Page 86 of Spirit Trials
He gives me a wry smile. “Well, aside from the fact that I’ve come to grow somewhat fond of you…” I laugh and shake my head, withdrawing my hand. His smile fades. “You’re also my soulmate. You’re the other half of my soul, the one I’m meant to be with.”
I stare at him. “Meant to be with,” I repeat, my voice is lacking any warmth.
“Don’t do that,” he says in a low voice.
“Do what?”
“Pull away. I don’t always say things the right way.” I lift a brow. “Okay, I rarely say things the right way. Maybe I’m not saying it the right way. You’re the only one Iwantto be with, soulmate aside.”
I can’t help my slow smile as I shake my head. “I’m not sure you can handle all this,” I say pointing down at myself. “The red hair makes me next level.”
“Oh, I know. You’re the only one that’s ever pointed a weapon at me and lived to tell the tale. Twice.”
I shrug. “There might be a third time if you deserve it.”
He surprises me by grinning. “And that, is why you are perfect for me.” He grabs my wrist and pulls me towards him. I let him, curious to see what he’s going to do. He turns his head sharply, and I notice that Shade is on his feet.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Somebody’s here,” he says. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He strides out of the room with Shade at his side. I follow a few steps behind him. Just before he opens the door, he pauses and looks back at me. He pins me with a dark look. “Stay behind me.” I roll my eyes but drop my hand to the knife sheathed in my pants. He opens the door, and I relax when I see who it is. “Mother?” Clearly, Rysden is surprised by the visit.
“Are you going to invite your mother in, or leave me out here in the cold?” Her words are soft but strong. Rysden immediately steps back, allowing her entrance. He steps outside and scans the area before stepping back inside. “Hello again, Lady Mercy,” she says as she walks past me, striding confidently towards the dining area.
“Hello again.”
Rysden looks at me, but I just shrug and follow his mom. She walks over to the kitchen area, just like last time. Knowing exactly what she’s going to do, I stop her. “I’ll make you some tea,” I offer. I have nothing better to do. Staring at her doesn’t seem to be the best option.
“Thank you,” she says softly and walks over to the table. She takes a seat at the table, and I expect her to start talking but she stays silent. I set the tea kettle on the wood stove to start heatingup but keep an eye on her. Rysden stands behind the chair across from where she’s seated. I’m thankful for the job of making tea because it gives me something to do. I’m not sure how long the silence is going to last, but if Rysden got his stubbornness from his mother, it’s going to be a while. I absently wonder who will cave first. When the tea is done, I carry the steaming mug to the table and place it in front of Rysden’s mother. “Thank you, Lady Mercy,” she says, meeting my eyes a moment.
“Her name’s Farrah.” Apparently, Rysden’s the first to cave.
She takes a sip of her tea. “I know.” Her words are soft, and yet there’s a powerful edge to them. She takes another sip, and I wonder if I should stay or leave. “I want to talk to you, both of you.”
I guess I’m staying.I walk over to the other side of the table, ready to pull out a seat. Rysden surprises me by doing it for me. “Thanks,” I say quietly. He pulls out the seat next to me and sits without a word.
“Congratulations on your wolf,” Rysden’s mother says.
“Oh. Thank you.” I gaze over at Solace, who’s snuggled up against Shade.
“Son, could you go outside and grab my bottle of herbs? I left it in my saddlebag?”
Rysden stands to his feet and glances between the two of us. “I’ll be right back.”
As soon as the front door closes, she faces me, intensity in every line of her body. “I only have a minute or two. Listen very carefully to me, Lady Mercy.” I don’t dare interrupt her. “There will come a time...I don’t know when...but an opportunity will present itself to take the king’s life. Do not falter; it will be the only chance you get.”
“I can’t do that. It will kill you.”
“You will,” her voice is filled with authority. “When the time comes, it will be easy.” Her face softens.
“But—”
She reaches out and puts her hand on mine. “My son will never be able to do it.” We both hear the front door open, and I know our time is done. “Aim true.” Then she takes a drink of her tea calmly, as if she didn’t just turn my world upside down. Rysden sits down at the table. If he notices the tension, he doesn’t say anything about it.
“I came to talk to you two about the danger you’re both in.”
Chapter 44
Alarm spears through me, and I hear a menacing growl from the floor that I assume came from Shade or maybe Solace. Rysden stiffens next to me. “What are you talking about?” My head is still spinning from everything she just told me, but I try to focus on what she’s talking about now.
