Page 36 of A Trial of the Heart

“So, everything you live for, then, I assume?” I arched my brow at him, and he gave me a half-grin, turning to brush his lips against my cheek as one of the guards switched his gaze toward us. I tried my best to fake my enjoyment, but all Castor would get out of me was compliance. I couldn’t bring myself to return that kind of affection.

“Alright, time for a confession,” I said, swallowing my nerves.

“And that is?” Castor asked, leaning in close. Luckily, he wasn’t much taller than me, so it made our hushed conversations easier to hide. From the outside looking in, it appeared that we were whispering sweet nothings to each other.

“I’ve never been to a ball … or any fancy party like this before.” Judging by the look on Castor’s face, this didn’t seem like a surprise to him, and that somehow put me at ease.

Castor rolled his eyes. “Shifters. It had to be shifters …”

Deciding to ignore Castor’s remark, I was still a bundle of shaking nerves, and my hands began to sweat. Thank the Gods, Castor didn’t notice, or he was trying to be nice and not taunt me about it for once.

The guards motioned for us to enter, and for the first time, I stepped into the Aelius court. The space was decorated with gold splendor that would put even the human king’s treasure vaults to shame. The floor-to-ceiling arched windows gazed out onto the surrounding landscape and Aelius, which was glowing with fae lightsthat sparkled against the darkening evening. The high vaulted ceiling was painted a deep blue, almost black, with dustings of gold specks that danced along the textured surface. The starry sky decorated above our heads trickled down into the white walls, slowly fading into gold designs that flickered like starlight. Large columns stood between the windows, and the same black thorny vines decorated the spiraling pillars. As we entered the massive room, the music slowly sank into the background while all the High Fae in attendance turned their attention toward me.

“Did I mention I don’t do well in situations like this?” I murmured while Castor released Idris and wrapped an arm around my middle, practically dragging me forward into the room.

“You’ll learn,” he said. “I’m a fabulous teacher, and I won’t let you tarnish my reputation. Now walk, one foot in front of the other. There you go.”

We passed through the crowded space, and each High Fae who met my gaze immediately dropped their heads in a show of respect. I blushed, “I still don’t understand why they’re all looking at me like this.”

Idris leaned in from Castor’s other side. “You still don’t get it, Skylar?”

“Clearly,” I mumbled, but she didn’t seem to hear me.

“You representhopefor all of us. For the first time ever, a shifter has volunteered to enter the trials. News of your resilience from your experience with the hunters has traveled with you here to the Inner Kingdom. For the first time in centuries, our people dare to dream of a life without the wilt.” She paused to look down and lovingly caressed her growing belly. “We havehopethat our children will be born, never having to live in a world filled with fear, never being locked in a cage.”

My heart stilled at her genuine words and heartfelt confession. I had become a beacon of hope for our world by simply doing what I believed was right.

“Are you beginning to understand?” Castor turned to look at me as reality of this finally sank in. I was about to say something when a grand melody erupted around the space, drawing our attention.

Idris removed herself from Castor’s company as she marched to the far side of the room. We both hastily followed in her footsteps, and I could see what she was pacing toward. At the opposing end of the ballroom was a raised platform with a set of five steps leading to a single golden throne where Minaeve, the High Queen of the Inner Kingdom, sat with her three high princes surrounding her.

Minaeve’s elegant black dress flowed alongside her golden throne, decorated in vibrant green and golden gems that sparkled when she shifted in her seat. The exposed front of her gown dropped below her navel, clinging tightly to her silhouette, highlighting the seductive feminine curves of her thin frame. Her luminous turquoise eyes popped against the colors painted on her tanned skin that shimmered with a magical glow. Wavy jet-black hair held a golden crown with three small glimmering translucent gems that sparkled like stars in the night sky.

There was no denying the high queen’s beauty, but I knew it only ran skin deep. The singular throne was a reminder to all those in attendance that Minaeve was the sole ruler of the Inner Kingdom. She alone was the leader, and although each prince held their own territory and power, they were all at her mercy.

“Very subtle,” I said under my breath.

As the crowds parted, I noticed Adohan seated on the lowest step. He wore the same-colored attire ashis mate with an elongated open-chested vest and fitted black pants. His golden armband matched a gilded crown on his brow that shone in the glimmering fae lights as he leaned forward, sensing his mate’s presence.

Adohan’s hazel gaze shot up from the floor as soon as Idris entered his line of sight. I watched him tense as Idris marched straight across the room without hesitation and reached out for him. She knelt next to Adohan on the steps, intentionally ignoring the glares from Minaeve, who sat above them on her throne. It was bold, perhaps stupidly brave, to ignore Queen Minaeve’s presence like that. They shared a sweet, longing kiss, and I smiled at the love they truly shared.

The next high prince on the middle steps directly at the feet of the queen was none other than Seamus. His dark green fitted coat was paired with black pants and knee-high boots, giving him a clean-cut look that I would deem handsome … if it were not on him. Gold thread accented his attire in elegant swirls paired with the same golden crown resting atop his tousled blond hair as Adohan’s.

Seamus’s forest-green eyes were locked on Idris and Adohan with keen interest and, possibly,longing. Was there a hint of jealousy for what they shared?

A mating bond amongst High Fae was highly regarded, sacred even. Could it be that Seamus covertly longed for a connection this deep and profound?

Crossing one ankle across his knee, Seamus leaned back and boldly ran his hand up Minaeve’s leg as he glanced her way. The longing, lustful look hung heavy in his eyes as he reached higher, stroking her inner thigh with his fingertips.

Then—Gods. Mother and Father, help me. I couldn’t bring myself to look past the queen’s throne to the final high prince at her side tonight. I purposely keptmy eyes tilted down, not wanting to find the male that would tear away the mask I had worked so hard to build.

Castor was muttering pleasantries to the queen and guided me into a low bow that I executed with absolute perfection. As we rose, however, I could no longer look away.

Discreetly, frost brushed against the nape of my neck. The ice-cold caress on my skin sank into my middle, igniting a blaze that spiraled through my limbs. I recognized his magic instantly and couldn’t fight the pull from my animal that pushed me to meet his gaze. So, I bravely braced myself for the inevitable.

Time stood still as I lifted my amber eyes to the High Prince of Silver Meadows, stoically standing beside the high queen’s throne.

Handsome would not do him justice. He was the epitome of grace and power, something I imagined even the Gods would envy. Daxton’s hair was pulled back, framed by a crown of golden thorns that highlighted his square jaw and jet-black trimmed beard. He shifted on his feet as a lock of his midnight-streaked hair fell across his brow. I waited on bated breath as our eyes locked on to each other. His lips parted as he took in a deep, silent gasp, causing my knees to tremble underneath my skirt. One look from him and my whole body hummed with a melody that spanned across the distance that separated us. It was a song that only we could hear, a tune so sweet and lovely that it made you stop and listen.

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