Page 89 of A Trial of the Heart

“What my brother means to say,” Daxton interjected, “is that you don’t have to earn your keep while you’re here. Remember, you are the champion of the trials, and it isuswho are tasked with looking after you. But whatever you would like to do, we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.”

“I can take care of myself,” I stated.

“I recall,” Daxton said in a low voice, his eyes shimmering with a dark intention, recalling our night on theOpal.

I raised my brow and slightly bit my bottom lip, remembering how his magic danced over my skin. How even with a barrier between us, he was able to have that kind of effect on me.

“All this finery and whatnot are lost on me, and I’m happy to help pull my own weight around here.”

“Hmm.” Gunnar glided out from behind me. “Refreshing that she has the mindset of a warrior, Dax.”

“I’m aware,” Daxton answered. “Let’s get you cleaned up and then venture off to the library with some food. Once we decide where to begin our research, we can discuss how you can pull your own weight. With your training sessions being the primary focus, our time is limited.”

“I’ll take that compromise.” I gave him a knowing look that said even though I agreed, I wasn’t going to back down and cave to his request so easily. Alas, much to my displeasure, Daxton was right.

Over the next three weeks, I didn’t have time to help in the kitchens, let alone think or do anything but prepare for the second trial. In the mornings, after falling asleep over a folded book in the library or in the corner chaise with one on my chest, I ate breakfast and then raced out to meet Gunnar. Half the time, Daxton teleported me to the training fields, encouraging me to eat a more robust meal before I was thrown off one obstacle or the next.

My body ached, and my muscles were strained from the rigorous high-intensity interval training Gunnar had designed especially for me. It was his own specialized kind of torture that was “good for me.” After the first two weeks, he was so pleasedwith my increased stamina and endurance that he insisted Daxton add this to the workouts for their new recruits. With all my training, however, I hadn’t even touched the Ice Gauntlet yet.

I was promised,soon.Whatever the heck that meant. All I knew was that despite all our research, the answer to the riddle of the beast was still a mystery.

Idris and Adohan worked meticulously in the ancient archives, with the scribes carefully pulling different scrolls for them to read. It was a painstakingly slow process but a task that thankfully kept them both busy.

We each took a piece of the riddle and searched through folklore and history books to try and identify what beast I was going to face. I took the lead in researching the line:To look upon my white crest is to know true death White crest. I knew it had to be a physical trait of the creature, but the line about death was a mystery.

Daxton identified the cliffs near the sea where the monster likely lived, and soon, someone would have to venture out there with the key to see if there was any sign of the entrance. I had only five more weeks to complete training for this trial.

Chapter Eighteen

“If you’re going to enter the Gauntlet, you’ll need to see the course run properly first,” Daxton said as we exited the library to find Gunnar.

Walking through the Summit, I admired the tasteful elegance crafted into the stronghold. Amazed at how the architectural designs utilized the surrounding mountains, the forest, and the meadows that the city itself was built upon. The vaulted high ceilings were framed by towering white columns along the hallways and an open grand staircase that connected the various levels. My favorite design of the Summit was the skylight and ceiling-to-floor arched windows that held a breathtaking northern view of the three towering peaks.

Nox was the second tallest to the left, Dagur was the widest to the right, and Meja was at the center, the tallest peak with a hanging valley just below its top.

As we rounded the grand staircase, I traced my hands over the stone-carved railing, admiring the intricate swirling wind designs with various flowers, vines, and trees carved in as well. I could easily lose myself in the details that I managed to find more of each time I looked at them. The artists who helped build this palace had a unique way of combining the strength ofthe mountains with the beautiful nature surrounding them.

“Today, a group of cadets are trying their hand at the course, and before they enter, I’ll run the Gauntlet and showallof you how it’s properly done.”Daxton’s hair was tied back, giving me a glimpse of his pointed ears and the strikingly handsome contours of his face.

“Did you have humble tea with breakfast today?” I asked, catching a glimmer of amusement in Daxton’s expression.

Castor and the others helped us research the second clue, and although I appreciated their aid, Daxton and I hadn’t had a second alone together. With the threat of Anjani lurking in Silver Meadows, we were forced to be discreet.

But honestly, I was too exhausted to even think of doing anything other than sleeping, with Daxton always nearby. Here, in this hallway, however, was the first time we had been alone together, not surrounded by others or the threat of wandering eyes.

“If you want something done right, more often than not, you must do it yourself. I don’t want you learning any improper techniques before you enter the course,” Daxton insisted, marching us down the marble-stoned hallway off to the side of the staircase.

“You do know … our elders say that we can learn from failure just as much, if not more, than when we succeed.”

“Failure in the Ice Gauntlet is a death sentence.” Daxton stopped and turned, giving me a firm look that held my steps in place. “I’ll never try to hold you back, Skylar. It’s not my place to do so, and I respect you too much to attempt to force your hand. But I do ask that you take caution with this task,” he said in an even tone. “I ask that you carefully watch me run the course todayand take extra care in preparing for the Gauntlet. I can’t step in and save you if you fall. You must rely on yourself to reach the end.”

“I understand,” I said with blazing certainty shimmering behind my eyes. “I’m not scared of what I might fail at, Daxton … I’m terrified of what I might never try because I’m afraid to fail. I’m a shifter. We’re sturdy and annoyingly stubborn to a fault.”

Daxton nodded, with a sincere look of pride beaming in his eyes. “And that … along with many other qualities you possess, is why I know you’ll ultimately win the trials. The strength of your heart in all things defies the very fabric of logic.”

He glanced around us before moving over me and pressing my backside against the wall. His arms bracing the bulk of his weight on either side of my head. My core tensed, and my breathing became erratic as his gray eyes shined with an intense desire that I knew mirrored my own. The Gods be damned, I wanted this. I wanted him more than logic or common sense could control.

His fingers grasped my chin. His thumb delicately caressed my bottom lip as he shifted his weight, leaning his chest against mine. He was gentle with his touch, but I knew beneath the surface he was just as wild and unhinged as I felt. I watched his eyes scan my face, darkening with a hunger for something more than a stolen embrace in the hallway.

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