Page 45 of A Trial of the Heart

Gods, this demanding drive to protect him was overwhelming, and I didn’t want to fight it anymore. My animal stirred in my center, encouraging me to give in to my feelings and allow all logic to fall to the side. If tonight was my last night in this world, I wouldn’t want to spend it anywhere else.

I held up my hands as I slid closer next to him. “Will you let me heal you? Please, Dax,” I practically begged. “Just enough so I won’t lose my mind with worry while I’m in the first trial.”

I could see him grimace, struggling to accept my request. I knew I was asking him to put aside his reservations to appease my own, and although it was selfish of me, I had no choice.

I saw him nod yes, and I didn’t hesitate to act, fearful he might change his mind. I called upon my healing magic and placed my palms under his silk shirt, resting them on top of his bare chest, concentrating on healing his energy levels.

After a minute, Daxton firmly grabbed my wrists in his hands. “That’s enough, Spitfire,” he said. The fact that he could lean forward without trembling meant I had done my job. “I can manage from here.”

I nodded in agreement, content with the amount of damage he allowed me to repair.

“All right,” I said, but he didn’t release me, nor did I move away.

“Skylar,” he whispered, and I imagined what deeper meaning lay beneath. “You don’t ever have to apologize for who you are or how you feel when you’re with me. The more time I’m gifted to spend in yourpresence, the more your strength and beauty—both inside and out—transcends past all my hopes and dreams.”

“Dax, I-I…” I was speechless. His quivering hand released my wrists and intertwined our fingers together. “If Castor hadn’t hauled me out of there tonight, I would’ve… I would have tried to kill her.”Gods. Above. I didn’t know if I could, but at that moment, watching him writhe in pain with his life being sucked out of him, I knew I wanted her dead.Seeing him and Adohan suffer like that bore a deep hole in my heart.

“I know,” he said softly as he pulled me closer. Daxton moved his shoulders, bringing himself into the dim light and drawing me in until his lips were mere breaths away from mine. “Trust me. I know.”

I didn’t dare move or even breathe. I couldn’t bring myself to kiss him, even though every fiber of my being was screaming inside to do it. I would wait for Daxton to take the lead, giving him control tonight.

This close to Daxton, I could feel his heart drumming inside his chest. Despite the coldness of his skin, I could sense a flicker of heat radiating from within his center. It sang to me, to my animal, and we were anxious to answer its call. His eyes scanned my features before finding the flower hairpin from Crimson City.

“This is beautiful,” he said.

“Remember asking me what my favorite flower was?” I watched Daxton’s eyes soften as he gave me a shallow nod. “This is it. I didn’t even know it existed until I saw it in the shop.”

“The moondance flower,” Daxton said the name with familiarity and ease.

“You know it?”

He reached up and stroked my cheek, bringing my gaze to meet his. “More than you know.” The way he looked at me stole the breath from my lungs.

Gazing into his entrancing eyes, I could feel the longing building behind his stare.“What do you want, Dax?”

It was the same question he asked me the night before. I allowed my fingers to trace over his arms and dared to move them toward the opening of his shirt against his chest.

“You,” he rasped with heavy, heated breath. “I wantyou, Skylar. I’m tired of fighting against my desire to have you, and so gods-damn sick of denying it.” I immediately pulled up my skirt, straddling his waist as his hands cupped my backside, possessively hauling me into his lap. “But…” he whispered.

Well, that’s one way to dampen a mood.

Chapter Ten

Ifroze and swallowed a gulp of regret for being so bold. Leaping into his lap and straddling him like this was impulsive. I tried to move back, but his grip stopped me.

Confused, I shook my head at him. His words and actions were not matching up. I cocked a suspicious brow toward him, silently asking,What the hell are you doing? He returned a deep, sensual grin paired with a chuckle of amusement that vibrated deep within his chest.

“But…?” I boldly asked.

Deciding to test a theory I rotated my hips, grinding my apex against his growing shaft. His immediate moan and heavy sigh in response were encouraging.

“Gods… Fuck, Skylar,” he cursed, his scent changing with his rising need. The aroma of his arousal was mind-altering, only making me crave him more. “You know, your arousal smells just as sweet to me,” Daxton whispered. “The calming yet wild nature of your burning spirit is a remedy I can’t seem to get enough of. The mere hint of your arousal makes me want to fall on my knees before you and worship you like the queen you are.”

“Tempting offer, Princey,” I teased, giving him a wicked grin as I threaded my hands into his hair. Itugged his head to the side as I bent to taste the nape of his neck. A low growling purr emanated from Daxton’s throat, urging me to continue tasting him. I began gently trailing my lips along the curve of his chin down to his ear. I then paused, feeling his entire body tense.

“But…?” I repeated, halting my progress.

Daxton encircled my long hair around his wrist and pulled me upward. “But—” His breath was staggered, and the entrance between my thighs dripped with anticipation. He was forceful and aggressive with his hold on me, controlling me in a primal way that sang to the animal thriving inside my middle.

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