Page 6 of A Trial of Two Worlds
“I wouldn’t dare unleash your temper right now, my love. Seeing as I’m the only one who can tame it,” Adohan purred.
I could almost hear the prideful smirk he undoubtedly wore. Glancing over the railing, I watched as he carried his mate across the first floor of the library. Idris’s muttering of select curses under her breath continued the entire way up to the second-floor landing.
“That’s rich.” Zola snickered under her breath. “You only thinkyoucan tame her, Crimson Prince. Be thankful for your mate bond.”
“You two!” Idris shouted, glaring at the top of the stairs. “You aresolucky I’m about to have this baby. Or else I would throttle you and burn your insides myself.” Her sharpened gaze turned toward Zola’s hideaway. “And that includes you, Z! I know you’re lurking in the shadows over there. I heard you.” Flames danced around Idris’s hands as her rage simmered.
Grinning, without showing her teeth, Zola unveiled her shadows, coming into full view.
“Thank you, Idris,” I said, trying to calm her. “But I’m all right. I just needed a moment.” Even though I knew we didn’t have any to spare.
Idris motioned for Adohan to release her, and he reluctantly followed her request, never once taking his eyes off his very pregnant mate.
“None of them—” Idris paused, reaching for my hands. “None of them understand what it means to have your mate taken from you like that.” She eyed the room, her gaze softening only when she turned back to meet mine. “Do you still feel your bond with him?” she asked. “I know it’s unsealed, but can you still sense Daxton?”
I clutched my chest, closing my eyes and searching for the invisible tether. The pull that had always been a faint whisper guiding me toward my mate. “A little,” I admitted in disappointment. “It’s—”
“It’s there,” Idris encouraged, trying to comfort me in any way she could. “The bond is there, even if you haven’t shifted. Your love is the bridge that connects you to him. Focus on that, and you’llneverlose him.”
Gods bless your fiery heart, Idris.
“I’ll be taking Idris and Adohan back to Crimson City tonight,” Zola announced. “Since Idris is close to birthing my godchild, and the twins were left in charge…”
“Finn and Astro are more than capable of assembling our forces and fortifying the city,” Adohan boasted with a glower cast in the Shadow Jumper’s direction.
Sensing her mate’s emotions, Idris reached up to gently stroke his arm. “Our sons are young. But they’ve had us to teach them. They’ll be ready, my love.”
“It’s imperative that we return home as soon as possible.” Adohan paused as Castor suddenly shot up and stepped forward from his chair.
Nyssa, the fallen fae I healed in the wilt, glided up the staircase to join our group. Looking at Castor, I couldn’t help but notice how tense and out of place he seemed to be. He was frozen like a statue, his attention isolated on only her.
“Nyssa.” I spoke her name as her dark stare turned from Castor toward me.
Gunnar moved behind me, unsettled by her presence, preparing to defend me if necessary.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I said softly.
She nodded, gracefully lowering her petite frame to the floor, folding her fitted tan gown under her knees and bowing her head. She didn’t speak. She hadn’t spoken a word since I healed her as a fallen, and none of us questioned her for it.
Her raven hair cascaded over one shoulder, highlighting her beautiful, soft, pale skin with sharp, high cheekbones framing slanted eyes. When Nyssa looked at you, it was impossible to shake the feeling that she was more than she seemed, like her gaze carried the weight of untold stories and secrets waiting to unfold. Zola bore wisps of midnight stripes across her skin from the wilt, but Nyssa’s scars were hidden from plain sight.
She gracefully raised her hands to begin signing, with Castor translating. “You must return to the mainland and retrieve the dagger of the Heart. The alpha’s dagger.”
“Yes,” I answered.
“Are you afraid?”
I paused, this question catching me off guard. Of course I was afraid. I would be lying to myself if I said otherwise.
Nyssa tilted her head, searching for the words I had yet to speak, almost as if she was reading my mind. “I do not see fear for yourself. You’re afraid for your friends and your family. But you are most of all afraid for your mate.”
Gunnar took a step closer, with Zola moving to his side.
“Do you know?” Nyssa asked.
“Do I know what?”
“What the serpent king told you. Do you understand?”
