Page 134 of A Trial of the Heart

I wordlessly screamed inside my head, my voice disappearing in a horrid roar. Silver Meadows wasburning.

Witnessing the sight of this beautiful paradise sweltering with its people screaming in pain and fear was like a knife had plunged straight through the center of my heart. The kingdom was under attack, ambushed from within its center, where the flames roared as tall as the sky. High Fae were frantically running and screaming, trying to escape. The pine tree forests separating the different sections of the city were smoldering, with citizens racing to help douse the flames.

Cries from the Dryads within the city could be heard wailing through the meadow and the surrounding mountains. Their trees were burning—dying… And them with it.

I knew the bulk of Daxton’s armies were stationed north of Silver Meadows, doubling his defenses from the wilt in anticipation of Minaeve and Seamus’s arrival.

The city itself was not defenseless, but somehow, the bulk of the destruction seemed to erupt from within. Silver Meadows warriors were valiantly fighting against soldiers adorned with deep forest-green armor, belonging to only one other faction of the Inner Kingdom—Aelius.

Oh no. Seamus and Minaeve were already here. She must have used her newly acquired magic to create a portal straight into the heart of the city and aid in Seamus’s attack.

Valencia materialized along my mate’s back. Pure rage, agonizing hatred, and wrath for his people bursting from every inch of him. I could feel the intensity of his grief and fury through our bond like it was my own.

“Skylar! Daxton!” Castor’s voice erupted across the way. “Watch out!”

“Anjani, blind them,” a voice commanded, “before they can escape inside the Summit!”

My world went black.

Before I had a chance to do anything, strong hands gripped me, throwing me toward the humming magic of the Summit wards. I landed with a firm thud, sliding across the smooth marble floor entrance of the palace, crashing against outstretched hands. My vision immediately returned, but by the grace of the Gods, I almost wished it hadn’t.

“Keep her in there!” Daxton bellowed just before his words morphed into a terrifying roar of pain.

“Daxton!” I screamed, my voice cracking with panic. “No! Daxton!”

Out of nowhere, iron chains encircled my mate, and a cloud of iron power engulfed the space surrounding him, infiltrating his lungs and slicing him from the inside out with each breath he dared to take.Blood pooled on his lips as he collapsed onto the ground, unable to withstand the weight of the chains.

It was too much. Daxton was the most powerful High Fae born of the Inner Kingdom, but the iron powder, paired with the damaging effects of the basilisk’s venom, created a mountain too steep for even him to climb. He couldn’t fight back. He wouldn’t be able to free himself.

“Daxton!” I roared again in desperation from inside the safety of the wards.

Gunnar hoisted me to my feet, his arms clutching me so tightly I could barely breathe, stopping me from running back outside the protection of the Summit. Forbidding me from running straight into danger. Preventing me from reaching my mate.

“Stay in there … all of you!” Dax commanded through gritted teeth.

Every muscle of his massive body strained. He was fighting through blows of sheer agony with each breath he struggled to take. The iron chains made it impossible for him to move or free himself.

With my focus solely on my mate, I hadn’t noticed the others around me until now. Adohan stood closest to the door, his red-hilted blade drawn and at the ready. Fire skittered along his arms and weapon, with Idris safely tucked at his back. Zola’s cold stare searched the invisible threat with piercing black eyes as deadly as the wilt itself. Castor stood across from Adohan, staring helplessly at his brother, hatred burning in every shadow and line on his face. Gunnar’s shaking limbs still held me tight despite the overflowing rage coursing through his own veins. Even Nyssa was here with us, tucked away in the corner across from the entrance. She held a dagger, ready to charge out into the fold with us if called to action.

“Let me go!” I screamed, squirming in the High Fae general’s grip. “Fucking let me go, Gunnar!”

“I can’t,” Gunnar grunted, tightening his hold on me. “Stop. Skylar… we can’t.” The pain in his voice cut through me like the chains that were burning through Daxton’s skin. “Daxton commanded us to stay in here. He threw you inside the ward so we could keep you safe. Don’t let that be for nothing.”

“Gunnar, he’s—”

“My high prince gave me an order.” His dark brown eyes, which always showed me such kindness, now bore pure lethal violence. He wouldn’t break Daxton’s command. I knew in my gut that none of them would.

Even Adohan, who was a high prince in his own realm, wouldn’t betray Daxton’s orders. He couldn’t dishonor or challenge his friend’s rule or leave his pregnant mate unguarded. Dread settled over me as the reality of this situation sank in like a anchor falling into the sea. We were ambushed. And we were outmatched.

“Bastard!” I swore, fighting back tears.

I was angry. No, I was furious. My animal roared inside my head, pulsing what remained of my power through my limbs… but it was not enough. I had used so much of my magic against the basilisk that I couldn’t break free from Gunnar if I tried.

“I know.” Gunnar sighed. I could hear his regret and dread buried in his voice. In the strained lines etched in his expression. “It all happened without warning. I blinked, and they were here. I sent our remaining warriors to guard the city center and then rushed to secure the Summit. Castor pulled me inside the ward, and then you two arrived.”

“They’ve been waiting,” I said slowly. “This whole time.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

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