Page 5 of A Trial of the Heart

“Daxton gave the seamstress specific instructions for this gown himself,” Idris said with a satisfied grin. Her small, delicate nose scrunched along the sides as her smile grew.

“Dax had this made for me?” I was surprised and touched by his attention to the details he knew I would love. I blushed, realizing he specifically chose this color because he knew it was my favorite. He had listened. He’d remembered.

Idris nodded. “I believe he intended for you to wear this at the ball in Aelius.” I gave her a confused look, and she exhaled. “Forgive me. I’m sorry this is all new to you. The high queen hosts a ball the evening before the trials begin,” she said, rubbing her temple. “There’s some symbolic reason for this, but my mind is foggy from the pregnancy. Oh, good Gods above.” Idris groaned as she sat on the corner of the bed. “As thechampion…you, my dear, will be the main attraction of the evening.”

I gulped and bit my lower lip as I moved to inspect the other items of clothing. “Well, that soundsfun…” I wondered if Idris would catch my sarcastic tone.

Idris’s huff of a laugh in response gave me my answer. I was glad to see she had a sense of humor. From how she practically manhandled Daxton and her mate, Adohan, I concluded that she had a strong personality despite her size. In times of need, she was someone you wanted on your side.

“Daxton said as much,” Idris added, looking through the various outfits laid out in front of us. “He mentioned you wouldn’t be thrilled about it, which is why I imagine you haven’t heard about it yet. But this gown…” She paused to run her finger over the fine decadent designs in the midnight-purple fabric. “This is one of our tailor’s best works, and that is saying something. When he showed this to me, I punched Adohan and demanded why, in over three hundred years of being mated together, he hadn’t commissioned a gown like this for me.”

“I didn’t mean to cause trouble—”

“Come on, Skylar,” Idris said with a playful tone. “It’s perfect timing! This baby he planted in my belly will only grow, and I need new dresses to accommodate the later months of my pregnancy.”

“How far along are you?”

“Eight months if you can believe it—with only four more to go. High Fae babies take a full year to grow and mature in the womb. I’m envious of shifters and even humans with shorter gestation periods. Near the ten-month mark,” she said, leaning onto the bedding, “I’m going to be ready to pop, and Adohan,unfortunately, will be taking the brunt of my frustrations. But at least this time, there is only one, and not two.”

“Your twin sons Finn and Astro, right?” I asked as I slipped on my new undergarments.

“Daxton told us Castor was teaching you about the dynamics of the different courts. Great memory.” She held up a long, flowing slitted skirt paired with shorts and a sheer long-sleeve top. “Yes, thank the Mother, she only blessed us with one this time. The birth of our twins nearly split me in two. The trauma I endured is why this little one took so long to join us.” She smiled as she affectionately hugged her belly. “I pray the babe is female. Someone needs to help me navigate this crazy house with three males constantly running amok.”

I slipped on the skirt and pulled the shirt over my head. “This is surprisingly comfortable,” I said. I could get used to dressing up if it felt like this.

“The fabric is lightweight and will protect your fair skin from the intense sun rays. No offense,” Idris teased in a humorous laugh, “but your light complexion would burn to a crisp in only one afternoon.”

“It definitely would,” I said. “Thanks for thinking of that. I’ve been sunburned a few times during the hot summer months back home, and I would prefer not to have that happen again.”

It wasn’t one of the fondest memories from my childhood. The blisters alone kept me up all night for days, and nothing I could do would cool my boiling skin.

“Now for your hair.” Idris motioned for me to sit at a nearby vanity as she moved around, assessing the state of my tangled mop of brown and gold. “Would you let me braid it?”

“Sure,” I said, and she immediately got to work.

Idris quickly took strands near one side of my face and braided them tightly against my head, flowing toward the back where multiple strands ended together. The other side flowed freely down past my shoulders, isolating different pieces and mixing them into the style on the opposing side.

“There. How does that look?”

I gazed into the mirror and turned my head, examining her fast handiwork. I couldn’t help but smile. “It’s beautiful.”

“Don’t underestimate the little things, Skylar.” Idris squeezed my shoulders, giving me a kind smile. “Celebrate the small gifts we’re allowed to give ourselves. Don’t forget it’s not truly living if you only strive to survive.”

Her words resonated deep within my middle, and my animal gave me the same warm, comforting feeling I had with Captain Fjorda. I knew she was telling me that Idris was someone we could trust.

“Sound advice,” I said in agreement.

“All right, now let’s get a move on.” Idris took my hand and led me out the room. “The others will be waiting for us.”

We entered the vast hallway that seemed more like a balcony. The opening on one side overlooked Crimson City below us, while the tanned wall to my right held natural ivy-like vines intertwining in a beautiful natural design. Their home was built on a raised hill or plateau, with the city expanding around all sides below. The rustle and bustle below were the opposite of the peaceful quiet of Solace and the surrounding forest. This place thrived and behaved like I imagined the human kingdom would. Detached from nature yet still alive in its own unique way.

I admired the differences between our two cultures as I took in the beauty of all the life surrounding us. We walked until a corner forced us to turn right and follow a narrower corridor toward the center of their home.

“It’s a giant square,” Idris said. “You can’t get lost, and if you do, then I’d worry about your mental capacity.”

“Lady Idris!” a call came from behind us. “Lady Idris!”

We stopped and turned toward the High Fae running down the hallway. I found it interesting that he didn’t refer to Idris asprincesseven though she was the mate of High Prince Adohan.

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