Chapter Two
Skylar Cathal
“Gunnar!” I called out, knowing he wasn’t far, despite being told to keep away.
The steps of the spiral staircase in the corner creaked under his weight as he ascended to the second floor. Dressed and ready for battle.
“Daxton trusts you to lead the Silver Meadows Warriors in his place, Gunnar. So, I’m asking what you think of this plan.”
“We are prepared for war,” the general replied, his long brown, silver-streaked hair braided back against his half-shaven head.
Lightweight, black-scaled battle armor adorned with silver accents highlighted his muscular frame with three silver mountains etched on his shoulder. His dark brown eyes gleamed with the anticipation of battle and blood. Twin axes were strapped to his back.
“For too long, we’ve lived in fear… ruled by it,” Gunnar announced with his shoulders back and chin held high.
“When the wilt is eradicated, Silver Meadows will be ready to fight and break the chains of the self-proclaimed queen. And it’s all tied to you, Skylar Cathal.
” Gunnar’s grin widened as he bent his knee.
“The feisty shifter who bested the labyrinth, earned her victory in the Ice Gauntlet, and slayed the serpent king himself. The true mate of my high prince. A warrior in her own right.” He bowed his head.
“I will raise my blades with your bow and proudly follow you and my high prince into battle.”
I straightened as Gunnar raised his head, meeting my gaze. The pride in his expression was unmistakable, leaving me momentarily speechless. A steadfast belief that made my chest tighten and swell with emotion.
I swallowed a shuddering breath, bracing myself. “If I cannot convince the current alpha to give me the dagger, I’ll have to declare a formal challenge.”
“Good thing I trained you myself then.” Gunnar grinned, rising to stand before me.
“Damn good thing,” I said, giving him a firm nod before looping my arms around his neck to hug him tightly. Pulling back, I glanced at his left arm, the one I sliced with his blade to force him to let me leave the protection of the Summit wards. “Let me heal you.”
“It’ll heal on its own. It’s not my first wound, nor will it be my last.”
I gave him a stern look, and Gunnar sighed, reluctantly removing his armband. I immediately lifted my palm to his cut, allowing my magic to stitch the final pieces together.
“Thanks,” Gunnar said with a sigh of relief.
“Did none of you listen to a word I said?” Idris’s voice echoed through the library. “Adohan, put me down right now. I have some bones to break and heads to smack some sense into.”
“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 think you can tame her, Crimson Prince. Be thankful for your mate bond.”
“You two!” Idris shouted, glaring at the top of the stairs.
“You are so lucky 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’ll never lose 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?”
“I—” To be honest, I hadn’t had much time to think about it. “Do you?” I asked.
She nodded.
“What is she talking about, Skylar?” Idris chimed in, but my focus was only on the fallen fae kneeling before me.
A tingling sensation arose in my chest, my animal’s presence rising to the surface.
“Your animal does,” Nyssa signed, rising to place her palm on my heart.
I stilled, waiting to be taken under by her magic and shown a vision, but nothing happened. She withdrew her palm and folded it into itself, closing her eyes and breathing deeply.
“Look to her,” Nyssa signed, with a kindness beaming brightly in her expression, paired with a soft smile. “Your animal will guide you in your time of need and bring you home.”
Did her abilities allow her to sense my animal?
“Will you tell me what the serpent king meant?” I asked.
“No, only you can unveil the truth,” she answered. “In time, you’ll understand. This journey is meant to challenge you. Discovering the answers before you are ready will only steer you away from your path.”
“Nyssa,” Castor whispered, holding his hand to help her stand.
I watched them closely, her face softening at his kindness, accepting his offer and rising at his side, their hands united in a tender embrace.
I pulled my shoulders back and gazed out the nearby window. “I will travel to Solace alone,” I said to the group.
Castor stiffened.
“I’m going alone,” I repeated. “Daxton entered the second trial with me and almost died because of it. I’m willing to risk my life in these trials, but not yours.”
“Skylar—”
“No,” I said to Castor. I knew he was expecting to travel with me to Solace, but the Inner Kingdom couldn’t spare him. Not now. “You each have a role to play in this rebellion. Each of you has a task to oversee while I’m gone.”
“Daxton won’t be pleased about this.”
“I know,” I said. “But this is something I must do on my own.”
Zola fidgeted uneasily with the hilt of her dagger. “You’re sure?” Zola dared to ask.
I shifted toward her, seeing a challenge spark in her midnight eyes. “Absolutely.”
Zola sighed and clicked her tongue. “If this is your decision, I will respect it. You’ve earned my trust with all you’ve accomplished thus far. I will defer to your judgment on this matter,” she answered, cocking her brow at Castor.
“If I fail…” The room went deathly silent as I looked down at the tattoo on my left arm. “If I die, another champion will come. Another will—”
“There will not be another champion,” Adohan said slowly, his arm curling around his mate. The look in his eyes said more than his words ever could.
“Very well,” I replied, clearing my throat. “Make sure you do your part, and I’ll do mine.”
Adohan gave me a curt nod, his flames dancing across his shoulders and through his hair. So many emotions were running wild it made it difficult to concentrate. There was fear, pain, dread, and selfishly, there was a hint of joy at returning to Solace.
If I succeeded in the final trial, I would have to ask the unthinkable, break traditions, and potentially shatter the world my people lived in.
Challenging the alpha was no small task.
Be ready. Be willing, the basilisk warned me. Was he referring to the birthright my father held? To my role as the next alpha of my pack?
“Call the Opal,” Castor said.
Lifting my hand, I opened it to say, “Captain Fjorda of the Opal. I call upon your ship to ferry me across the seas and back. I call upon your aid in my final task of the trials.”
Like magic, a loud horn blasted through the library’s silence, echoing over Silver Meadows from the harbor to the east of the city.
“The Opal, it appears has answered your call,” Gunnar said.