Page 8 of A Trial of the Heart

Zola didn’t seem amused with my response as her lips pressed into a firm, thin line. “Give me your hand again,” she said, her gaze not once wavering. Her dark, ominous eyes were all-consuming, firm, and demanding. I doubted few beings alive today would refuse one of her commands.

I hesitated, contemplating whether I should follow her lead. My animal didn’t give any alarm inside my head, and with Daxton protectively standing beside me, I knew I would be safe. In the end, it was the spark of curiosity inside of me that turned into a blaze, and I reached out my hand to meet hers.

The same burning sensation ran along my skin, but it quickly dwindled into a simmer until, finally… there was nothing. Zola grabbed my other hand to test her theory further, but strangely, there was nothing.

“Interesting,” she murmured. “It must be my magic reacting to yours. I’ve never encountered a response like that. Including the previous four shifters that came before you.”

“Me either…” I said. “Glad I’m not the only one.”

“Your magic has a different effect with mine as well, Spitfire,” Daxton said.

Zola looked to Dax and then me again as he guided me back to our seats on the couch. Zola shifted around to my other side and took a seat next to me. She glanced at Daxton and then flashed me a half-grin that I believed was meant to comfort me, but in reality, it was slightly terrifying.

“Zola!” Idris’s cheerful voice announced her arrival as she openly flung herself across the room and into the Shadow Jumper’s arms.

“Good to see you, Idris,” Zola grunted, and I saw the hard exterior of the warrior soften to embrace a trusted friend. It was remarkable to witness Idris bring out this side of Zola, and to be honest, it helped me relax a little more in her presence. There was more to this spymaster than her hardened exterior and mask of shadows—just like Daxton.

“You didn’t come find me first when you arrived?” Idris asked. “I’m hurt. Truly hurt.”

Zola shook her head and rolled her eyes. “This wasn’t just a social call, Idris, and you know it.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Idris said. “When my closest friend comes intomyrealm, I expect an audience.” Her attention swept toward Daxton, and she raised a suspicious brow at him.

“Whosekingdom?” Adohan asked. Idris waved her hand, ignoring her mate.

“Glare all you want, Idris. But when I summonmyspymaster, she reports to me first. You know this, so don’t try and intimidate me or Zola with that look of yours. It won’t work—this time.”

Idris cocked a grin that stretched across her face. “Very well.Thistime.”

Then, a younger High Fae male entered the room.

“Astro,” Idris said with a smile. The male nodded to his mother in greeting.

Astro’s eyes were darker like Idris’s, and he lacked facial hair on his chin, but he was the spitting image of Adohan. Astro’s hair mimicked his father’s with long brown dreadlocks, almost black at the roots, that slowly changed into red along the bottom.

Adohan glanced toward his son with a questioning look. “Finn is right behind me, Father,” Astro said. “I stressed the urgency in the message, just like you asked. He replied right away that he was returning.”

Right on cue, another male, physically identical to his brother, joined us. The only difference between the two High Fae males was how they styled and possibly dyed their hair. Finn’s hair, which had a deep red color like their mother’s, was shaved on one side with the other side folded over and draped to his pointed ear.

“I’m not late, am I?” Finn panted, glancing toward his father. “I swear I came back as soon as Astro sent word to me.”

“I’m aware, Finn,” Adohan said, greeting his other son with a nod. “Am I not in the center of our kingdom for this exact purpose? I know what is happening at all times inside and around my borders.”

“Really, Adohan?” Idris asked. “Are you trying to sound like an arrogant know-it-all just because we have company or what?”

“Only because I know how much it pleases you, my love,” Adohan’s eyes softened as his wife— no, excuse me, hismate—joined him.

Idris smiled happily, curling into Adohan’s side and molding her body into the perfect puzzle piecemeant only for him. They shared a short yet passionate kiss before turning their attention back to the group.

Their bond was truly different, and I was beginning to understand why Castor corrected me back on the ship. There was a deeper soul connection with a High Fae mate bond, just like shifters. It reminded me of Magnus and Julia— then of Rhea and Talon. I smiled to myself, knowing that regardless of the differences between shifters and High Fae, the mate bond rang true.

My animal stirred once again in my chest, and I finally gave in to her pestering and turned to look at Dax.

“I can trust them,” I said in a hushed whisper. “I can trust everyone gathered here with us.” I knew because the same comforting warmth was present in my center.

He gave me one of his warm, charismatic smiles that made the floor drop from under me. His square jaw shifted to the side as his dimple appeared in his bearded cheek.

“Everyone here has earned my trust. I’m glad you feel the same.” The way he smiled at me made me want to throw away every fear I was holding on to and take a leap of faith in his strong, steadfast arms.

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