Page 25 of A Trial of the Heart

Daxton huffed a laugh and bent to kiss me, practically lifting me off my feet with the touch of his lips on mine. “I named you well, my Spitfire.”

The lock on the door suddenly turned, and our secluded retreat from the outside world came crashing down. The door swung open with Adohan and Castor impatiently waiting on the other side.

“You’ll need this,” Castor taunted, extending his hand with Daxton’s cloak and a new shirt hanging from his fingertips. “Remember, this isn’t the nudist shifter colony of Solace. You’re expected to be clothed when you’re around others outside your bed chamber.”

Daxton grunted with discontent as he released his hold on me, donned his shirt, and pulled his cloak over his shoulders.

“I see you taught her to mask her scent, at least,” Castor snipped. “That’s a relief because I can only imagine that I would be able to smell you all over her, brother. You might want to try and do the same before anyone else confirms what’s already suspected.”

Daxton shielded his scent, unable to stop the grin that curved at the side of his mouth as he winked at me. “In a mood today already, Castor?”

“Hardly,” Castor answered as he crossed his arms and slouched against the wall.

“We’ve all had the pleasure of his unpleasant company this morning, and it still hasn’t improved despite my efforts,” Adohan said.

There was something different about Castor, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. He wasn’t his normal chipper self, and a mild mockery from him about what he and Adohan had clearly interrupted this morning was off-putting.

“Everything all right with you, Castor?” I asked with genuine concern.

“I’m fine,” he muttered as he waved away my worries and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Zola already left with the fallen female.”

Daxton nodded. “Good. I instructed her to depart before us so she could slip away without anyone knowing.”

Castor pursed his lips. “You couldn’t have told me that?”

Daxton paused and sighed, scratching the back of his head, “I-I didn’t think about it, Castor. I’m sorry. Zola is returning to Silver Meadows. You’ll see her again soon.”

Castor grunted and looked off toward the open walkway. “You know how difficult it is, Dax. Of all people… you should know better.” Castor closed his eyes and stepped away from us. “I need a minute.”

Daxton grasped his brother’s shoulder before he left and met his gaze. I could see Daxton was conflicted about the decision, but I was unsure about how it affected Castor. Dax nodded to his brother in silent understanding. “We’ll meet you at the stables.”

Adohan gave Castor a pat on the back while I was left standing there with my hands on my hips, clueless as to what was going on. Nothing, and I mean nothing, seemed to get under Castor’s skin. What the hell was going on with him? Daxton tilted his head for me to follow them.

“But—” I started to protest.

“I’ll be fine, Skylar,” Castor said, pausing before rounding the corner. “I’ll be along in a moment. That’ll give Dax and Adohan a chance to explain the ruse you and I will be orchestrating once we arrive in Aelius.”

“Wait… ruse? What ruse?” I repeated, narrowing my brows as Daxton and Adohan began walking in the other direction. I dashed after them and sprang in front of Dax, stopping him in his tracks by poking him square in the chest. “All right. Time to talk. We were up all morning practicing my shielding, and you didn’t think to mention aruse?”

Adohan held back a sneering laugh, trying not to seem overly amused. “I never thought I would see the day Silver Shadow would allow someone to stop him with the might of a single poke.”

Dax grunted in annoyance and narrowed his eyes at the Crimson City high prince. “I believe Idris is already impatiently waiting on you, my friend. Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”

“Low blow, Daxton. Low… blow.” Adohan scowled but managed to flash me a confident grin as he passed us by.

I turned back to Dax and gave him a look, which meant I was serious and that nothing he could do was going to make it go away this time. “What is Castor talking about, and what parts do he and I have to play?”

I didn’t like this one bit.

“Talk.” I poked him again.

“All right, all right.” Dax grasped my wrist and pulled me to his side. We continued walking together through the halls with his arm draped around me. “You’ll arrive alongside Castor today, and tonight … you’ll attend the ball as his companion. You two will create the illusion that you are a pair.”

“What?” I exclaimed as I cocked my brow at him. “That—What? Why?”

“It’s to protect you,” Dax said swiftly in defense.

“Protect me? From what?” I was already entering the 100 percent failure rate trials. My life was already hanging dangerously in the balance. What more did he have to protect me from? Then it dawned on me. “Queen Minaeve?” Daxton’s nod was all the answer I needed.

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