Page 138 of A Trial of the Heart

“Ahh. There … There’s the cunning, twisted mind I seek to devour,” Minaeve purred, pulling Seamus in for a kiss.

I pushed them aside, turning my attention to my mate. I reached for my healing magic, desperately wanting to help him.

“It’s no use, Spitfire,” Daxton whispered, somehow managing to rise onto his knees despite his injured shoulder and his arms remaining bound to his sides.

“Gods, above,” I cursed aloud. “Daxton, I can’t leave without you.” I sobbed, carefully wrapping my arms around his neck.

He took a deep breath, nuzzling into the base of my neck, entangling himself in my hair. Our combined scents surrounded us, leaving no room for doubt that we were bound to each other.

“You won’t,” he whispered as I pulled back, seeing the depths of his love shine even through his pain. “Remember, where you go, I go. You’re never alone, Spitfire, because you carry my heart with you. Always.”

“I will return, Dax. I’ll return with the dagger, unlock the heart, and free you… all of you. I swear it.” I clutched onto him tightly. “I love you.”

“I love you,” he answered as I touched his lips, sinking into his kiss until the world around us no longer existed, utilizing these precious seconds together to try and memorize all that he was.

Gods, Mother and Father,I prayed.Watch over my mate. If fate guides me to unlock the heart, understand that any sacrifice you ask of me is not worth it if he is no longer in this world. Daxton is the heart and soul of his people. He is a true leader who will bring them out of the darkness cast by the wilt and the self-proclaimed queen. He is your warrior. He will fight to protect your children and save us all.

“Bring him to the portal.”

Hands seized Daxton, but still, he fought against their hold to remain at my side, the separation forging a chasm in my heart. Castor and Gunnar exited the safety of the ward to grab me and try to pull me back. In the end, Queen Minaeve had to threaten to take them as well if we didn’t cooperate.

Our hands were tied. Our fates decided. Daxton would be held prisoner until I returned with the alpha’s dagger. The blade my father and my alpha ancestors carried. The blade that Alistar, or perhaps now Gilen, held as our pack’s leader.

I had to challenge the current alpha… And I had to win.

Seamus grabbed Daxton’s chains as a portal appeared, shoving him toward the magical circle of swirling lights. I never took my eyes off my mate, catching one final look before being forced through the portal.

“You’re my light,” I said, fighting to hold back my tears. “You’re myhope, Daxton Aegaeon!” I roared,my voice loud enough for all of Silver Meadows to hear. “Each beat of my heart echoes your name. Every breath I take is filled with your essence. My love for you has no bounds of time or distance. I will fight through the great crossing itself to have you in my arms again. I will find you!” My declaration forced even Seamus to pause.

“We will always find each other, Spitfire. Every day … until there are none left.” And with those final words, Daxton was forced through the portal.

He was gone.

“No… No… No!” I roared so loudly that there wasn’t a single soul in Silver Meadows who didn’t hear my cry.

My power shot out from me, rippling across the landscape and causing a powerful force to shake the ground from under my feet. I collapsed onto the marble, the chasm in my chest opening and flooding me with wave after wave of unbearable sorrow.

Castor and Gunnar hung their heads and stepped back. There was nothing they could do to comfort me. They were just as afraid as I was. Daxton, their high prince, was gone, taken prisoner—again. Their high prince, whom they had sworn to protect, was once again held in the queen’s dungeons.

Light footsteps echoed on the floor beside me as a long crimson and gold cape draped across my shoulders. Warm arms encircled me with the gentlest of touches. Only the love of a mother’s embrace could reach me now.

“Skylar,” Idris whispered.

I fell into her open arms, allowing myself to weep without fear of judgment. She knew. She understood exactly what it was like to have her mate controlled and stolen from her.

Another pair of black boots entered my line of sight and I looked up through tearful eyes. Zola stood behind us, staring me down with fury burning in her darkened eyes.

“Now get up,” the Shadow Jumper demanded.

I controlled my breathing and wiped the final tear aside, facing her.

“You’re the mate of the High Prince of Silver Meadows. The slayer of the basilisk. Victor of the labyrinth.Youdo notgive up. Youneverback down.” She bucked up her chin, staring up at me without a hint of fear or hesitation. “Call upon theOpalto take you to Solace. Reclaim the alpha’s dagger and return where the Heart of Valdor waits to serveyou.”

Her calmness… Her certainty was odd, even for her. Then it clicked. I didn’t know why it took so long to realize what had happened. I cursed my foolishness for not noticing it earlier. But then again, my reactions helped make this all so real.

“What’s the plan?” I asked, turning toward Castor.

He tilted his head in confusion at first, looking at me like he was seeing another person altogether, and in all honesty, maybe he was. I was a half-human shifter torn from her home, separated from her mate, and tasked with achieving the impossible to save our world. These things changed a person. It made them harder, stronger. Transformed them into a survivor, a skillful warrior to call upon in times of need… and right now, we were neck deep in this mess of an existence.

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