Page 79 of A Trial of the Heart

“Right,” I teased, my playful smile mimicking his own. “I can see where your brother learned to inflate his ego.”

“Who said I was talking about myself?” Daxton leaned in closely, meticulously caressing the curves of my body so he wouldn’t miss a thing. “That is self-inflating.” His teeth nipped at my ear as he whispered, “Besides, I would much rather have you take that role instead.”

“Don’t tempt me.” I breathed heavily, the throbbing between my legs turning into an aching need.

“Why not? This is extremely … entertaining.” Daxton’s growl vibrated along my skin, reaching the base of my neck, where his lips hovered.

“Because I don’t have as firm a hold on my self-control as you do, apparently,” I said.

“And who’s saying that’s a negative trait to have?”

“You. Literally one minute ago…youdid.”

“Ahh, right,” he said, nodding and turning his gray eyes to me. The heat of his desire lingering in his stare made my body melt. “It’s hard to argue with such pristine wisdom.”

“You’re unbelievable.” I laughed.

“Why thank you.” His smile curled wildly across his comely face.

“Oh, Gods, Daxton!” I shouted, playfully smacking him in the arm and pushing him away.

Faster than I could blink, he spun me around, placing my back to his chest. He held me close as he bent to whisper in my ear, “I didn’t know you could see the future, Spitfire, because that’s exactly what I plan to have you screaming sooner rather than later.”

My eyes rolled into the back of my head as his filthy words spun me like a top. Gods, I wanted him.

“Daxton.” Castor’s voice boomed from the trees where we left Idris and Adohan. “We need to move out.”

Daxton tensed and immediately went on high alert, protectively draping an arm around me and holding me close to his side. “Did you have a vision?”

“No, but I didn’t need to. When I was patrolling the river, a group of Dryads informed me that Anjani’s spies have been lurking along our borders. They are requesting a meeting with you to discuss this issue once we’ve returned to Silver Meadows.”

“Anjani wouldn’t dare step foot into my realm without permission,” Daxton replied in a deep, calm tone that would terrify anyone within earshot.

“It seems our absence has weakened our defenses.”

Daxton narrowed his eyes and released a displeased grunting sound from his chest. “I’ll have to speak to Gunnar and Zola about this.”

“This does mean, however, that outside the wards or the Summit, we are never safe from the queen’s wandering eyes.” Castor said with his eyes darting between us, and Daxton’s face fell grim. “If you recall, Skylar, Anjani is Seamus’s kin. She can create illusions and conceal her troop of spies from detection.”

“She’s the one who masked your ships when you entered Solace pack lands?” I asked.

“Correct.” Dax nodded.

“Would she dare enter Silver Meadows without your approval?” I asked.

“She can fucking try,” Daxton cursed. “I’ll inform Gunnar and send Zola to investigate this when we arrive. Then, I’ll seek out the Dryads along the city boundaries. Any deception lurking in my kingdom will not be tolerated. I will not stand for spies within my home.”

“Zola will have a field day hunting Anjani down,” Castor snickered. “Can I be the one to tell her of this mission?”

“If you wish,” Dax said before finding my worried gaze. “If her spies are following us, Spitfire…”

“Then we must continue our ruse.” I didn’t hide my displeasure, glancing Castor’s way.

“You’re not the only one,” Castor argued. “While I’m beginning to find your company tolerable Skylar, I detest the death looks my brother gives me after I have to touch you.”

I tilted my head and raised my brows toward Daxton, but he didn’t bother acknowledging me. He was all business right now. “Inside the palace, we have wards barring entry. But in the training ring and in the city, I’mafraid we will have to be cautious about how we are toward one another.”

“I hate this, Dax.” I looped my arms around his neck and pulled myself up to kiss him. He greedily returned my affection, lifting me off my feet. “I don’t want to hide.”

---