Page 49 of A Trial of the Heart

“Sleep, Skylar,” Daxton whispered as he stroked my hair. “I’ll wake you when it’s time. The Father still watches us from above in the sky, waiting for his mate to shine her rays down upon our morning.”

I could feel my breathing slow as I clung to Daxton, feeling the warmth of his body returning. He held me close and gently stroked my hair until the world around me turned black, and I drifted into a deep, restful sleep.

From a high window near the ceiling, sunlight peeked through the tinted glass, shining directly on my eyes and waking me from a dreamless sleep. I tried to move, but Daxton’s arm was draped over me, and I didn’t want to disturb him.

I glanced at his sleeping face and melted. Dax was so strikingly handsome that it was hard to believe he was real. While he slept, it was downright sinful. I reached up and stroked his cheek, waiting patiently for those storm-gray eyes to open and greet the morning with me.

“Hello.”

Daxton blinked when he found me looking up at him. “Hello, Spitfire.” He affectionately bent to kiss my brow before finding my lips, looping his other arm tightly around my waist. “Wasn’t I supposed to wake you?”

“I’m an early riser,” I said. “Can’t help it, but it is well past morning by now…”

Gods Above. Past morning.

Daxton stilled as the reality of today came crashing through our bubble of tranquility. I shot up and practically jumped from the bed, pacing the floor as he raised himself up onto his elbows. I held my hand to my head, racing through a million thoughts and questions pinging around my mind.

What if I fail? What if I win? Crossing the divide … what will I choose? What fears or mind games will I encounter? What logic will be tested? What will I face inside the labyrinth?

“Skylar.” Daxton’s voice was steady, commanding my attention with just the use of my name on his lips. “Stop spiraling.”

Dax swung his feet over the edge of the bed and stood up. “You can do this.” I stared blankly at him, clinging to the strength and stability he had always given freely to me. “Remember, the courage of your heart is more important than physical strength. You have the ability to defeat the labyrinth, Spitfire.” His stare bore into me, and I became enraptured by the confidence pouring out of his eyes. “Repeat my words,” hecommanded. “I can do this.” He moved to grasp my hands, resting his brow against mine, and inhaling a deep breath while he closed his eyes.

“I can do this,” I repeated, sinking into his rhythm and matching my breathing with his.

“I will defeat the trial of the mind.”

“I will defeat the trial of the mind.”

“When hardship and fear threaten my victory, I will not turn back. I will continue forward.”

The certainty of his voice was overpowering, and I knew he believed every word he spoke to me. “When hardship and fear threaten my victory… I will not turn back. I will continue forward.”

“I carry the love and strength of my pack and the hope of all fae that live in the Inner Kingdom.”

With power pulsing from my animal within my chest, I repeated, “I carry the love and strength of my pack in Solace and the hope of all fae that live in the Inner Kingdom.”

“I am Skylar Cathal,” Daxton began, but I didn’t need him to finish the words I knew I needed to say out loud.

“I am Skylar Cathal, champion of the Solace pack, and Iwillconquer the trials. Iwillunlock the Heart of Valdor. And Iwillcleanse our world of the wilt.”

Chapter Eleven

The first trial is here.

And I am ready.

The stone steps below the palace of Aelius echoed with the sounds of our boots as we slowly descended into obscurity. Fae lights hung along the low ceiling of the passageway, guiding our way through with light from one beginning just as another ended. The shadows that crept along the sides didn’t dare approach us as we marched into the depths of the dungeons—one forced step at a time.

Regardless of the outcome today, I would never regret taking my cousin Neera’s place as Queen Minaeve’s chosen participant. Saving her from the fate of leaving her home and entering the trials of the Heart of Valdor was worth the cost of my life if I failed, though that was not my intention. I was determined to win.

My thoughts drifted to the family I left at home in Solace. Knowing I carried each one of them with me as I marched forward with my head held high.

I wondered what had become of my pack. Was Gilen now our alpha? Would he lead our people with the strength and courage I knew he carried?

Despite my vendetta toward his intention to claim me, I understood why. However, fate held a different path for me. My heart didn’t belong with Gilen. And even though I was likely marching down the steps to my death, I was relieved that destiny decided to bring me here.

As ridiculous as it sounded, I began counting the steps as we descended further into the darkened stone hallway beneath the palace of Aelius. I did my best to swallow the inner demons that were clawing away at my nerves as we continued underground, these steps reminding me of the ones I was dragged through in the hunter’s lair.

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