Page 1 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter One

Ididn’t dream in my shifters sleep, and to be honest, I was grateful for it. There was no telling how much time had passed as I slowly regained consciousness.

The faint sound of someone steadily breathing, broke my slumbering trance. Daxton must have found some sort of sanctuary or hideaway for us after our battle with the harpies inside the wilt. I would’ve settled for anything as long as it was far from the decay and dark magic of that lifeless land.

I inhaled a deep breath, breaking my own trance-like sleep to further assess where I was. The air seemed thinner, indicating a significant change in the elevation. We must be high above sea level, possibly somewhere in the mountains.

Where am I?

I tried to rack my brain for more clues when one hit me smack dab in the face—it was hot. Oh, Gods, it was unbearably hot! The air had a textured thickness to it that coated my tongue and throat. I could feel my sweat-slickened skin under a light sheet made for blistering, arid climates, but it still felt like I was cooking from the inside out. I enjoyed the warmer weather of summertime in Solace, but this was something different.

I wiggled my fingers, then managed to roll over onto my side. Opening my eyes, I located the owner ofthe soft, steady breathing at the foot of my extravagant bed—Daxton.

His bottom half was seated in a plush cushioned chair with his torso folded over at my feet. His clothing was different. Judging by the lack of blood and stench from our battle in the wilt, he had bathed as well. I didn’t smell his blood, meaning his healing abilities, combined with my own, had done the trick. It was odd, though, I thought. I couldn’t smell him. Inhaling again, I searched for the fresh pine and mountain air scent but failed to find it.

Weird, I pondered. Then, I remembered him speaking to me on several occasions about training me to shield my own scent. However, I didn’t think I needed to do that until we were in Aelius.

Oh no.Aelius—were we in Aelius? Was it time for the trials? I thought I had more time!

Panicked, I shot up from the bed, and Daxton woke immediately with a long knife drawn and at the ready, prepared for battle.

“Is this Aelius?”I stammered, staring at him with wide eyes. I wasn’t afraid of the trials, but I was terrified of being thrown into something without proper time to prepare. “Daxton!” I yelled at him again, leaning forward onto my hands, desperate for him to answer me.

The High Prince of Silver Meadows sheathed his knife into his belt and slid onto the bed next to me. His expression was drawn and weary, but I could see a hint of ease cast in the depths of his stormy eyes. “This is Crimson City.”

I immediately hung my head and sighed with relief. Dax reached out to gently place his finger on my chin, tipping my gaze up toward his and scanning over me carefully.

“Are you hungry, Spitfire?” Daxton asked, anticipating my needs even before I had a chance to voice them.

“Always.” I grinned as I steadied my shaking limbs, moving to lean back against the headboard of the plush bedding. I nervously tucked my knees into my chest, curling my soft satin nightgown around me, attempting to take everything in. Dax trudged to the other side of the arid room to retrieve a tray of various fruits and slices of bread paired with meat and cheese.

“You were asleep for some time, Skylar,” he said as he returned to my bedside, setting the tray of food in front of me. His tired eyes turned and stared at the open window, and I couldn’t grasp how he was feeling or what type of mood he was in.

“How long?” I asked as I poked my fork into a piece of fruit.

“Four days.”

“What?” I exclaimed, with a mouth full of food, somehow still managing not to drop a single bite. “I-I think that’s the longest I’ve ever been in a shifter’s sleep. Come to think of it. I don’t know many who’ve ever been asleep that long.” I coughed to clear my throat as he handed me a glass of water.

“They haven’t,” Dax muttered, keeping his blank stare fixated on anything but me.

I studied him closely, searching for hidden injuries that were often overshadowed by the bleeding wounds of battle. His eyes were heavy, and even though he was asleep when I awakened, I knew that was not the case for the previous days. He was clean and wearing fresh clothes, but he looked exhausted. Despite his valiant efforts to hide it from me, I could see it.

I pushed a plate of food over to him. “You need to eat too, Dax.” It looked like he hadn’t eaten in days. “I can’t possibly eat this whole tray myself and not explode.”

He pursed his lips, contemplating my request. “You’re sure you don’t want it?”

I nodded to reassure him, and thankfully, he lifted a round sausage paired with a piece of bread off the plate and took a bite.

I definitelycouldeat everything on this plate and another, but I couldn’t bring myself to devour another bite until he did, too. Dax popped another piece of sliced meat into his mouth while I returned to my tray of delectable goodness. With my stomach happily satisfied, I was able to take in the room and admire the spectacles surrounding me.

The architecture was astonishing—grander than anything we had back in Solace. The walls appeared to be uniquely hand-crafted with a delicate swirling design that adorned the columns in the corners and connected along the arched ceiling. It reminded me of wind-blown sand and the beautiful way it ebbs and flows with gusts of wild currents of air. The tan walls were draped with sheer, elegant red fabric, filling the room with a warm, airy feeling. The bed we were sitting on was in the center of the living area, with two large double doors to my left and an opening to the balcony to my right. The doorways and windows were arched, with what looked to be red sandstone decorating the archways.

Thick dark drapes covering the balcony and windows hid the rays of sunlight from outside, but I could still see streaks of the magnanimous sunrays trying to peek through. The blasted heat, however, was suffocating. Despite the light breeze from the open windows and balcony doors, they were hindered by the lavish drapery. Beads of sweat began forming along mybrow, despite my lack of clothing and refreshing sips of water.

“It’s morning?” I asked between bites of food.

“Midday.” Dax reached for a pitcher, refilling my cup first before filling his own.

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