Page 26 of A Trial of the Heart

After what I learned last night, I felt sick speaking her name out loud. I’d disliked her before, and after hearing everything she did to Daxton and the other royals—let alone her people—I despised her even more.

“But why? Why do I need to be protected against her?” I still didn’t understand, and I needed him to elaborate on his reasoning.

Daxton stopped and gave me a soft half-smile as he reached to push a strand of hair out of my eyes. His hand lingered on my cheek as I leaned into his calloused palm. I reveled in the roughness of his hands when theytouched my skin. He wasn’t just some highbrow royal with a title. He had fought and earned everything he had in this life, and it made me admire him more for it.

“Do you really have to ask that question, Spitfire?”

I could assume that Daxton’s own emotions mirrored everything I was feeling, but I had been burned by that blind belief before. I didn’t want that to happen again. “Why?” I asked.

“If Minaeve discovers that I’ve grown fond of another … she’ll use you to manipulate me or worse, threaten to harm you. Champion or not.” Daxton’s brows pinched together. “At the end of the day, all she cares about is her crown and power. Anything that stands in her way she cuts down without a second thought. I don’t want to test the limits of her self-control. My feelings for you threaten her hold over me and Silver Meadows. I won’t forgive myself if I’m the reason anything happens to you.”

Feelings for me?

“Do you believe she would have me killed if she found out?” I didn’t necessarily want to ask the question, but I couldn’t help it. I needed to know everything before entering the Aelius court.

“She would try,” Dax growled. “And she would fail. But I don’t want to take unnecessary risks if we don’t have to. Regardless of what happens to me,youwill not be touched or harmed.”

I squeezed his hand, demanding his attention. “You mean besides the trials?”

He sighed as the corner of his mouth curved to the side and he gave me a nod. “Once you defeat the first trial and we are out of Aelius, we can drop the ruse. Silver Meadows will be the safest place for you inside the Inner Kingdom.”

“So, you’refondof me, huh?” I asked with a coy grin. It wasn’t a full disclosure of his feelings, but I would take what I could.

He arched his brow and bent to kiss my cheek. “Veryfond of you, actually.”

All right, he added thevery,which was helpful. I would accept it for now, but if and when I survived the trials, I’d ask him again, and perhaps I’d have my own answer as well.

“What’re you scheming?” Dax speculated.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“I always want to know what you’re thinking, Spitfire.” He inhaled a deep breath near the base of my neck. “Your progress with your magic is remarkable. I imagine it’s because you already had experience utilizing your healing powers.” His lips brushed against my skin, causing my knees to wobble. “Sadly, though, I think it’s backfiring for me. I can’t pinpoint exactly what you’re feeling when your barrier is up.”

“Sucks, doesn’t it?” I taunted as I playfully turned my head to stick out my tongue.

“Careful,” Dax warned. “You remember whatmytongue can do.” I blushed and bit my lower lip. I knew exactly what it could do. “Then again,” he said in a rasped voice, “I’m beginning to understand your subtle quirks and hints. I don’t think you’ll be able to deceive me for long.” He shifted closer to me as I looked up into his luminous eyes.

I saw his desire threatening to break through the shield of self-control he kept as a facade for the rest of the world—but not with me. He was opening up and sharing who he was.

“I could argue the same thing,” I said. Dax grinned softly as I reached up to pull on the base of hisneck, longing for his kiss. “Dax,” I said, tensing, “I’m entering the trials tomorrow and—”

“Shhhh.” Dax steadied my nerves as he wrapped his arms around me. “Everything will be all right. We came up with this ruse because we believe you will succeed. I’m planning to see you enter and come out of the trials alive. In fact, I’ve already wagered gold coins in favor of you doing so.”

“Against whom?”

“No one in particular.”

“Do I get half the trove?” Daxton chuckled as he bent his brow to mine. “It’s only fair, as I’m doing most of the work.”

“It’s only fair,” he repeated.

“All right then,” I said, swallowing my fear and lifting my chin with the confidence that Dax instilled in me. “Let’s go.”

“Good,” he said, hesitating to release his hold on me. “We better hurry along before the others come looking for us.”

“So, why Castor?” I questioned as we continued walking along the open walkway, the hot morning air slowly becoming sticky and thick.

Dax held my hand as he led me outside the confines of Adohan and Idris’s home, meandering down the sandstone steps toward the stables. “Castor is known for his wandering eye and holds the reputation of stealing the hearts of young females. The ruse is that he has wooed you, and you are head over heels for him. That’s what others will believe and won’t question.”

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