Page 81 of Spirit Trials
“You told me you wouldn’t send your wolf.”
His expression doesn’t change. “I didn’t.”
I level a look at him. “That also meant you weren’t supposed to allow Shade to come.” Before he can say anything, I add, “But I’m grateful you did. I wouldn’t have made it back if not for him.”
Rysden’s gaze is on my face, unblinking. “Farrah, I didn’t send him. Shade never left my side.”
“Yes, he did. He was there. He helped me survive,” I argue.
Rysden shakes his head slowly. “No, he didn’t. He never sensed you were in danger.” He looks down at Shade and then back at me. His expression is one I can’t read, and I’m getting pretty good at reading his expressions. “What happened out there?” His eyebrows are bunched together.
“Shade came to me when I needed him most and got me to land.” I frown, remembering. “His eyes were more purple though,” I say somewhat absently.
Rysden shakes his head. “Shade didn't come to you.”
“He did,” I argue. “He got me back here.”
Rysden studies my face. “Farrah,” he says almost gently. “You were by yourself when Shade and I got to you. I put you on my horse and brought you here.”
I stare at Shade, frustrated. “It was him,” but my words trail off.Was I imagining the whole thing?
Shade sits at the door, and Rysden opens it for him. He looks back at me. “He wants me to follow him.”
“Wait, I’m coming with,” I say, throwing back the furs covering me. I take one step and nearly face-plant, but Rysden catches me and steadies me.
“You good?”
“I’m fine.” I throw on my boots and take note of the fact that I feel sluggish. “How long has it been since the trial?”
“Two days,” he says, and my mouth opens in shock.
“I slept for two days?”
He makes a sound in his chest but doesn’t say anything as we walk out into the hallway. Shade waits at the base of the stairs for us. It takes me a minute to walk down the stairs; I’m feeling shaky and weak—a feeling I’ve decided I don’t like. “Wait here,” Rysden says when we get to the ground floor. He walks away, leaving me with Shade. I ease down onto the first step, feeling completely depleted. “Here. This will give you some energy.” Rysden hands me a chunk of bread and some cheese. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I start eating.
Rysden eyes me in concern, but I wave him off. “I’m just hungry. I can eat this as we go. Let’s follow Shade.” Shade has been pacing near the front door. Whatever it is, he’s riled up. I shove another bite of bread and cheese in my mouth and walk over to the front door. “Let’s go, Shade.” I open the door, and he bounds out. I glance up at Rysden, but his face is blank. Shade disappears down the path towards the stables, and we follow him. I can tell Rysden is just about as anxious as Shade, but he stays at my side. I want to ask a bunch of questions, but I have a feeling Rysden won’t answer them anyway. So, I keep my mouth shut and walk over to the stables. But Shade doesn’t go into the stable; he darts around the back. I look up curiously at Rysden, but his expression remains carefully blank. I walk around the back of the stable and freeze. There’s another wolf, and Shadeis licking the wolf and pressing his body against it. I look up at Rysden, but his mouth is open in shock. Then the new wolf turns its head to me, and I gasp when I see purple eyes. “It was you.” I drop to my knees, and the beautiful wolf walks over to me. I don’t hesitate before wrapping my arms around its neck. “Thank you,” I whisper into its fur.
You don’t need to thank me,a decisively female voice says. It’s my job to keep you safe. I realize a moment later that it’s in my head. I pull back and stare at the she-wolf. I look up at Rysden, but he’s still in shock or something. Shade walks over to the she-wolf and nuzzles her.Mate,she says. I stare at the two of them together and wonder how I ever mistook her for Shade. She has the same coloring, but her eyes are obviously different; and her body is smaller than Shade’s.
I am just as fierce.
I smile at her words in my head. “Yes, you are,” I murmur and run my hands through her fur. I shiver in the cold and turn to Rysden. “It’s cold out here. Can they come inside?”
“If they want to.” His voice is low and devoid of any emotion.
I turn back to the wolves, but before I can say anything, Shade bounds past me and my she-wolf follows. I laugh and follow behind them, leaving the quiet prince behind. When I get to the front door, I open it and the two wolves step inside. They walk towards the food area, and I figure they’re both probably hungry. I worry for my wolf; she hasn’t eaten in three days.
Shade and I hunted together.
I nearly startle at the voice in my head again and smile to myself. It will take a little time to get used to that. “How do I do that?” I ask. The she wolf stops and turns back to me. “I mean you obviously understand my thoughts. How do I connect to you? Talk to you that way?”
You already are.The wolf continues forward next to Shade. I don’t even know what her name is.Solace,she supplies.
I stop walking.That's beautiful.
Thank you.
I smile because I just communicated with my wolf. I resist the urge to squeal.I have a wolf.A corporal wolf! I follow the two wolves into the dining area. They both walk over to the fire. Lox stands up from the table slowly, his gaze following the wolves. “Is that...” his voice trails off.
