Page 26 of A Trial of War
A rush of excitement tangled with a deep carnal desire that nearly stopped me in my tracks. Daxton was on the hunt, andIwas his prey.
“I’m coming for you, Spitfire.”
“Bring it on, Silver Shadow.”
Branches clawed at my arms while the underbrush bit at my ankles. A loud rip stretched through the night air as my skirt tore, but I didn’t stop. I wanted him to chase me.
The forest was bathed in moonlight, casting a glow on our arena. It painted the trees in a silver hue as I darted through the forest of pines, heart pounding like thunder in a storm. The essence of his magic trickled along my spine, but I couldn’t hear him. The anticipation of his hunt was winding me like a spinning top.
I paused to assess my surroundings, reaching toward our bond to sense him.
He wanted me to think I’d lost him. That I was alone. But nice try—I was not that naive. I knew he was watching, picking the perfect moment to strike.
Gods above, I loved this.
A twig cracked somewhere to my left. I whirled, eyes wide, scanning the brush, and then I ran again, teeth bared in a grin that was full of adrenaline and aching anticipation. He was playing with me, testing how far I’d go.
I dodged a low-hanging branch, leaped over a fallen log, and released a laugh into the night. He was letting me get ahead, letting me feel free.
My eyes darted ahead to a clearing, and suddenly, the advantage turned to me.
Heat roared through me as the trees became a blur. My skin split into flames, my bones cracked before they bent, and in a breath, I was gone, soaring skyward on wings of pure flames. As the clearing fell away beneath me, the air caught under my feathers like freedom itself. I released a triumphant call to the night as I flew into the sky.
I heard his boots skidding to a halt in the brush, his frustrations pouring through our bond.
The wind caressed my wings as I circled overhead, my smug victory unmistakable.
“If you can use your gifts,”he said in a dangerous tone,“then I will too.”
I banked hard, rising higher into the sky toward Starfall Island, but I could feel it, his determination settling in. He was far from done, intent on coming after me.
Good.
Soaring along the cliffside, fire trailed in my wake. The ocean crashed below, but I didn’t stop to admire its beauty. My wings ached from the high of the chase, but still I pushed on. Along the southern tip of the island, I saw a hidden alcove tucked into the cliff’s curve, overgrown with moss and shadow.
I landed, talons curling over stone as I tucked my wings into my sides. The heat within me simmered as my flames retracted, feathers morphing into skin. I shifted, barefoot and breathless, as the wild air kissed my bare skin. I sighed, leaning against the rock, allowing myself a moment to catch my breath.
Gods, Idris is going to kill me for ruining that dress.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the spray from the ocean below cool the heat still lingering on my skin.
“Hello, Spitfire.”
My breath caught as I spun toward the back of the cave.
Daxton stepped from the shadows. His gaze dragged over me—slow, deliberate, and utterly intoxicating. Then that damn smile curved across his lips, revealing the dimple on his cheek that weakened my knees. He moved with a fluid, godly grace, like he hadn’t chased me through the forest and across Silver Meadows.
“Shit.” I sucked in a sharp breath.
Before I could blink, he moved, pinning my wrists above my head, his body caging me against the stone wall of the cave. Ice trickled across my skin where his magic reached out to touch me. It was cold and possessive, pinching my nipples before migrating down my ribs, stomach, and then lower… stroking the aching throb between the apex of my thighs.
He chuckled darkly. “You’re caught.”
“Seems I am.”
He bit his bottom lip, and I couldn’t look away.
“Now what are you going to do with me?” I teased.
