Page 132 of A Trial of the Heart

We hadn’t dared discuss it yet. The fact was that Daxton was immortal … and I wasn’t. My mate’s immortal lifespan meant he could live for centuries, while shifters only had a fraction of that time. We eventually had to confront this reality, but for right now, we had both agreed it was best left alone.

“Well played.” Dax nodded, releasing my hands so I could concentrate on healing the basilisk’s bite. Reaching up to remove the rest of his blindfold.

“Why was your covering partially lifted? You could’ve died with just one look Dax!” I scolded, my limbs shaking as the adrenaline rush from the battle subsided.

He took a long breath before answering. “I could feel the poison from the basilisk’s bite tearing through me. I didn’t believe I would survive long enough for you to reach me in time.” I went as still as death. “I thought … dammit. I didn’t really know what I was thinking, but I knew—” He reached to cup my cheek. “I knew the last thing I needed to see in this life was you.” His eyes never strayed from mine. “And to my delight, not really a surprise, when I peeked through the blindfold, I witnessed you slaying and dethroning the serpent king.”

I bit my lip, breaking his gaze as I turned my head away and moved my magic along the wound of his arm, searching for any traces of poison. “I-I don’t have an explanation for the power I was wielding. I don’t know how I did it.”

“I do,” Daxton answered plainly, leaning forward to inspect the gash on my thigh I had long forgotten about. “You’re an alpha, Skylar Cathal. A gods-damned queen in your own right.” He moved forward, sitting up on his own, his eyes finding the wound on my leg. “Why do you think I never referred to you as a mere princess or lady.” His smile grew wide as he reached out, allowing his magic to coat my skin, closing the wound on my thigh. “I always knew.” He chuckled. “I was just waiting for the day you realized it too. Your father’s alpha bloodline and your ancestor’s power have all re-emerged within you, my stunning mate.”

“I guess it would’ve been foolish for the Gods to match you with anything less.”

“True.” Dax laughed without humor. “But I believe it’s the other way around.” He reached to gently brush his thumb over my lip before allowing his fingers to migrate along the curve of my chin, memorizing every arc and feature of my face. “Even covered in the blood of our enemy, I still find you the most utterly breathtaking creature to have ever walked this earth.”

“You aren’t too bad yourself,” I said, leaning into his hold and kissing him.

“Don’t twist it,” Daxton whispered against my lips. “We both know that I was the one who gained status with our pairing. I landed myself an alpha queenwho mastered the labyrinth and slayed the basilisk. A champion who’s fated to save us all.”

“All right…” I said, exhaling a curt laugh. “Prince who waspromised.”

“Promised.” He paused, giving me a look that stilled the breath in my lungs—the kind of look that said so much more than words could ever articulate. “Promised to become a deadly weapon for a worthy queen to wield at her side.”

“Dammit,” I cursed. “How are you so much better at this than me?”

“Centuries of practice and waiting. You could say my patience is a gift from the Gods to match my fiery mate’s fighting spirit.”

“Good thinking on their part,” I answered, moving closer to him. I reached up to trace my hand along his bearded chin, reassuring myself that he was safe. “I heard you scream, Dax,” I said, dropping my voice, “and I’ve never been so scared in my entire life. I thought I would lose you.”

“You can’t ever lose me, Spitfire.”

“True.” I grinned recalling the words we’ve said to one another time and time again. “Let’s get the second key, get out of here, and go home.”

“Home.” He smiled as I helped him to his feet.

Daxton’s body was healed, but it was pushed to its physical limits with the venom. Miraculously, he still managed to give me a saccharine smile full of hope and joy. “Glad you’re starting to come around to that idea.” He grunted, pushing up against the rock, struggling to stand on his own.

“Not so fast there.” I snaked under his arm to help steady him. “I might have extracted the poison and healed the wound, but it seems to still have some lingering effects.”

“Yes, I’d love to know whose brilliant idea it was to create a monster with a stare of death and lethal venom in its bite. Did it not already have the advantage?”

“I think even Zola would agree,” I replied. “Heck, whoever had the idea to create this thing might be her best friend—or possibly her mate.” That made him laugh, and I could see that even though it strained him, he didn’t dare hold back his release. “Sorry.” I winced, seeing him stiffen. “I shouldn’t…”

“Don’t be.” He reached his other arm around me, our bodies molding together like puzzle pieces. “Broken ribs will heal, but I’ll never recover from missing moments with you. Don’t apologize for making me laugh, Skylar.” And I knew I wouldn’t—I would cherish the sound of his laughter for all eternity.

“Okay, now where could this key be?” Dax asked, but I already knew the answer.

“It’s the eye.”

“You’re sure?”

I nodded. “It holds the same eight-pointed star in its pupil as the markings on my arm. It must be it.”

“I trust your instincts on this, love.” He kissed my brow, hugging me tightly just because he could. Because we were alive.

I was one step closer to unlocking the Heart of Valdor and healing our world. One step closer to our hope of a better life becoming a reality.

“So, how are you going to retrieve this eye? Doesn’t it still have the magic of a death stare?”

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