Page 96 of A Trial of the Heart

“One full day has passed since yourincident,” Zola answered. Her dark eyes narrowed on the word incident, and I got a strange feeling that something else was beginning to brew.

I nodded. “Then we have only four more weeks until I enter the second trial. How’s the research coming?”

Adohan stood at the foot of my bed, his long red and brown braided hair falling over his shoulder as he leaned forward. He flashed me a confident, beaming smile that contrasted against his dark skin. “Impressive that you’ve only just awakened from a fall to your death, and your focus has not faltered.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“It can be, but I realize, coming from me, it usually isn’t intended as such. I don’t hand out praise aseasily as most.” He gave me a wink, his hazel eyes shining with humorous glee as he walked to his mate’s side and kissed her braided hair. “You, my love, are still the most impressive being in this world.”

I heard—actuallyheard—Gunnar roll his eyes this time. “So, I have to ask… Why did you jump off the top of the mountain, Skylar?”

Daxton had moved to hand me a glass of water, which I managed to finish just as Gunnar asked me his question. “I didn’tjumpoff the mountain,” I said, handing Daxton the empty glass for a refill.

“Yes … Yes, you did.” Gunnar’s brows furrowed together. “I turned at the last second and watched you jump onto nothing.”

“There was a ledge beneath me,” I countered, leaning forward and sitting upright, determined to make my point.

“What do you mean?” Daxton asked, handing me another full glass of water.

“I heard something below us along the rocks,” I answered, taking a sip. “My animal heightened my senses, and I could tell by Gunnar’s position he hadn’t heard anything, so I went to investigate. I intended to jump onto the lower ledge, but when I did it…” I stopped, not wanting to sound crazy, but there was no other way to really say it. “It just disappeared.”

“Disappeared,” Zola repeated slowly, glancing at Daxton with hatred burning in her dark, ominous eyes. “My high prince… I…”

“Anjani.” Daxton clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth, gripping the back of the chair near the window so tight the leather snapped under his fingers as ice flowed along the legs and onto the floor.

“The female has a death wish.” Daxton abruptly turned and faced Zola. “I sentyouto track and find her.” His tone was low and deathly firm.

Adohan placed himself between Daxton and Idris while Gunnar immediately stood at attention on my other side.

“I tracked her outside the border lines leading to Aelius. She crossed along the river three days ago.”

“And obviously, she has retraced her route and returned.” This time, his voice carried the rage hidden beneath the facade of the Silver Shadow now standing in the room. “It’s disappointing that Anjani has outwitted my spymaster.”

Zola clenched her hands into fists as her head tilted downward in shame. Shadowed hints of rage and guilt curled around her narrowed eyes and pinched brow. “It will not happen again.”

“No, it will not,” Daxton answered, stepping forward and staring her down with ice in his storm-gray eyes. “Because I am going with you. Prepare yourself…Weare going hunting.”

Within minutes, Daxton and Zola gathered various weapons and donned black and silver armor, looking like they were heading onto the front lines of a battlefield. I sat on the bed silently, watching the wrath in Daxton’s expression consume his every thought and movement. The Silver Shadow was amongst us now, and I knew Anjani had no hope of outrunning him.

“Leave us for a moment,” Daxton commanded.

Zola held a cold, expressionless stare, readying herself for what lay ahead. She silently gave me a curt nod before departing in her shadows and jumping out of the room.

“We’ll see you in the library tonight, Skylar.” Idris hugged me once more before Adohan scooped herup in his arms. “Adohan and I have a list of theories, and we want to run them by you if you’re up for it.”

“We’ll have enough to keep you busy while you finish healing,” Adohan added.

“I’ll be strong enough to make it down there tonight,” I said. “I can already feel my wounds mending—healing perks of being a shifter. If I had full access to my animal, I would already be out of this bed.”

Adohan paused on his way to the hallway. “Anjani will have her spies with her. She never travels alone, Daxton. You won’t have a simple fight on your hands. Shall I come with you?”

“I’m aware of Anjani’s strengths, Adohan, but I would never ask you to come with your mate and child in this condition. Zola and I are more than capable of handling Anjani. Her powers are no match for mine while we are inmykingdom.”

“Glad to see your ego is still in check, my friend.” Adohan gave Daxton a long, hard stare, eventually nodding his head, accepting Dax’s decision, and taking his leave with Idris secured in his arms.

“Gunnar,” Daxton called.

“Yes, High Prince.”

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