Page 52 of A Trial of Two Worlds
I didn’t know how he managed to capture this moment with such utter perfection, but here it was.
The painting illustrated a stolen moment in time. Centered on me holding an open book on my chest,quietly reading alone on the green sand beach. I gulped loudly, turning around to investigate the other canvases in the corner. I carefully analyzed each one. My hands shook as I realized a handful were paintings of me. Some were half finished, with only portions of my face completed, and others had the background blurred, with me as the focus. However, one painting at the back of the stack took my breath away.
My hands trembled as I picked it up and strolled toward the bench under the window. This was the night of the full moon when I volunteered to be the shifter champion. The viewpoint was from above, and I realized this must have been Gilen’s perspective from his animal form.
The meadow and surrounding trees were kissed by moonlight. Fine details in the tall blades of grass bending in the wind breathed life into the painting. The wildflowers were still in bloom from the late summer months, adding to the rich color scheme of the field.
Alone, I stood in the center. A look of pure determination was etched in every line of my face. With my hands clenched at my sides, I pulled my shoulders back. I was unafraid, unwavering in the presence of a terrifying destiny.
“Wow,” I rasped.
A tug from my animal broke me from my trance and told me to look toward the door, alert to the presence of another powerful entity approaching.
I stood with my chin up and my shoulders back, summoning my magic and preparing for what would come next. The footsteps ascending the staircase just outside the room were hurried, taking two to three at a time, abruptly coming to a halt in thedoorway.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Skylar Cathal
“Gilen.”
Our stares met as broad shoulders filled the doorframe.
Gilen’s eyes widened with disbelief as he took me in. His once clean-shaven face held a hint of stubble that made him appear older. The casualties of war had cut lines of worry and grief into his expression.
It was him, yet it wasn’t. These months away had changed Gilen almost as much as they had changed me.
In disbelief, he whispered, “Skylar?”
“Hi, Gilen.”
“You’re back,” he rasped, hope filling his expression as he entered. “And you’ve made yourself at home, I see.” He raised his brows, glancing toward the uncovered painting on the stand and the canvas still clutched in my hands.
I opened my mouth to speak, but my words fell short, not knowing what to say.
“It’s brave of you to enter the alpha’s room without permission. The complex is open to the pack, but my room… Now that’s bold.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t move to the alpha’s wing. It’s much larger.”
Gilen stilled as he blinked, glancing toward his feet. “I couldn’t do that to my father. Not after what happened.”
I tilted my head, questioning his response. “But Alistar willingly submitted, right?”
“It’s not that.” Gilen swallowed heavily, pursing his lips as his grip tightened on the doorframe.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, fighting the urge to reach out and comfort him.
“Julia wasn’t the only mountain lion lost that day.”
I gasped as my eyes watered. “Oh, my Gods. Gilen.”
“They all fought bravely. Every casualty of this conflict is honored for their sacrifice, for protecting our people. My mother was no exception.”
Gilen flicked his gaze to me, and I could see through his half-hearted attempt to hide his grief for his mother’s passing. It was the same sorrow that stained my own heart at the knowledge of Julia’s crossing into the afterlife.
“My parents did not have a mate bond, but they loved each other deeply. I can’t force my father to leave the one space he shared with her. So, I remain here.”
“I see,” I answered, understanding Gilen’s kind gesture.
