Page 85 of A Trial of the Heart

“You mean the high ego… and the air of arrogance?” I asked, lifting my brow at Dax. “Sounds oddly familiar. I wonder where he gets it from?”

Gunnar burst out laughing. “Oh, you are my new favorite person, little shifter.”

I recalled that Gunnar was orphaned as a child, rising in the military ranks, and holding the title of the youngest to enter the Ice Gauntlet and succeed. Earning Castor and Daxton’s trust through his service and battle, he became third in command of Silver Meadows. He was also general of Daxton’s armies, and he had stepped in to oversee their realm for the past months while they were away.

“I don’t recall ever being nicknamedlittleafter my growth spurt at thirteen and becoming one of the tallest females in my pack,” I countered.

“Well, standing next to Daxton, everyone islittle,” Gunnar said, stepping forward to give me a once-over. “I guess little is an understatement. You’re just about as tall as me—I’ll give you that. Odd though … I thought shifters were smaller.”

“And exactly how many shifters have you met before?”

“Quick on the wit. Beauty and brains,” Gunnar purred with a wink. “I bet you keep Daxton here on his toes… as well as on his—”

“That’s more than enough,” Daxton growled. “Skylar, this is Gunnar. My general, and believe it or not, a trusted friend. His smart remarks might have cost him that pretty head of his years ago if he had not rightfully earned his station.”

“Another compliment!” Gunnar beamed, widening his grin. “Pigs are soaring above our heads… I knew today would be a good one.” Daxton didn’t seem amused, but he also didn’t lash out. “All right, in all seriousness now…”

“Can you manage that?” Daxton rebutted in a low tone with his eyebrows arched. His grimace held a twinge of amusement, but I wondered if many others could detect it.

“Believe it or not, I can,” Gunnar answered without missing a step. “That’s why you keep me around. I remind the warriors to loosen up when we can.”

“And surprise them when your skills as my top-seated warrior are put to action. Yes, I’m aware. I taught you how to balance it all.”

“But I perfected it.” Gunnar grinned as Daxton shook his head, hiding a glimmer of pride in his expression.

Daxton turned to me, placing a hand discreetly on the small of my back. Any onlookers would easily write off the soft touch, but it sent goosebumps racing across my skin like lightning. “Don’t let Gunnar’s entertaining personality fool you. He’s one of the most skilled warriors in the Inner Kingdom and experiencedinstructors. He’ll assess and begin your training while I attend to our recruits and other meetings with the Dryads outside the city today. I’ll see you after your assessment is done.”

“You won’t be training me yourself?” I asked in disappointment.

“I want Gunnar to assess your skills and offer additional insight into where we focus your training against the creature in the next trial. Once this is done, then yes, of course, I will assist in your training exercises.”

“All right. Until tonight, then. Will I see you later in the library?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Daxton gave me a soft smile as he stepped back to teleport away. His absence left me in limbo momentarily before shaking my head and pivoting back toward Gunnar.

“All right, little shifter. Let’s see what you can do and where your training needs to start,” Gunnar said, guiding me toward an array of weapons.

His black training clothes were loose-fitting around his broad chest, highlighting a warmer skin tone that paired nicely with his dark brown, silver-streaked hair.“What experience do you have in killing a creature of death, in combat?”

“Quick to the point. How refreshing,” I answered. “I was an archer and scout in my pack, but I learned self-defense early in my youth. My uncle thought it was essential that we learn how to defend ourselves and fight in our human forms and animals … once we shifted.”

“Smart, I like the male already. What weapons are you comfortable with?”

“I prefer a bow and arrow, along with shorter swords and daggers. I’m not as comfortable wielding weapons like Daxton’s sword.”

“Valencia is a beast in its own right.”

“Valencia?”

“The sword of Silver Meadows. Valencia is an enchanted weapon that only Daxton or those of his house can call to wield. It never dulls, is sharp as fuck, and is an extremely lethal weapon with its own power for whoever wields it,” Gunnar said. “Seamus has eyed it for years, but the mind-fucker will never be able to wield it.”

“Why would Seamus think he could use it if it is enchanted for only Daxton’s house?”

“Their mother was—”

“Of Aelius,” I finished for him. “Dax told me about his parents.”

Gunnar gave me an impressed nod before continuing, “She was a descendant of Seamus’s family line. Not direct, more like a third cousin. So naturally, Seamus thought it could extend to him. But that’s not how the sword works; it requires a direct descendant or connection.” Gunnar casually stretched out his arms, rolling his thick shoulders as we walked. “For all his shortfalls, however, the High Prince of Aelius would be one fucking hell of a fight if I had to face him; I’ll give him that.”

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