Page 7 of A Trial of the Heart

Yup, Castor was back to his usual self. I rolled my eyes at him and stepped over the trickling crimson water that encircled the space.

“How and why… is this water red?” I asked, looking toward Adohan. I did my best not to glance at Daxton. He would be able to read me like an open book, and my private eavesdropping would quickly become public knowledge.

“We’re in Crimson City, are we not?” Adohan beamed and stood to offer me a seat between the lounging lazy Castor and my Silver Shadow, Daxton. I accepted his offer and tried my best to relax as I sat down.

“The red clay beds and sandstone that help shape our landscape influence the coloring of this infamous treasure of ours,” the high prince said, pride beaming in his hazel eyes. “The minerals collected by this river are said to revitalize your spirits, and many choose to bathe in the red waters to help rejuvenate themselves.”

“Does it actually work?” I asked.

“Look for yourself.” Adohan hummed as he motioned toward his frame. “This is the face of beauty and wonder, while Castor, on the other hand…” He then flicked his wrist in Castor’s direction on the chaise. “Is cold and off-putting like his ice and snow.” His expression morphed into a beaming grin that contrasted stunningly against his darkened skin tone.

“Ha!” Castor laughed, still covering his face with his arm. “Good one, Adohan. It’s nice to see your sense of humor hasn’t dried up in this blasted hot box you call home.”

“Is he wrong, though, Cas?” Daxton raised his brows as he glanced back at his brother. “You’ve been known to be a bit frigid at times. Especially when it concerns the morning after you’ve bedded a female.”

I couldn’t help chuckling lightly at Daxton’s comment. Even he was joining in on teasing Castor, who, more often than not, deserved it.

“The two of you can shove off,” Castor murmured while he held up his middle fingers to both of them.

“Good to see Castor’s still in high spirits,” a sharp feminine voice sounded from behind the shadows.

I jumped up, but Dax was there in an instant, his hand caressing my back, trying to help calm my nerves.

“It’s all right,” Dax said evenly. “That’s Zola.”

“Zola?” I repeated as I turned to the shadows cast along the corner of the room. I regained my composure as I returned to my seat.

“When did theShadow Stalkerget here?” Castor groaned as he turned over onto his stomach.

“She’s been here the entire time, Castor.” Dax shook his head and sighed, placing his head in the palm of his hand, looking exhausted. “You clearly need some rest, brother.”

Castor lifted his arm and glared at Daxton. “Pot calling the kettle black again, brother?”

Gods above. Even I could see how worn down and exhausted Castor was from the dark circles that enveloped his eyes. Dax told me he was working with the fallen I had healed, and it was clear that neither of them had acquired much sleep since our time in the wilt.

“I’ll take this as my cue then.” Castor flung his arm to the side and slouched over his bent knees before pushing himself to stand. “I’ll go check on her.”

“Her?” I asked as Dax moved closer to me on the cushioned couch. The heat I felt radiating from his body ironically sent chills across my skin.

“The fallen High Fae you healed,” Daxton said in a whisper.

Oh,thather. This was going to be an interesting meeting indeed.

Daxton’s arm lightly brushed against my thigh and settled on my knee. My core tightened as I crossed my legs to try and alleviate the tension I felt pulling me toward him. I was still mildly upset about his comment earlier in my room, along with the unknown topic of their conversation I had overheard just moments ago.

“This is her, then?” Zola asked from the corner as she scanned over me with cunning dark brown, almost black oval eyes.

I tilted my head to the side, watching Zola step into the sunlight for the first time, unveiling herself from the shadows. At first glance, she had the typical stunning beauty of any High Fae, but when I took a closer look, I could sense something different about her. Her dark, tawny skin was marked with wisps of black ink extending along her arms and exposed neck, reminding me of tiger stripes. I imagined the markings traced along her back as well, possibly covering the rest of her trimmed muscular frame. Someone could assume that she was thin or frail, but then they would be sorely mistaken. Zola was average height with a thinner build, yes. But I could see that below the black leathers she wore, hidden strength lay underneath her thin frame. Zola flipped her long black braid over her square shoulder as she approached Dax and me.

Dax met Zola’s gaze and nodded, his left hand still gently resting on my knee as she approached us. He squeezed it before releasing his hold on me, brushing his hand along my back to encourage me to greet Zola.

“Hi, nice to meet you, I’m Sky.” I stood and held out my hand. Zola seemed skeptical at first, but she eventually reciprocated and accepted my greeting. The second her skin touched mine, it felt like a burning flameengulfed our flesh, causing both of us to gasp and release one another instantly.

“What… What was that?” I exclaimed, examining my hand for any burn marks.

Zola looked just as confused as I did for a moment but then quickly regained her composure. “Hold out your hand again,” she said in a firm tone, narrowing her dark brows.

“I’d rather not,” I said as Daxton arose to stand at my side. “No offense, but that wasn’t pleasant.”

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