Page 18 of A Trial of Two Worlds
In the past, Anjani hadn’t been able to invade my dreams with her magic, but a drive for revenge was a powerful motivator.
The warm breeze lifted my sweat-slick hair from the base of my neck. The sunlight warmed my cold, broken skin as wisps of white clouds danced along the clear cerulean sky overhead. I reached up and tied my hair back, relishing in the serenity of this dream, this place that I’d dreamt of for the past twenty years.
I walked along the familiar breaking waves, praying for the waters to help wash away the lingering pains, when—thereshewas.
“Spitfire!” I called out, doubting, but praying it was truly her.
When she turned to look at me, my heart sang. The tether between us lit up and sang the beautiful melody only we could hear.
“Daxton!” she screamed. Her eyes pooled with tears.
It was her, Skylar.
My mate was a breathtakingly beautiful sight to behold. Even the Mother herself would be envious of her.
Luscious, thick golden-brown hair swept out behind her as Skylar began sprinting toward me. The black slip dress flared around her perfect curves, highlighting her strength and feminine grace that drove me wild. Her amber eyes blazed like living flames, drawing me in with their warmth and power.
“Skylar!” I roared as I crashed through the surf.
“Dax!”
When she leaped into my open arms, I could’ve died happy right then and there.
Holding her was a gift I would forever cherish. Her scent hit me, reminding me of burning cedar and open sky with a hint of pine from my homeland.
It was intoxicating.
This female was mine.
It didn’t matter if our mate bond was sealed or not. Fuck that. Our love was strong enough to forge the threads of our unsealed bond.
I leaned in to kiss her, and it felt like I was flying.
I would never get enough of her. She was everything. I thanked the Gods above for granting me what time I had with her, even though I knew there would never be enough. I would never stop fighting to be back in her arms again, never.
All too soon, I was pulled from our shared dream, reluctantly rejoining the waking realm.
Still, that moment with her was enough to keep me going, strengthening me enough to push aside the haunting darkness and torment. The stunning details of her face, how she felt in my arms, and what her lips tasted like when I kissed her.
My spitfire. My heart and soul.
The masked High Fae guards hauled me down the darkened corridor that reeked of death itself. I was tornfrom my dream with Skylar, but I knew I carried her with me. Despite the distance separating us, we were never alone.
I will find you. We will always find each other.
“Pathetic,” one of the guards seethed as they moved me.
“He won’t last much longer if she keeps this up,” the other guard replied. “Even with the healing salve for his wounds.”
“Don’t tell me Anjani’s tired and already giving up?” I taunted in a rasped whisper.
“He’s gone mad.”
“Not yet.” I laughed as my voice cracked. Every word was worth the pain.
The next day, in our second session, Anjani’s lashings became personal. Not one ounce of remorse graced her expression. She enjoyed watching almost as much as partaking in my beatings.
I was drugged with the iron powder before being dragged out of my cell.
