A Trial of the Heart (Valdor #2)

Chapter Seven

“T here it is,” Idris called out at the head of our traveling party.

The pegasi relentlessly carried the five of us across the Inner Kingdom without ever tiring along the journey. The pegasi were well trained and had the stamina of what seemed to be ten horses compiled into one body. I could feel Nisha surge forward, recognizing the change in landscape as we approached our intended destination. Aelius.

The palace of Aelius stood on an isolated spit of land surrounded by water from Sterlyn Lake on all three sides. As we descended through the clouds, an unsettling feeling began trickling across my skin. Similar to the warning I felt in the alley with Seamus, causing my senses to be on high alert.

Elevated towers on each corner of the palace were connected by a protective wall laced with spikes pointing skyward that stood well over thirty feet tall. The center of the massive structure overlooked the surrounding walls, with every rooftop decorated by ornate white paint against gray cobblestone and a black swirling outline. This place was an absolute fortress, complete with heavy metal gates guarding the only entrance or exit. A wide stone bridge walkway connected the royal residence to the sprawling city that surrounded the shoreline and continued into the rolling hills to the east.

Aelius was larger compared to Crimson City, with High Fae residing in homes that were stacked on top of each other near the center. From my mount in the sky, I could see shops on the bottom, with people living on the second, third, and even sometimes a fourth level of the structure above. While sandstone and other white or natural tan clay rock built Crimson City, Aelius appeared cleaner, almost crisp. Many of the structures were made of stone or wood decorated and painted white to match. It gave the appearance of perfection, or at least trying as best they could to do so. In the distance, a long winding road connected Aelius to the sea, where a harbor was posted with the sails of dozens of ships visible from the air.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but this kingdom gave me a rainy-day vibe. There was an underlying feeling of melancholy that seemed to be intertwined with the realm itself. Aelius reminded me of cold spring days in Solace, when I would snuggle into my loveseat with a good book because venturing outside into the downpour would be miserable. Even today, as we arrived, Aelius was shrouded in clouds, with rays of sunshine barely able to peek through the overhang.

We dove through the sky, first reaching the rolling pasture fields before circling back over Aelius. Even this late in the day, the city was awake, with countless citizens still gathering in the streets, decorating their homes with white banners that held three eight-pointed stars painted on the design in the middle.

I looked down at my champion mark and realized this was the same pattern. At first, only a few doors swung open with curious eyes peering up at us. I could hear shouts echo through the streets below as we soared over the towering buildings. Then windows burst open, and more people began gathering in the streets. Our presence igniting Aelius. High Fae citizens gathered in clusters at the shoreline and near the bridge to the palace, watching our descent onto the cobblestone path. Idris landed first, followed by the rest of us, as our pegasi finally tucked in their wings on landing.

“Thank you,” I whispered as I stroked Nisha’s neck. “You were amazing.” She neighed in return and swished her head. I smiled, interpreting this as her saying you’re welcome.

I glanced around the gathering crowds, stunned that there were almost too many for me to count.I held my breath as I peered in their direction, meeting the people of Aelius for the first time.

There was an array of hair colors paired with fair skin features amongst the crowd. Shades ranging from black to dark blond, with an impressive number of hazel and green eyes speckled among them. And surprise, surprise, they were all either handsome or beautiful, with an air of grace that seemed to flow with their movements. I swear, if I ever saw an ugly High Fae, that would be something to take note of.

Castor guided his mount next to mine and gracefully swung his leg over the front of his saddle. He came to my side and extended his hand to me. “Let’s put your training to the test. Shall we?”

I gave him a confused glare before remembering the ruse we were supposed to be playing. I held my breath and stole one final look toward Daxton. He gave me a final reassuring nod before his mask reappeared, and Dax transformed into Silver Shadow. His expression lacked any softness as his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed with an air of ice that would chill you to your bones.

Despite his facade, I could see the muscles in Daxton’s shoulders tense as he cracked the knuckles in his right hand. He was anxious.

Silver Shadow took a deep breath in preparation for what was to come, and my heart ached to see him like this. His gaze was hard, like stone standing against a raging storm on the open seas. There was no trace of the magnanimous, carefree smile I loved. Standing before us now was the fearsome, hardened warrior of legend who led the High Fae armies into the war of Valdor five hundred years ago. The most powerful high prince ever born to the Inner Kingdom, Silver Shadow.

And … Gods help me; he was captivating.

Others might turn away or cower from this vicious, ruthless side of him, but not me. I wasn’t afraid. After witnessing him in spurts of battle, I noticed how he was always able to control his rage. Never teetering over the edge and into madness. This highlighted his ability to control his emotions and not abuse his power over others, which was something of note, in my opinion.

My people always respected power. It was our way of life, and Daxton’s sang to me like a siren’s call to a sailor at sea.

“Let the games begin,” I said to Castor as I donned my mask of deception. I accepted Castor’s hand and adoringly stood by his side.

Idris whistled to our mounts, and the pegasi flew off into the hills. “They’ll return with the same tune. If you need your pegasus, they will come on that call.”

“Good to know,” I said.

I saw a grimace of concern flash across Idris’s face as Adohan, her mate, stepped to her side. He looped his arm in hers and affectionately grasped her hands, kissing her before guiding her to stand at Daxton’s left. I recalled Adohan’s promise to Seamus to offer the queen his power, which made my stomach churn. They couldn’t deny her this offering, and every ounce of my being hated Minaeve for what she was forcing them to do.

“Focus, Skylar,” Castor whispered in a warning as he looped his other arm around my waist. “I won’t bite … unless you ask, of course.”

I rolled my eyes as he smiled and winked at me playfully, trying to play his role.

“Does that usually work in your favor?” I asked, moving to stand closer to him, adding to the appearance of the closeness. Our proximity made my skin crawl, but I swallowed my unease and plastered on a brave face. I knew what Daxton was being forced to do, so I could at least manage this.

“Typically, I don’t have to work this hard to charm a female,” Castor said, his gaze never wavering from mine.

“What exactly do you do then?” I asked. “A simple bat of your chocolate eyes at someone from across the room… and they’re helpless? Falling head over heels into your lap and then your bed?”

“Well, not always my bed. Other areas suffice when one is not readily available.” Castor grinned, flashing his elongated canines. “Then, I bite.”

“Gods help us all, Cas.” I flattened a palm to my forehead, trying to conceal my slight embarrassment at his unfiltered descriptions of his sexual conquests.

“You’ll see, eventually,” he said. “Most certainly not with you,” I whispered. “I do value my head attached to my body, Skylar. I’m not an idiot. Even imagining you as a possibility would not end well for me.”

I raised my brow with a smirk, biting my lips to conceal my amusement. He was referring to Daxton, and it made my heart flutter with excitement. There was no official claim Dax or I had to one another, but knowing that Castor would never follow through with his vividly animated suggestions made me grin with satisfaction.

“Let’s move,” Daxton ordered in a cold, flat command. It caught me off guard at first, but I had to remember that this was not the same person I had come to know. Silver Shadow was here with us… a hard, cunning, calculating warrior who would cut you down faster than you could blink. A deadly weapon of the High Fae queen that would eradicate his enemies without a moment’s hesitation.

My heart raced as I watched Daxton march forward with his strong shoulders squared and his head held high. His hair was neatly pulled back, highlighting his square jawline and ebony-trimmed beard that framed his formidable, rugged features. He was the definition of a warrior prince. There was no doubting his role or place in this world in anyone’s mind when they laid their eyes on him. And somehow, I had become someone he was very fond of. Memories of the other night flashed through me, causing me to sigh and my knees to weaken. Gods above help me. This male would be my undoing.

“Remember that I’m the one you’re supposed to be fawning over, Skylar, love,” Castor whispered so only I could hear him. I blinked and refocused on Castor, crimson flushing my cheeks. “Focus on small aspects of the truth when you’re speaking to others within the Aelius court. Use that wild imagination of yours and play the part of my companion. It’s not just you that could feel the wrath of the queen’s jealousy if she knew about your other activities … especially last night’s.”

I nodded. “Sorry, it won’t happen again. I understand what’s at stake.”

“Good. I doubt you see the entire tapestry we’re weaving, but I believe you know enough to get the picture.”

I gritted my teeth and bit my lip as I shook off Castor’s remark. I had to focus and buy into this ruse if we would survive an audience with the queen. It wasn’t a guarantee she would harm me, but then again, I wasn’t willing to test it if Daxton was cautious. Besides, whatever this was between us, I needed to push it aside for now. I needed to focus on my mission and why I was here.

The trials.

This was the seed of truth I needed to cling to while visiting the Court of Aelius and in the presence of Minaeve.

As the gates opened, Castor’s eyes darted to the figure on the other side. “Shields up, love.” He gently kissed my cheek before interlocking my hand with his and guiding us forward across the bridge.

Seamus.

I allowed myself a quick glance ahead at Daxton. Pure hatred flowed from his stare as Seamus simply stood at the entrance with a wide grin of satisfaction. I knew Seamus would be here, but it was still jarring to see him again. I was able to construct a basic shield to mask the scent of fear I knew I was emitting, but I didn’t think it was enough to stop his magic from invading my mind if he touched me.

“So far so good,” Castor said to me. “Now keep going. ”

As we walked together, each step seemed like a hundred. “Easier said than done,” I whispered.

As we crossed through the gate, I realized that it was constructed entirely out of iron. My magic seemed to buzz inside my head as we entered the palace, and it made me wonder what else was lurking below this fortress.

“I’m pleased you’ve arrived safely,” High Prince Seamus greeted us with a melodramatic bow, casting his arms out wide in a ridiculous sweeping motion.

As we entered the palace, I was taken aback by the ornate, elaborate decor surrounding us. Dramatic fae lighting and vibrant colors created illusory effects within the architectural features of the palace to make it seem like we were in another world entirely. Above our heads were ceiling frescoes depicting different floral designs that were all connected by entangling black vines. The vines themselves twisted into spiraling patterns with thorns protruding outward along the curves that gave the plant a deadly front. The feeling of unease spread through my limbs as I continued to stare upward at the paintings. My animal surged to the surface, comforting me as best she could, letting me know I was not alone.

“Please, follow me.” Seamus’s eyes snapped toward me with a far too interested glimmer, causing me to grip Castor’s hand tighter.

“Easy,” Castor warned me in a hushed murmur. “Follow my lead.” He drew the attention of anyone in earshot of us and loudly announced, “Don’t worry. We shall retire to our room together soon enough. I am more than willing to assist you in changing out of … and into your new attire for the ball.”

Our room? Oh, right. I was supposed to be helplessly swooning over him. I quickly recovered and looked up at Castor with a fake girlish smile I had seen far too many females in my pack don over the years.

“How thoughtful of you, Cas. You’re undeniably handy when it comes to unfastening all the buttons on these bindings.” I reached up and tugged on his collar, releasing one of the hooks on his shirt to expose the skin at the base of his neck and tracing my fingers against his collarbone. “Just as long as I’m able to assist you as well.”

It felt wrong to touch him like this, and I could see Castor sense my hesitation. He grabbed my hand from his neck and turned it around to kiss the back of it gently.

“Leave some things a mystery,” he added, trying to help ease my discomfort. I didn’t dare allow myself to glance in Daxton’s direction.

Seamus scoffed at our interaction as his eyes darted to Daxton. “Your brother, it seems, has attracted the attention of yet another? However, I didn’t know he favored the stench of dirt and grime. Pray tell, what is that other smell coming from her besides Castor’s?”

“Burning cedar and the winds of the sky, obviously. It’s typical of shifters to have an earthy scent mixed with the air of their homeland, or did you forget? Wait… no, my mistake.” Dax laughed darkly. “You haven’t ventured to the mainland since the veil. The queen’s most loyal subject mustn’t risk his well-being for the sake of others,” Dax bit out coldly, looking away from where Castor and I stood together.

“Is there a chill of jealousy in the air?” Seamus stepped toward Daxton and narrowed his eyes with a speculating stare. “From your outburst in the alleyway the other day, I was almost convinced that it was you she would be on the arm of tonight. ”

“I’m at our queen’s service, Seamus.” Daxton turned his stone-cold glare toward the Aelius high prince. “You know she commanded me to protect the shifter as my ward and ensure her safe arrival. You bringing forth a tortuous memory that pushed her to the brink of insanity seemed to be doing the opposite. So, I defended my ward, and Castor comforted her in a time of need.”

“How lucky for the second-born prince of Silver Meadows.” Seamus scowled at us with his dark, skeptical eyes.

“Very lucky,” Castor said as he pulled me in closer.

I played along, wrapping my arm around his middle and placing my hand over his chest. The act made my insides cringe because, well, this was Castor . But it also pained my heart knowing Daxton was standing there watching.

Seamus huffed a laugh. “This follows the trend of shifters and humans alike. They easily fawn over our beauty and forget the teeth that lay behind the cunning smile.”

“I believe that is jealousy, Seamus,” Castor taunted. “Is the queen tiring of you so quickly nowadays that you’re seeking out warmth from another’s bed? From what Dax and Skylar told me… you were moments away from trying to take her maidenhead before I was able to claim it for myself.”

My cheeks flushed as I tilted my chin downward in utter embarrassment. I shifted my feet so I could move closer to Castor while conveniently digging the heel of my boot into his toes. I watched his jaw tighten as his gaze bent to meet mine.

Reaching up, I pulled on the base of his neck so his ear was close to my lips and whispered, “ Congratulations … you found the line. Don’t cross it again.” I kissed his jaw and caught a glimmer of understanding shine in his eyes. I was fine with playing this ruse, but boasting about taking my virginity was not something I was comfortable with at the moment.

“Careful with how you address me, Castor. I’m a high prince and the queen’s favorite. You’ll show me respect.” Seamus pumped a wave of power through the room as he glared at Castor with a deep-seated hatred burning in the darkened depths of his stare.

“Can you please… lead us inside, High Prince Seamus,” Idris chimed in, purposely stepping between the males and rubbing her rounded belly. “Some of us need to rest after such travel. I can feel the babe kicking, and I would greatly appreciate the time to recover before tonight.”

Seamus stepped back, and his menace seemed to melt away with the presence of Idris. He acknowledged her with a genuine look of awe and dipped his head to her, which surprised the hell out of me.

“Yes, of course,” Seamus said as he turned on his heels. He led us through a long hallway that opened into a beautiful foyer surrounded by a large grand staircase that divided the two different wings of the palace.

“What was with that sudden change of mood from Seamus?” I whispered to Castor.

“I forget how much you don’t know sometimes, Skylar.” He shook his head and sighed deeply. “High Fae children are, at times, difficult to acquire. It can take couples half a century to conceive, and everyone cherishes them. But a High Fae child born of a mated pair holds a special tier all on its own. They’re precious—highly treasured. The child is typically born with special gifts or powers. ”

“I see,” I said as we stopped at the base of the stairs. “Like you, Daxton, and the twins?” Castor nodded his head as we came to a stop.

Idris and Adohan’s twin sons were able to manipulate fire as they could, and I could only assume there were other strengths or abilities they had as well.

Seamus paused on the steps, turned to us once more, and lazily leaned against the golden railing of the grand staircase behind him. He reached up and ran a hand through his tousled blond hair, clearly a fan of the messy, rolling-out-of-bed kind of style. He was cocky, arrogant, and he had an air of unpredictability that kept me on high alert when I was in his presence.

“Your rooms are located on the eastern side of the palace, as I’m sure you remember,” he said to Castor and me. “Daxton and Adohan, you are summoned to Queen Minaeve’s chambers in preparation for tonight’s festivities.”

This time, Castor gripped my hand, and I could see his jaw tighten with concern.

“Queen Minaeve,” Daxton said, but Seamus silenced him with an upturned hand.

“She commands the presence of all the high princes of the Inner Kingdom. We will accompany her this evening like always. She insists we present a united front before those in attendance here at court tonight, in preparation for the first trial tomorrow.”

No . I forced a blank expression, but on the inside, I was screaming. No, no, not Dax. Not Adohan. What was the queen intending to do with them? I shuddered, imagining the sick, twisted games she could play with the help of Seamus’s magic.

Glancing toward Adohan, I saw he couldn’t hide his dismay, nor could Idris. There was nothing they could do. He could not refuse their queen .

“I’ll see you tonight, my mate.” Adohan took Idris’s hands and kissed them both before taking her lips with his own. The embrace was soft and tender with love and compassion beaming like a ray of light around them. Adohan then knelt and affectionately rubbed Idris’s belly, kissing it softly before rising to find her lips once more. “I can’t wait to see how beautiful you look in the gown you made for the occasion.”

“You won’t be able to keep your eyes off me,” Idris quickly said. I could see the longing look of concern lingering behind Idris’s brave illusion of confidence.

Adohan reluctantly released Idris’s hands and ascended the staircase behind Seamus, followed by Daxton. I clutched onto Castor as tightly as I could. My legs shook as I watched our companions reluctantly march toward Queen Minaeve’s chambers in the western wing. Each step they took forced them to retreat further into themselves and don the mask they needed to survive. They had to play the part of devoted subjects or else risk raising suspicion.

Seamus stopped at the top of the steps, leaning over the railing as he watched Daxton pass him. “She’s especially anxious to see you … Silver Shadow.” He had the audacity to chuckle and roll his head to the side, turning to glare at the three of us who remained on the main floor. “Pick whichever rooms suit your needs, Castor. The lower-level bedrooms on the other wing are all available.”

Castor nodded, refusing to give any hint or sign of his displeasure that I knew was raging like a sandstorm beneath his calm, dark brown stare. His composure, like Daxton’s, was utterly astonishing. My animal, on the other hand, was the opposite of calm. She was raging inside my chest, sending waves of aggression and fury that were pulsing inside of me, making it extremely difficult to remain composed.

Daxton didn’t even bother reacting to Seamus’s comment. He kept his stoic expression plastered on his face. He simply continued on his way to the western wing of the palace, silently marching toward what I knew he dreaded and despised most in this world.

“They both will be all right,” Castor said aloud to Idris and me.

I looked to Idris, who fought to hold back the tears coating her eyes. She encircled her growing belly and fought to steady her shaking limbs. I released Castor and rushed to her side, looping an arm over her shoulder to try to comfort her.

“Idris—”

“Don’t,” she snapped.

I didn’t take offense to her reaction. She was forced to watch her mate heed the call of a female who, in the past, had forced him to sleep with her and siphoned his magic from him. Queen or not, this was wrong. We didn’t know what her intentions were for Adohan or Dax, but we knew that tonight, she was planning to make a public spectacle of their submission.

“Come on,” Castor encouraged us. “Our rooms are this way.”

The ornate decorations of the palace entrance continued through the halls as Castor guided us to the opposite wing, where we would stay for the evening. Gold, green, and black were the three main colors of note in the decor with a hint of dark turquoise hidden amongst the swirls of gold. Tapestries adorned the halls with Minaeve as the main focus of each centerpiece. Even without her physical presence, she plastered herself across this entire palace, making sure everyone here knew she was the sole power in charge. The pictures without her in them also held a symbolic presence of her power and sole rulership over the Inner Kingdom. Even the vines growing along the windows, I now realized, reminded me of the High Fae queen herself. Deadly, beautiful, and treacherous.

At the end of the hall, Idris somberly opened the door to her room, which was directly across from mine and Castor’s adjacent lodgings. “Idris?”

She turned and glanced toward me in the doorway, her vibrant smile gone as heartbreak overshadowed her joy. “I just need a moment. I will kick Castor out and help you prepare for the ball in an hour. I just need to rest…”

“You don’t have to. I’m sure I can manage,” I protested, not wanting to ask any more from her.

“No, I do,” she said firmly. “I need to keep busy. If I just sit here and do nothing, I’ll go mad.”

I nodded. “See you in an hour.”

The door closed to the hallway, and I swore I heard the faint sound of her cries whisk through the cracks under the door. My heart broke hearing her sorrow, knowing that this was not the first time she had to endure seeing her mate like this. It was wrong. There was no other way to describe it.

“We’re in here,” Castor said as he opened the door to my room. No, excuse me, our room.

I stepped inside and marveled at the vast splendor covering every inch of this place. This room was vastly different, with light blue walls framed in gold accents, decorated with a gold textured ceiling, and vast arrays of different floral arrangements. The large, white-sheeted canopy bed was pushed against the wall on the near side, and vast open windows looked out onto the crystal-blue water of the lake .

My heart longed for my home in Solace. The log cabin house felt connected and open to the nature surrounding it. This palace room was unnatural, like an over-the-top display to try and distract someone from seeing the true horrors beneath.

Castor strode to the opposite side of our quarters to reveal a doorway leading to a smaller adjacent bed chamber. “This is where I’ll sleep,” he said. “I’ll ward the room so no one can hear inside or enter without my knowledge.” Castor kept his gaze turned away from me as he leaned against the wall, sighing heavily as he crossed his arms. “It’ll help the illusion of our boisterous lovemaking smokescreen.”

“Right.” I sighed as I sat on the edge of the pristine white bed.

“We also each have our own washroom. Luckily, these rooms were built to house private servants’ quarters,” Castor said.

“Servants?”

“Yes, that or consorts.”

“You mean … whores?” I asked, uneasy with the thought of anyone having to sell their body for profit or status. A wave of disgust and anger rolled through me that I didn’t fight to suppress.

“More or less,” Castor said. “Even before Minaeve took her mantle, the high princes of the three realms did not share their title or power with their significant other. They take wives—even, at times, multiple consorts—hoping to continue their line of succession with an heir. But they never shared the title.”

“Wait. Not even your parents shared the title in Silver Meadows?” That fact surprised me.

Castor shook his head. “No. Our mother held rank and a position of power from Aelius. Then, once our father married her, she gained status in Silver Meadows, but she didn’t hold the title of high princess .”

“Interesting. Why is that?”

“Power is difficult to share.” Castor’s face was calm, yet his eyes danced with curiosity. “I imagine I would ask my father that very question if he were still alive, but alas, it’s an answer I don’t believe we will ever truly know.”

I nodded, not agreeing but understanding.

That was why Idris was referred to as lady instead of princess. For shifters, the alpha didn’t always have to be a male, but it was rare for a female to possess enough power to take on the role.

In our pack’s history there had been less than a handful of female alphas. One of them was an ancestor, but her reign was short-lived because she died in childbirth. Even so, there was only ever one seat of power, never two.

I had to admit the idea never sat well with me.

In my opinion, if it ever mattered enough to make a difference or influence change, a mated pair should rule together, strengthening each other in ways they couldn’t on their own, either as king and queen on the same throne or sharing roles as alphas. Like the Gods, two were stronger than one.

“I’m worried about him, Cas,” I whispered after minutes of silent contemplation.

I heard Castor’s footsteps stride across the room as he gracefully sat on the bed beside me. “Dax is the bravest and most powerful being I know, Skylar. And because of that … unfortunately, he’s forced to carry what others cannot.”

“I know, Castor, but…”

“He told you, didn’t he?” he asked me plainly .

Behind our closed door, Castor was able to tear away his veil of deception and show me a glimpse of what he tried to hide from the world. The sorrow and guilt for his brother lingered behind the shadows of his somber brown eyes, which weighed heavily upon his heart.

“He did,” I said.

Castor nodded and sagged his shoulders, leaning forward on his forearms. “Trust me, I hate this. I carry the guilt of his bravery and sacrifice like a heavy stone in my shattered heart. Each time he is forced to submit on behalf of all of us, to protect us, it shatters a little more. I just hope he is right about this.”

“What do you mean?”

Castor stared out the window at the seemingly endless, tranquil water of the lake, his mind running a million miles a minute, always thinking ten steps ahead of the rest of us. “Yes. Dax knew from the moment he first saw you in the meadow that you were tied to all of this—tied to us in a way. He has been strategically plotting and planning in the only way he knows how.”

“He knew what? Explain.”

“Dax knew you were special, Skylar. He told me right before you appeared at our rooms in the alpha’s house, ready and willing to help heal his wounds … that, ironically, you caused.” He huffed a small laugh of amusement before continuing. “But regardless of that fact, he was certain there was something unique about you, even before you were marked as the champion. And I must admit,” he said with a half-smile, “I believe he’s right. You may be the one to finally break the cycle of abuse we are all forced to endure from a spiteful, narcissistic ruler. You very well might conquer the trials and free our world. ”

“When … When did he tell you this?” Castor’s confession pulled at the swell of emotions stirring in my chest.

“After he found you in the hunter’s cell underground. We scoured the hideout, searching and killing any of those filthy creatures foolish enough to think Dax or I would grant them mercy after what they did to you.”

I never asked what happened to the hunters or their lair after my capture, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to. “What did Dax tell you exactly? Why did he believe I could do this?”

“Because of what you have already endured and overcome, Skylar.” Castor’s expression turned melancholy. “You might think you failed. But Dax and I saw how much you fought. How you refused to give up.” I blinked rapidly; my attention solely focused on each word the silver tongue High Fae spoke to me. “I saw it,” he confessed, and I knew he was referring to his premonition gifts. “And Dax told me, about how he cradled your lifeless frame in his arms. How broken and bloodied your body was… How close you were to death’s door and the crossing. I saw it all unfold.” Castor went still, taking a steadying breath to try and calm himself. “It’s an image that kept Dax awake at night and still does to this day. When you finally awoke in Solace, you were terrified and hurt, but your answer about the trials was still the same.” Castor stood up from the bed and sauntered over to the open window. “The trials are a test of the mind, body, and soul, but ultimately, they determine if your heart is true and worthy. No shifter has ever completed the first trial, but we believe you can because you already have, Skylar.”

I didn’t know what to say. It touched me to know that Daxton felt this way all along. That he had faith and belief in me even before I did. Before I even accepted the champion mark, he thought I was something special. “Do you know what awaits me inside the labyrinth?”

“Not exactly,” Castor said, still glancing out the window. “The door of the labyrinth will appear only for the champion who wears the mark. Opening when the sun is at its apex in the sky and closing once it sets along the horizon.”

“All right … so, there is a timeline attached to this trial, then?”

“Yes, that is a component of it. We honestly don’t know if the previous shifters have actually finished or simply ran out of time trying to reach the center.”

“Where is this labyrinth? I didn’t see anything from the sky as we flew over.”

“That’s because it is under the palace itself,” Castor said, pointing below his feet.

Dammit. Underground? I squeezed my eyes tightly as I fought the urge to scream.

“Luckily, it’s almost impossible to get lost in a labyrinth,” he added.

“Wait, what? I thought that—”

“Remember, a labyrinth differs from a maze because it has only one pathway leading to the center.”

“Then what’s the challenge? If I don’t have to figure out which way to go, then that sounds simple enough.”

“That’s the twist. You see, this is a test of the mind. Following a winding path is a simple concept to understand. But… to continue on, regardless of the obstacles that lay in your way while you’re alone, in an underground tomb with the Gods only know what lying in wait, can test the mental capacities of even the br ightest minds. The challenge, I believe, is not to turn back.”

I cringed. “Yeah, that makes sense.”

“That and there is a ward preventing any magic from passing through the gates. Once you enter, no one else may follow you. The other trials may differ, but this first test is for you—and you alone.”

“No one knows exactly what’s inside, do they?”

Castor shook his head. “No, but I remember hearing…” His lips pressed into a hard, thin line, almost like he regretted speaking the last words aloud.

“Hearing?” I jumped up and raced to the window. “What did you hear?”

“Do you really want me to tell you, Skylar?” I could feel his unease as he hesitated to answer, nervously threading his hand through his silver hair and flicking it over to one side of his head.

“I have to know.”

“The last shifter to enter was a male, about your age, named Stark. We believe he made it the furthest of all the others, but he sounded absolutely crazed.” Castor closed his eyes, recalling the memory of the last champion. “Toward the end, I remembered hearing him screaming so loudly I swear it shook the walls and the ground beneath my feet. He kept screaming, cursing to the Gods that he had lost something… until we didn’t hear him anymore.” Castor’s face paled. “He was searching for something stolen from him, turning away from the center and doubling back through the labyrinth pathway.”

“He … He turned back?”

“Yes, we believe he almost made it back to the entrance when… ”

“When what?” I had to know if I was going into this tomorrow. I needed to learn everything I could to prepare myself.

“When the crunching sound of bones silenced his screams of death.”

“Something killed him… or ate him?” I couldn’t help but hear the quivering sound in my voice. It might not be the best question to ask. I realized that, but the fear of the unknown was at times worse than knowing.

“Not sure.”

“Great.” I slumped against the windowsill, looking out onto the lake. Castor shifted nervously on his feet, and I realized for the first time since I met him that he was unsure what to do or say next. The sun was beginning to set, turning the sky a brilliant orange color that warmed my heart.

“This is one of his favorite colors,” I said, looking off into the sunset. “It reminds me of Dax.”

“It’s where he got the inspiration,” Castor murmured.

“Inspiration for what?”

Castor widened his eyes for a second as he stumbled back a step, trying to right himself. “Ah, nothing. Forget I said anything.”

I glared at him. “Uh-uh. Why do I get the sense you’re lying to me?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Castor waltzed over to the secret door. “I’ll leave you so you can get ready for tonight. Knock when you and Idris are ready.”

Well, I didn’t get an answer to that question, but I did learn more about what to expect from the labyrinth. I knew it would be a test of the mind, but preparing for it seemed almost pointless. I figured I either had the mental capacity to beat this trial, or I would fail trying. No amount of training I could do in these next few hours would prepare me for this. This trial was built to test our inner strength. The courage we developed from true struggle and rising above to accomplish the impossible.

I was not going to walk into this with fear in my heart. If I did that, I knew I wouldn’t survive.

Unable to sit still and wait, I decided to keep my body busy to try and quiet my mind. I moved about my room and decided to work on the balance movements Daxton taught me on the ship. Slowly, I worked through each exercise, focusing on my core strength to keep me stable as I flowed from one pose to the other. I heard Dax’s voice in my mind, encouraging me to perfect each motion before continuing to the next.

Eventually, my movements became fluid, and I progressed through each one, repeating the cycle over and over again. I became lost in the repetition of the exercises. The physical exertion gave me something to focus on, and I was grateful for the time to practice and allow my mind to drift into nothingness. Sweat coated my brow as I spun and shifted my footing midair to land a fearsome kick in the chest of an imaginary enemy.

Knock, knock, knock. “Skylar?” Idris echoed on the other side of the door, and I rushed to open it.

“What in the Gods’ names have you been doing?” She looked me over from head to toe, gawking at the sweat dripping from my brow and coating my clothes.

“I was training,” I panted. “I don’t like to sit still. I had to do something… I—” I stopped because Idris understood, and she didn’t need another reminder about where her mate was at this very moment.

Idris shook her head, pushing past me to enter the room. She held two gowns in her arms and delicately draped them over the white sheets of my bed. “Thank the Mother and Father you have me. This is going to be my toughest work yet. Now strip down, clean up, and get ready to put those acting skills to the test. You, me, and Castor will all be playing the role of dutiful subjects tonight, and it won’t be easy.”