Page 53 of A Trial of the Heart

“I can tell you’re spiraling,” Daxton murmured as he pressed his forehead against mine. “Don’t overthink it. Just tell—”

This time, I silencedhim.

I surged forward, crashing my lips against his and entangling my fingers into his free-flowing hair. He shifted against me, pressing his body against mine and lifting me off my feet with the sweep of his tongue across the inside of my mouth. His hands migrated over the armor he had just helped me fasten, fondling me through my layers of protection that I hoped to the Gods I wouldn’t need. I knew this kiss couldn’t last much longer, so I savored every second of it.

We both paused, regrettably breaking our embrace as we possessively wrapped our arms around each other. “I’m not scared of the labyrinth, Dax,” I boldly whispered.

“You never cease to amaze me, Spitfire,” Daxton said as he nuzzled into the nape of my neck.

Sadly, we both knew our moment together was gone.

“Dax. Sky…” Castor’s warning echoed from the staircase.

“There’s not enough time,” Daxton murmured as I pulled back to look at him. “Skylar—”

“Shh,” I said as I quickly pressed a light kiss to his lips. “I said I wasn’t afraid, but if you start talking like this is the last time I’ll see you, then … Then I’ll start second-guessing my chances of coming out of this alive.” I flashed him a reassuring grin, trying to give him the strength he had always shared with me.

“Wise for someone so young.”

“Rhett can eat his words,” I said with a coy grin. “It’s okay,” I whispered, placing my hands on his chest. “Elders in my pack say the mind is the first thing to go with old age. I’m here to keep you all on your toes.” I couldn’t help teasing him. I needed to see his smile once more before Dax had to disappear, and his Silver Shadow mask needed to be worn once again.

“Again, you never cease to amaze me.” He hugged me tight, giving me exactly what I needed to take the next steps forward.

Castor’s footsteps were hesitant at first, but we all knew time was not on our side. “I’m sorry,” he said in a reluctant tone.

“Don’t be,” I said. “I’m ready.” I turned to Daxton with power blazing in my amber eyes that fueled me with strength. He nodded and bent to kiss not my hand but the scar beneath my right wrist.

Castor glided silently next to me, extending his arm. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” I said, staring into Daxton’s comforting gaze for what could be the last time.

“Then let’s go. If we spend any more time lingering, Minaeve may send Seamus to retrieve us.”

“He’s the last thing I want to deal with right now.”

“Agreed,” Daxton said as he turned and began leading Castor and me through the fae-lit hallway.

Thanks to my shifter half, I was able to see perfectly in the dark and didn’t need the fae lights to see what lay in wait for me ahead. Queen Minaeve wore a deep green gown embroidered with gold stitching that shimmered against the three sparkling gems on thecrown that grazed the top of her flowing ebony hair. Her turquoise eyes, painted with gold, narrowed as she watched us approach the entrance to the labyrinth. I didn’t know what she was trying to speculate over or infer from our arrival, but Castor only drew me in closer to keep the facade of our intimate relationship.

Seamus was armed with a long sword at his queen’s side. His dark forest-green armor matched his queen’s and contrasted against his light blond hair. He wore a skeptical expression on his face that made my insides twist in on themselves. Seamus reminded me of a snake, always lurking and yet still unpredictable in when they would strike. I imagined if he were a shifter, that animal would fit him perfectly.

“You gave her the armor of Aegis?” Minaeve said to Rhett, who stood off to the side, cloaked in shadows underneath the arching fae lights.

“Of course,” Rhett replied. “I followed your request, my queen, and sought out the trinket myself.” Oh, great. This was somehow her idea? I was now regretting putting this on.

“I don’t recall giving you the directive of arming the shifter,” Minaeve sneered, and I couldn’t help the look of surprise that crossed my features.

Rhett shifted out from the shadow and faced Seamus and High Queen Minaeve. “I believe you instructed us to do all that was in our power to help aid the champion and ensure her arrival at the first trial. The poor creature was shaking so badly the other night at the thought of facing this trial, and I thought of something that would help ease her worry.”

“But this is a trial of the mind,” Seamus cut in as Castor and I reached them.

“Yes,” Rhett countered, “and the mind is a powerful tool that can force the body to succumb towounds and vice versa. This adds a layer of protection to ease the strain of the mind, knowing the body is well guarded.”

Seamus grunted with annoyance and rolled his eyes, but I could tell that he was not going to argue against Rhett’s logic. Rhett might not be a hardened warrior like the rest of them, but his knowledge and wit were just as sharp as their blades.

“Very well,” Minaeve muttered. “Shifter.” Her attention snapped to me, and I felt a curl of darkness laced in her words as she pushed her power throughout our surroundings. “The labyrinth entrance is through the black fog. It will only allow the bearer of the champion’s mark to pass through. Once inside, you have until sundown to complete the unknown tasks that lie ahead.”

I knew all this, and I didn’t see why she needed to repeat herself. “I understand.”

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