entering the second trial with me.

To say I was upset would not do my disposition justice. It was one of our biggest disagreements yet, and judging by how stubborn we both were, it wouldn’t be our last. I was against it from the moment he suggested the idea, refusing to allow him to put himself in that kind of danger. But Daxton remained calm, his patience winning me over and helping settle my raging fury.

He ended up using logic and our mate bond against me, saying, “If the roles were reversed, would you idly stand by as I faced this threat alone?”

“Of course I wouldn’t!” I told him.He knew I would charge in with him regardless of the threat against my own life.Bastard.

“Where you go, I go.” Daxton said as he wrapped his arms around me. So sure, like there was no other option. “The key showed Castor the doorway just like we thought, and he passed through the entrance unharmed. The riddle for the second trial didn’t limit it to only the champion being allowed to enter like the first.”

“Or else you would’ve entered the labyrinth with me?” I challenged.

“You know I would,” Daxton answered firmly. “Do you really want to waste our time together asking me ridiculous questions you already know the answers to?”

His hands lightly cupped my exposed breasts, causing me to moan, before curling down my front and resting comfortably on my waist. Chills ran through me. My arousal built once again despite being fully sated only an hour ago.

“I can think of more useful things to do if you refuse to sleep.”

“We could always put in a few more hours of training,” I teased. “Should I call for Gunnar to meet us at the training fields?”

“Tonight, you selfishly belong only to me,” Daxton said. “I will not be sharing you.” The gravelly sound in his voice crept over me like an erotic caress. “Besides, our fighting techniques have synced like we’ve been training together for years. We move like one being, Spitfire.”

Daxton and I had spent countless hours training together over the last weeks. Since we no longer neededto research the identity of the creature, we focused on how to defend and fight against it as one.

It took a lot of missteps, of course. I lost count of how many times my bow was knocked out of my hands, I stepped on his foot, or I nearly stabbed him. Thank the Gods above that he was fast. On the third day, things started to click into place. And then, by the next week, we were no longer clumsily colliding and fighting like two separate entities. Instead, we flowed together like a deadly current in the ocean.

Castor crafted maps of the area and instructed us on narrow caves and passageways along the cliffside where the basilisk lived.

With Daxton joining me, we had to learn each other’s fighting styles and how to work flawlessly together in small quarters. I was in awe of Daxton’s exceptional fighting skills, realizing that his magic effortlessly supported his brute strength and speed, hiding in plain sight. His power flowed through him in each attack, blending into these movements like a perfectly choreographed dance.

Although my Silver Shadow had little to no weakness in his technique, understanding each other’s vulnerabilities helped formulate a solid front to combat any foe—even a mythical serpent king with a death stare.

Moving closer behind me, I felt Daxton’s length hardening against my backside.

“Ready again, are we?”My heart began thundering with anticipation.

“It never seems to stop when you’re near.” His chuckle of amusement vibrated low in his throat. “Thisneedto have you is all-consuming.” He kissed my neck, nibbling at my heated flesh. “You’re not complaining, are you?”

“Wouldn’t dare,” I rasped, reaching up and behind me to pull his delicious mouth to mine.

I savored the way he tasted, opening my lips to allow him to slide his tongue inside with ease. I moved my hips back, threading his erection into the line of my ass and stroking his inner thigh with my other hand. He moaned into my mouth, making my center throb with need.

“In that case …”

Daxton moved so fast that I barely had time to react. His grip tightened around my waist as a blast of cold air rushed in, the doors to the balcony swinging open as he carried me out toward the railing.

“Bend over,” he growled, “and don’t muffle your moans. I want all of Silver Meadows to know who you belong to.” The dark edge to his voice sent a thrilling rush through my center.

“Yes,Princey.” I moaned as he spread my legs and pushed my palms onto the stone railing, gripping both in one of his massive hands.

“Hold tight,” he instructed as I wrapped my fingers around the stone, preparing myself for whatever he had planned next. “Very good, myqueen,” he said as he moved to kneel behind me, running his fingers through my slickened folds. “You’re ready for me. Fucking perfect as always.”

The anticipation was killing me. At the very least, I needed to feel his lips finish what his fingers had started. Damn—correction, I needed all of him.

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