Page 27 of A Trial of the Heart

“But I—” I shook my head. I didn’t think this was going to work. Hiding how I was feeling for Daxton seemed impossible.

“I also want him with you because, with his gift, he’ll be able to detect any threats toward you when I can’t be there.”

“I see.”

“It’ll be difficult for me as well, Skylar,” Daxton admitted as we continued toward the stables. He paused as he turned and looked up at me from below the steps. “I’ll have to force myself not to rush to your side when you enter a room. Your beauty and ferocity undoubtedly will draw the attention of everyone around you, and I’ll have to simply stand idly by and watch,” Dax said with remorse. “I won’t be able to smile as you catch me watching you out of the corner of your eye. I’ll have to refrain from laughing at your witty remarks or even admiring the beauty of your curious mind as you ask a million and one questions to everyone you meet.”

“Dax—”

He delicately brought my hand to his lips. “Whenever you see me tonight, please remember that I must become someone else. I won’t be—”

“Well, there you two are!” Idris bellowed, interrupting our conversation. “All right, we’re all set. Sky, I have the perfect mare for you to fly on. She’s already saddled, and your pack with your things is strapped to her back.”

“I—Wait, what? Did you say ‘mare’ and ‘fly’ in the same sentence?” I stammered for a moment.

“Of course!” Idris exclaimed. “Oh wait! I forgot to show you! Sorry, I hope you are all right with flying, cause that is the fastest way to get to Aelius.”

“Flying … on?”

“Pegasi, of course.”

My jaw practically dropped as Daxton wisely moved aside, allowing me to sprint around the corner tosee the paddock of horses. No, excuse me—wingedhorses.

“I told you it was a good surprise,” Dax said as I stared in awe at the magnificent creatures that were prancing and kicking up dry dirt beneath their hooves.

“Oh, my Gods!” I exclaimed. “They’re magnificent, Idris!”

“My own herd,” she said, beaming with pride. “Didn’t think Adohan mated with a nobody, did you?” She winked. “My family has been caring for this pegasi herd for as long as I can remember. We’ve cared for and supplied Crimson City with these fearless mounts in battles for centuries.”

“All right, so we’re going toflyto Aelius then?”

“Yes!” Idris smiled as she walked over to a pair of black pegasi, holding the mare’s reins out for me to take. “This is Nisha. She’s one of the most graceful fliers I have, and I believe she’ll be the smoothest ride for you.”

“Well, hello there, Nisha,” I said to the pegasus, who bobbed her head in reply. “Can they understand me?” I whispered to Dax, who went to greet his own midnight-black stallion.

“Yes,” he answered. “They’re very intelligent creatures, and although they don’t speak like we do, they can communicate in other ways.”

I held out my hand so the mare could smell me, releasing my shield for a second before turning it back on again. She whined and flipped her ebony mane, snorting and pawing at the ground with her hooves. I noticed Idris stopped to observe what the pegasus was doing but didn’t intervene. I stood still, watching her pound the dry earth, kicking up dust before she released a loud, high-pitched sound that startled the rest of the pegasi in the paddock and the stables.

“What did you do, Spitfire?” Daxton asked as he tried to calm his own mount.

“I don’t know. I let her smell me. I lowered my barrier for a second; that was all, I swear.” Idris tried to calm her and Adohan’s colts while Castor rejoined us and quickly jogged over to try to stop his painted mare from flying off into the sky.

Then, all of a sudden, Nisha raised onto her hindquarters and crashed onto her powerful front legs, breathing heavily yet remaining utterly still. My animal awakened inside me, bringing forth a wave of magic that flowed like liquid heat in my blood. I knew my eyes were glowing with the amber haze as I boldly met the mare’s midnight-black stare. She snorted, gentler this time, and bent down onto her front legs. Lowering her head in a bow, she remained steady before me as the other surrounding pegasi did the same. Everyone stared at me with the same puzzled expression.

“Well, that’s a first,” Adohan commented to Idris.

“It must be her shifter half. The pegasi are led by a matriarchal society, but Nisha is still so young,” Idris added. “What animal are you, Sky?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe my animal is a horse, and that’s why they recognize me?” A spark of power ignited through my middle in response. “Or maybe not?”

“Well, they’re calm now,” Castor added. “We need to get going before Skylar riles them up again.”

I moved my hand against the soft velvet coat of Nisha’s shoulders, careful not to touch her delicate feathers. Swinging my foot into the saddle, I sat comfortably on my mare’s back as she spread her midnight wings, preparing to lift us into the sky.

“Ready?” Daxton asked as his stallion trotted beside my mare.

“Absolutely,” I answered as our mounts flapped their magnificent wings, running toward the fence and taking off to soar into the sky.

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