A Trial of the Heart (Valdor #2)

Chapter Twelve

T his place was cold as if death lingered in the cracks along the gray stone walls. It was desolate, isolated, and, above all else, petrifying. The hairs on my neck stood on end, with my animal spirit restlessly stirring inside me. She was warning me. Not to run but to keep my guard up, to see what my eyes alone couldn’t. Nothing was as it seemed in here. Our minds would be tested in this place, and if I had any hope of surviving, I knew I had to rely on her primal instincts and my own.

The same stone that encased the staircase on our descent from the palace adorned the walls along with the spiked vines of some kind of ivy-looking plant.

There was no ceiling above my head, only a haunting abyss of endless night that I could not see through, despite my keen eyesight. I knew the labyrinth was underground, and it would be dark here, but this was something else. The air surrounding me smelled foul and putrid, doing little to settle my pounding heart and shaking nerves.

A singular path stretched out before me with only one direction to wander. I squared my shoulders, swallowed my reservations, and turned to take my first step on the broken cobblestone path. My animal’s presence surged inside my middle, reminding me that regardless of the terrors that lay before me, I was not alone in this fight. I smiled to myself, knowing I always had her with me, a gift inherited from my father that never ceased to amaze me.

As I took my first step forward, a flash of bright light blinded me from above, forcing me to shield my eyes and turn away.

Why, hello there.

What was that? I spun around frantically, looking for the source of the voice I heard. “Who’s there?” I said. Was there someone else in here with me? I thought only the champion bearing this mark could enter the first trial.

Such a twisted yet beautiful mind you have… Oh, the games we shall play.

“Who’s there?” I screamed again into the emptiness. Shivers crawled up my spine as I realized my ears hadn’t heard the voice. It echoed inside my mind.

I would not dawdle if I were you, sshhhifter. Time, as you know, is not on your side. The key you seek will only be freed if you can meander the pathway and reach my center. If you reach this point before the Mother seeks her rest and the Father takes his turn watching us from above, you may leave here alive.

I realized this inhuman, cold, decrepit voice speaking directly into my mind was the labyrinth itself.

Must another fall so soon? The voice of the Labyrinth gave an audible sigh of pity. I had such high hopes after the last champion. He made it so far, but alas, his mind was ultimately lost.

Suddenly, I felt the floor beneath my feet tremble, forcing me to stagger and fall to my knees. I braced my hands against the wobbling stone, praying for the shaking to stop. I had never felt anything like this in my life. The rolling shockwaves vibrated the earth, forcing me off balance and preventing me from moving onward.

Hurry along , the labyrinth taunted as the sounds of crumbling stone echoed around me. Was the labyrinth collapsing?

I twisted my head to look behind me as the floor began to disappear. “What the—”

Never say I didn’t warn you.

Adrenaline surged through my veins as I sprang to my feet, sprinting as fast as I could down the path. Each time the heel of my foot lifted from the cobblestone, it vanished into nothing, disappearing into a bottomless chasm.

My animal pumped power through me, urging my limbs to move faster than they ever had before. Drafts of vile-smelling air wafted from the empty abyss that chased after me, reminding me of death incarnate and what awaited if I faltered in my steps. I pumped my arms as fast as I could, trying to encourage my trembling legs to follow suit.

Daring a glance over my shoulder, I could no longer see the entrance or the fog I passed through to enter. I took a sharp turn to my right, grabbing the corner of the wall with my outstretched hand to help continue my momentum along the corridor. The labyrinth shuddered and shook once more, throwing me off balance, and I crashed hard into the ground. My chest collided with a protruding piece of stone, but thankfully, the armor of Aegis kept me from cracking my sternum.

Lucky break for you, it seems…

Rubbing the center of my chest, I silently thanked Rhett for giving me this armor. Then, to my surprise, I noticed the halt of the vanishing cobblestone floor during the earthquake. Thank the Gods; this gave me time to think and get my bearings, but my relief was short-lived. Crouched on the ground, I heard a faint growl and screeching sound from beneath me, under the labyrinth itself. I bent to place my ear on the ground to listen but soon regretted my decision.

“What in the Gods’ names is that?” I exclaimed. The sounds of teeth and claws vibrated beneath the layer of cobblestone, steadily growing louder from the empty pathway behind me.

My children are hungry…

Well, fuck… this was not good. “For what?”

For you. And, yes, I agree, not good at all. They only awaken and are granted an opportunity to hunt and eat once a century when my gates open. They absolutely love the taste of fresh shifter flesh.

“Sorry to disappoint them, but they won’t be dining on me tonight.”

It’s actually the bones they enjoy the most. The flavor lasts longer.

“Or any other shifter ever again!” I yelled at nothing and everything all at once.

The soul-rattling scraping of claws against stone amplified. The echoes of jaws opening in anticipation of a meal quickened my frantically beating heart. They were mere inches away, hiding in the darkness behind me where the stone path once stood. I gasped in pure terror and scurried from the gaping hole filled with deadly creatures. In all my life, I had never heard such monstrous sounds. These creatures, or children—whatever was lurking down there, were not something I wanted to meet.

So brave. The other champions thought that as well. But in the end, fortunately for my children, they were wrong .

“Well, I’m not like the others that have come before me.” The walls and floor finally stopped shaking, and I regained my balance enough to jump to my feet and continue running.

No… The voice of the labyrinth paused for a moment, making my insides turn. You are definitely not. You are more . Interesting. This shall be a treat.

“If you say so.” I wasn’t planning on sticking around long enough to find out.

I sprinted round another corner, bearing right. My feet pounded against the cold stone with relentless resolve. I was determined to distance myself from those monsters as much as possible. As I rounded another turn, the fog from the entrance reappeared along the straightaway, forcing me to skid to a halt. I shuddered with surprise and fell backward, thrusting my arms in front of my face to try and shield myself. The mist encased me, encircling my limbs and brushing over my skin with its magic, almost like it was tasting me.

Ahh — there it is. You’re not just a shifter; you’re also human. This is a first. I’m genuinely intrigued.

It wasn’t the first time I’d heard that. “Happy to hear the trial of the mind has some intelligence present. I was curious when you’d discover that hidden gem about my origins.”

And a quick wit as well. Oh, what a delight.

“You’ve got a sick way of describing something as— fun ,” I said to the emptiness as the fog slipped away into the cracks of the walls. I pushed up onto my feet once more and jogged along the straightaway. I could keep this pace all day if I had to, but the air in the labyrinth was different. Each breath I took was labored, almost like the thinning air was disappearing as time slowly ticked.

Wise to keep up the run .

“Thought so, considering I have no way of telling how long this labyrinth is. And as you kindly pointed out, I don’t have time on my side.”

I’m not sure how long it will last.

Stopping to try to catch my breath, I panted heavily, sweat dripping from my brow onto the ivy-covered cobblestone path beneath my feet. No matter what I did, I couldn’t manage to catch a full breath. I knew the lack of air was causing my muscles to fatigue faster than I had anticipated. “Why… am… I…” I panted, struggling to speak. “Why can’t I catch my breath?”

Why wouldn’t you be struggling to breathe? The labyrinth is… underground. Do you see any specks of daylight that lead to the open air above? The magic of the trial can only hold air for so long.

“Prick,” I murmured.

Now, that was rude.

“You’re trying to suffocate me! I believe that is rude,” I said with quiet fury, lifting my arms over my head and gasping as I leaned against the wall for support. I focused on breathing in through my nose and then out through my mouth, trying to steady my mind and regain my senses.

True, but what if I told you the floor wasn’t disappearing at the start and that my children were not real?

“W-what?” I stammered, glancing backward. My eyes widened as the cobblestone path behind me magically reappeared before my eyes. What now?

Welcome to the trial of the mind.

“Fucking prick,” I cursed again, forcing myself to continue forward and meander around another corner of the nightmare I was trapped in.

Well, congratulations.

“For what?” I sneered with hardened words .

One of the four shifters before you fell into the abyss and fed the monsters below your pounding feet.

“I thought you said the floor was not disappearing and that your children were not real?”

The floor did not disappear as it has now returned. And the monsters below are not my natural-born children. I am merely their keeper. I fondly call them my children, but they are no such thing.

“A play on words… fan-fucking-tastic,” I groaned as I jogged down the path. “So why are you giving me congratulations again?”

Because you… have forced my hand.

“Didn’t know you had any.”

Clever.

“You still didn’t answer my question,” I said as I leaped over an ingrown patch of thorny vines protruding from a seam in the cobblestone.

Watch your step.

Before I could think of a rebuttal or slight back, the vines I was stepping over parted to reveal… nothing . I tumbled forward, unable to stop myself from falling into a darkened pit.

Always a good idea to be mindful of your surroundings , the labyrinth said, followed by a sinister chuckle.

I screamed as I fell through an opening in the cobblestone floor, desperately reaching out for anything to grab onto. The thorny vines that encircled the opening were my only salvation. I reached out, desperately curling my hands around them as my body somersaulted and plummeted into darkness. The thorns tore into my flesh, penetrating the skin on my palms and shredding them to pieces. Still, I held on for dear life as I dangled helplessly in the opening of the labyrinth floor .

Nothing clever to say now? the voice inside my head taunted. You better think of something quick because I can hear one of them approaching.

“Outstanding,” I grunted as I looped a vine around my leg. The thorns dug into my calf, but I knew I had to sacrifice a slight wound to find leverage to hoist myself out of this crater of death.

The snarling, grotesque echoes of grinding teeth snaked their way through the depths below, slithering closer to my dangling feet.

Oh, you won’t enjoy this monster, I’m afraid. She relishes the screams almost as much as I do.

The scorching hot breath of the shadow-cloaked creature encircled my dangling feet as a long serpent-like tongue curled around my ankles. It licked at the trickling blood that dripped from my wounds with a low purr of satisfaction. A pang of fear shot straight through my core. My animal fluttered to life, warning me to run, desperate for me to do something to get us out of there. The monster patiently lingering below, but it wouldn’t be long before a vine snapped or I lost my grip.

She’s drooling from the mere taste of your blood. How remarkable. The voice almost sounded joyous, making me sick.

I struggled to hoist myself up; the fatigue from my run along the path and the thinning of the air put me at a disadvantage. The labyrinth had been taunting me this whole time. Purposely distracting and weakening me so I would fall into this opening and be unable to escape.

What shall you do, Champion? Give up?

No. Never. I gritted my teeth and pulled myself up along the thorny vine.

What is this? Is there some stamina remaining in the shifter-human hybrid ?

Ignoring the labyrinth, I used my leg as a base to help hoist myself closer to the opening. Blood soaked my pants and dripped freely from my hands. Underneath me, I could hear the screech of dismay from the monster concealed in the darkness. The screams echoed off the stone wall, tearing into my mind with a piercing, high-pitched ringing sound. I screamed as I sank back down to my previous position, my blood-soaked hands unable to fasten a firm grip on the vine.

My mistake.

No, it couldn’t end like this. It wouldn’t end like this. I sought out every ounce of my strength and sheer stubborn will to push through the pain and ache of my muscles to pull myself free. I thought of everyone depending on me back home and here in the Inner Kingdom. And then, I thought of him.

Interesting , the labyrinth snickered.

I tried once more to pull myself up, using my legs as much as I could to help lift me. My limbs shook as the reality of my death sank in. I was going to fall.

“Skylar!”

My head perked up as I scanned across the opening above my head.

“Skylar!”

My name echoed again from above. Was this some kind of trick? The voice of the labyrinth was only inside my mind, but this… This sound was real.

“Daxton?” I couldn’t believe it. I shook my head, trying to right myself, but when I opened my eyes, he was still there.

“I’m going to get you out. Hold on!” he yelled as he disappeared for a moment before returning. “Grab onto this.” He threw down a line of rope, wrapping the other half around his torso as an anchor .

“H-how?” I stammered, so dumbstruck that I didn’t reach for the lifeline dangling next to me. “How are you here?”

“Come on. Don’t give up and die on me now. Grab the rope, and I’ll tell you.” I released my thorny vines and grabbed the lifeline that Daxton was granting me.

“Hold on,” he hollered as he began pulling me up. My bloodied hands made it difficult to keep my grip, but I refused to let go. Once I reached the top, I collapsed into Daxton’s open arms. He ignored the fact that my hands were drenched in blood and scooped me into his lap, holding on to me just as tightly as I was to him.

“You’re hurt,” Daxton murmured with concern as he gently released me to examine my hands.

“Just a few scratches.”

His brows arched as he shook his head, telling me that he was not convinced. “Here, I believe it’s my turn to heal you.” Cradling my hands in his, he allowed his ice magic to flow over the top of my burning wounds, caressing my bleeding skin and binding together the cuts and scrapes that were inflicted by the thorns. “There… That should do it.”

“Strange turn of events—you healing me this time around.”

“I’m merely striving to meet the standard you mentioned on our journey here from Crimson City,” he said with a coy smile as his lips gently kissed my healed skin.

“A lot of good this armor did to protect me.”

Daxton either ignored or shrugged off my remark and turned his attention to my calf. He gently guided his magic over the wounds and healed them with ease.Then, without warning, Dax unsheathed a knife from his belt and thrust the tip against the side of my torso.

I gasped and flinched backward. My eyes widened in surprise. “What the—”

“The armor protects what it covers.”

“Gods, Dax! That would’ve left one hell of a mark.”

“I believe I’m owed one from our first encounter.” His dark brows arched upward as he sheathed his dagger. “With this armor, you’re safe, Skylar. Besides … you know I would never harm you.”

I nodded and gave him a soft smile. My animal, however, remained silent. “Dax,” I murmured, almost forgetting where I was for the moment. “How the fuck did you find me?”

His storm gaze met mine, and a playful gleam shone from within. “Do you really have to keep asking that?”

I couldn’t hide my smile even if I wanted to. I reached out my hand to thread my fingers in his hair while he held my other close to his chest. His trimmed beard was the same, which magically felt soft against my touch. His eyes were his—and I could feel his strong beating heart beneath my palm as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers traced the outline of my face, migrating to my chin as he gave me a rushed, hurried kiss, pulling me to my feet.

“How are you here, Daxton?” I dared to ask again. “The labyrinth said only one may enter this trial.”

“Always with the questions, Spitfire.” He chuckled, stealing another kiss before moving to stand. “Come on. Follow me.” Without hesitating, I followed.

After what seemed like an eternity of him dragging me along the path, I asked again. “Dax… how are you here? ”

He tilted his head to the side, pursing his lips in a thin line as we turned around yet another corner. The turns seemed to be occurring more often now, indicating we might be nearing the center. Glancing sideways at him, it seemed like he was wrestling with the same question I was asking. It dawned on me that he may not even have a reason why he could teleport into the labyrinth and find me.

“There was an opening,” he said softly. “I could feel the magic of the fog separate, and I heard your scream.”

“My scream?” I paused, tugging on his hand. “You heard me from the outside?”

He nodded. “It was the same for all the other champions before you. Those on the outside could hear what was happening inside the stone walls, but we could never come to their aid.”

“Until now?”

“Until now.”

“Could you hear everything?” I asked.

“No, not everything,” he said with a firm expression that I couldn’t seem to crack. “Imagine you’re in a closed room. We can hear loud noises, but your normal conversations are muffled.”

“Dax, wait,” I said, forcing him to stop and look at me. I was relieved that he was here, but I was also scared for him. “This place is a nightmare. I don’t want to see you get hurt on my account. What will Minaeve think if we manage to get out of here? What will happen to you?”

“Shh,” he whispered, pulling me close. “All will be fine. Don’t burden yourself with those thoughts. Let’s just focus on surviving this place and obtaining the key.”

“Right,” I said with determination. “How much time had passed before you were able to teleport here? ”

“Too much, I’m afraid.” Concern flashed across his features, making me tense. “We’d better hurry. Smart to keep up the run.”

“Keep up the run,” I repeated slowly, “right.”

We took off down the hallway, keeping pace with each other and making sure not to step near the vines. Every so often, I could hear claws clicking or the deep growl of the monster’s hunger lurking from beneath. It was a reminder of what lay in wait if I mis-stepped again.

Glancing ahead at Daxton, I was amazed by his stamina and speed as we zipped through the labyrinth. It didn’t even look like he was breaking a sweat while I, on the other hand, could soak the floor with my brow alone. The heat was somehow intensifying down here, along with the thinning air. Daxton’s cloak swept aside as he came to another right turn, but unlike the others, I came crashing to a stop, colliding with his backside. I landed with a firm thud against his solid frame, practically bouncing off and ending up on the ground. He looked back and quickly reached out a hand to steady me.

“What’s with the sudden stop?” I asked.

Daxton’s brow furrowed as his eyes narrowed and darted to the space behind him. He swallowed a heavily weighted sigh. “Take a look for yourself. I believe there’s a challenge for you ahead.”

I peered around his wide shoulders to see what had caused him such alarm. In the center of the labyrinth pathway, a raised pedestal blocked our route. “What in the Gods’ names is that for?”

“I’m afraid you, Skylar, are the expert of this place. Not me.”

“Oh, joy,” I groaned as I meandered around Daxton to approach the pedestal. I was cautious, looking for any sign of trickery or a hidden trap. A sense of normalcy had already fooled me, and I wouldn’t want that to happen again.

Why, hello again …

“What was that?” Dax shouted as he spun around and extracted a long dagger from his belt. Why didn’t he summon his silver sword? Maybe there was not enough room with these close quarters to do so safely. I knew Dax carried an array of weapons, always armed to the teeth, ready to counter any threat of danger lurking, and this place was the epitome of danger.

“That’s the voice I’ve been hearing since I entered this place,” I said.

“A voice?” Dax stammered, clearly shaken by the labyrinth. “That’s unsettling.”

“Keep your dagger out and watch my back. I have a feeling we may need it.”

He nodded and stepped in closer, shielding my backside while I concentrated on moving forward. As I reached the pedestal, I noticed a small divot in the stone, reminding me of an offering plate.

I have an offer for you, hybrid. A bargain.

Fantastic , I thought, not enjoying the idea for one second. I did not trust the labyrinth.

“What is your offer then? Besides stalling me from reaching the center?”

Not just you, it appears. Hello, High Prince Daxton Aegaeon of Silver Meadows. So kind of you to join us.

I glanced at Dax, who held a stern, cold look that could kill an enemy where they stood. The look I knew he had given time and time again as the Silver Shadow moments before death swiftly followed. He remained silent with his jaw clenched and his dagger at the ready.

“What offer do you have?” I repeated into the abyss.

Eager as always .

“Aware of the time is more like it.”

Well, so as not to waste the little time we have remaining together… here’s my offer that I believe you both will find intriguing.

“Both of us?” I shifted and glanced at Daxton. “Don’t buy into its game,” I whispered.

It’s far too late for that. He’s already inserted himself into my world, and if either of you wish to leave here alive, I suggest you listen to my proposal.

“I’m waiting…” I said in a harsh, gruff tone. I would risk my own life in this place, but I was not willing to leave Daxton’s life to chance. Too many relied on him outside these stone walls.

A circular opening appeared to our right with blinding light encased by outer edges of swirling magic. I shielded my eyes and felt Daxton come to my side. As my eyes adjusted, I lowered my arm to see a tranquil, majestic forest with a calm, winding river between various rocks and trees inside the swirling magic. It was so peaceful, so serene. The labyrinth had just opened a portal—an actual doorway out of here.

Take this exit with your companion , the labyrinth suggested. And free yourselves from the burdens of this life. I don’t have to worry about losing a key; you have an escape. This is what you might call a win-win scenario.

“What’s the catch?” I knew better than to blindly accept this handout. Throughout my life, I had always fought for everything I had. Nothing was ever freely given; it was earned. I knew the labyrinth would be no different.

You’re freed from the burdens of this task, and you may pass to a new beginning. You can escape the worries of this life, and be free together.

“What’s the catch?” I demanded this time .

“Skylar,” Daxton growled. “Why are you questioning this? We’re being offered a chance to leave! Let’s take it and run.” Daxton stepped toward the portal, tugging on my hand, but I held steady, refusing to follow him.

“Skylar,” he said my name again, the creases in his brow forming lines of concern that mimicked rivers cutting through a stone canyon. “What are you waiting for?”

“What happens to the Inner Kingdom? To Solace? The wilt?” I asked. “It will spread everywhere, Daxton. What will become of the trials? Of our world?” Only silence followed my questions.

Why does it matter? The task will simply fall to another in one hundred years’ time.

“Dax,” I pleaded, urging him to stop and consider the consequences of taking the labyrinth’s offer. “We can’t let this happen. You know the state of your realm. The Inner Kingdom won’t last another hundred years. What… What if…” I paused for a moment, thinking this through. “What if Daxton is allowed to leave while I continue onward?”

“No!”

Slowly, I turned to look at my high prince. “I won’t put you in harm’s way. I would rather die before I let anything happen to you, Daxton.” I snapped my mouth shut to keep it from falling to the floor. I surprised myself with the sincerity of my confession and for how bold I was being in spite of all this danger.

I now understood what this ache in my chest truly was, why my breath stilled every time I saw him, and why I asked him countless questions just to listen to his voice for a few moments longer.

I was in love with Daxton and had been for some time now .

He was the steady voice that calmed the rage inside—the castle walls that never wavered in support when I was forced to combat my darkest memories. I was too scared to admit it before, even to myself.

“I won’t leave without you. The fate of the world means nothing to me,” Daxton countered, and I felt myself step away, taken aback or maybe just too stunned by my own realization to comprehend what he had just said.

“What—What do you mean?” I asked.

“Without you, there is no world for me, Skylar.”

My beating heart stilled and ached inside my chest. In my mind, there was no other option in this scenario. I would do everything, even give my life, to ensure he survived. Too many people depended on him, regardless of my success or failure.

I said you both would escape the burdens of this world. Your partnersees the truth in this and knows I have the power to ensure it.

“Why are you offering us this?” I cursed at the labyrinth. I refused to believe this was nothing more than a ruse.

You summoned another inside my walls. How? I do not know. But what I do know is that this is not something I wish to put to chance. You could call others to your aid with your unique magic combined with your ferocious will. You may, in fact, best this trial, and then I will cease to have a purpose. Being locked in a prison with no purpose — Now that is just maddening.

“So, in the face of uncertainty, you offer a coward’s escape. I hate to break it to you, but that’s not something I see myself doing.”

“Enough of this!” Daxton roared. “Skylar, you’re coming with me, and we’re escaping. You don’t have a choice in this. I am making this decision for you. We can be together. Isn’t that what you want?” The plea in Daxton’s eyes made me hesitate.

Yes. It is clouded, but even a blind man could see it, if not feel it. Hmm, interesting, I believe that is how you called him here. A force as fickle as fate, it seems, and just as powerful.

“I-I…” I couldn’t believe this was happening, and I hated that Daxton was putting me in this position. I searched for my animal’s presence, but she was silent. No, she was absent. There wasn’t even a whisper of her guidance, making me feel isolated and alone. I had never felt this lack of connection with her before, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a warning.

“Daxton,” I pleaded once more. “I want this. I do. But this is not the way to do it. I have to see the trials through. And I know you. We couldn’t live with the guilt of abandoning everyone we care for just for the sake of our own happiness.”

“Fuck the world, Skylar,” he roared. “ You… are my world.” His confession was earth-shattering but also deathly frightening. “You’re coming with me,” he demanded as he reached for my arm, his grip tightening like a vice.

“No!” I countered, ripping my arm out of his grasp. “This isn’t you, Daxton! This isn’t right…” And then suddenly, it dawned on me. “You… You’re not really Daxton, are you?”

A sheepish grin crept to the side of his trimmed beard, his square jaw cocking to the side. I gritted my teeth as anger boiled inside me.

“Daxton wouldn’t force my hand. This… This is all some kind of sick trick!” I silently cursed myself. How had I missed it before? The absence of my animal’s presence, the shift in his demeanor, and the way he tried to force his hand. It all made sense now.

This was not Daxton .

It was a damn good impersonation of him, but it wasn’t him. “Who are you?” I roared, my power flaring out around me in a pulsing wave.

“It’s still just us in here, I’m afraid.” Daxton was still standing before me, but now, his voice was different. “All I’ve done is taken a new form … One that I thought would’ve convinced you to freely turn away from the path and ultimately grant me a victory.”

“Labyrinth?” I breathed.

“Why, hello there.”

Sheer horror took my breath away as I realized that this was the labyrinth. It had the ability to take a physical form. It could shapeshift.