Page 71 of A Trial of the Heart

“Unfortunately, yes.” Daxton kept his gaze firmly on the dangers that his instincts told him were still lurking just below the surface of the water. “Rhett is the keeper of the scroll, which has the description of the next trial. And Minaeve…”

“I have to face her again.,” I said as Daxton met my stare and gave a firm nod. “I’m not scared of her. I still can’t believe she tried to imprison me when I reappeared at the entrance.”

“The others won’t either,” Castor added. “Her actions went against everything our people have been fighting for over the past five hundred years.”

“For the first time, I believe Minaeve was afraid.” Daxton’s magic whipped across my neck, giving me a comforting embrace. I welcomed the feel of his ice against my skin and flashed him a small smile of thanks.

“There were witnesses to not only her treatment of you, Skylar, but of your own power as well. Minaeve might fear that her control over the Inner Kingdom is slipping.” Daxton’s expression remained calm despite the worry I could see in the way he began cracking the knuckles on his right hand.

“I used an alpha command.” They both nodded in agreement. “Well, no hiding that trick now, I guess.”

“It’s impressive if not somewhat terrifying. Mind control, it seems.” Castor flung out his arms in a questioning manner. “Why in all of Valdor, would you want to hide it?”

“Because I don’t know how to control it, Castor.” That much was obvious. “I was reacting on pure instinct while I was underground.”

It was just like the other times I had used it against Gilen and, ironically enough, against Castor as well. It was interesting that my ability worked not only on shifters, but also on High Fae. Maybe, it was because I was a half-breed? Shifters were once, very long ago before the separation of our species, fae.

“You’ll figure it out with time, Skylar,” Dax said, his ice magic continued caressing the nape of my neck. “Would you like to get dressed before we leave?”

I glanced at my bloodied clothes on the shoreline and a better idea popped into my mind. “Can you burn those instead? This slip is fine for now. I honestly don’t care what I wear when I face Queen Minaeve, but I would prefer never to wear those again.”

“Very well.” Daxton placed an arm around my shoulder while Castor retrieved the armor of Aegis. Daxton magically summoned a spark that ignited the clothing I tossed in the sand. The blaze was short-lived but symbolic, nonetheless. I steadied myself, preparing for whatever lay ahead and ready to face the next trial lying in my path.

“All right, let’s go back.”

Chapter Fifteen

“Did either of you know about the history of my surname?” I asked as Daxton teleported us inside the walls of the Aelius castle. He grimaced from the strain on his magic but quickly concealed evidence of his discomfort. His expression relaxed as he released his hold on me and Castor.

“No,” they answered in unison.

“But,” Daxton added, “it does fit your history due to your father’s status and your ability to produce a powerful command that can affect High Fae and shifters alike.”

“I need to learn to control it,” I said as we marched forward. I didn’t want to waste any more time. I had to face High Queen Minaeve. I had to find out what the next trial would be.

Even if I was offered the tonic of the sleeping dead, rest wouldn’t come for me. There was too much to do and so little time to do it. I didn’t even bother to change out of the slip that Daxton conjured for me on the beach. I personally didn’t give two shits about what I was wearing when I addressed the queen and her court. The scars of my victory were painted on my flesh, in mymind, and on my soul. No amount of finery was going to cover that. I would walk into Minaeve’s court a different person from who I was only a night before.

My mind raced with the knowledge King Malek shared. My ancestors were the first ever shifters created by the Heart of Valdor and the Gods.

Throughout generations of our people, alphas fluctuated between a handful of different family bloodlines. The reign of a pack leader lasted until another shifter surpassed them. It could be decades or perhaps a handful of years. A shifter gifted with the strongest magic rightfully held the title of alpha. Power wasn’t a privilege or a right. Instead, we saw it as a responsibility to serve our pack and family.

Opposite to how Queen Minaeve ruled over her people.

“You’ll learn to control your powers, Skylar,” Daxton said with encouragement. “All you need is practice. You need a chance to work with your gift instead of hiding it. It’ll take time.”

“We don’t have time.” I closed my eyes and shook my head in frustration.

“I’m not volunteering to be her test subject,” Castor added. “I’ve experienced the effects of her alpha commandthingbefore, and it’s unnerving to lose control of yourself like that.”

“I didn’t mean to do it,” I said remorsefully. recalling the night I used my magic to force Castor to answer my questions about Daxton’s injuries. It wasn’t one of my proudest moments, but I was grateful for the outcome.

“Right.” Castor sighed. “Imagine what else you could have made me do in other scenarios. That would be exciting—” Daxton and I stopped in our tracks, andDax gave him a look that, for once, silenced his mockery.

“Don’t push me, Castor,” I said. “You’re tempting me to use my gifts to command your silence.”

“That would be thebestday.” Daxton laughed, clearing his throat before speaking once more. “We’ll help you in any way we can, Spitfire.” Daxton shot his brother a firm warning glare.

Castor narrowed his eyes and scoffed. “Fine. I may not want to, but I can’t deny that this gift you seem to have may just, in fact, save your life. And in turn, all of our lives in the process.”

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