Page 102 of A Trial of Two Worlds
I bit my lip to keep myself together, trying my best to disguise my rising tears as joyful, instead of ones of secret sorrow.
“It’s a beautiful moment,” Zola said.
I nodded, wiping my cheek.
Daxton glanced up from Ember to find me, and I gave him a nod, indicating that I was fine, allowing the tears in my eyes to play the part.
My mate rocked the precious infant into a deep slumber, crossing the room to give her back to her parents. Watching how gentle he was with the baby astounded me, and for a moment everything seemed at peace, until—
Boom!
A loud banging echo broke our harmonious trance, putting Daxton and the others on high alert.
Boom!
It sounded again, followed by a powerful wave of magic that spiraled through the room, shoving us all back a step. Adohan bent over Idris and Ember with Astro on the other side of them, shielding the females from the blast of unknown magic.
Daxton wrapped his arms around me, helping me brace against the waves of magic that pulsed through the walls.
“Adohan!” Daxton shouted as he looked at Zola. “The wards!”
“I’m on it,” Zola said as she leaped into the shadows and disappeared.
Finn and the majority of Crimson City’s army were marching south to rendezvous with Castor and the Silver Meadow Warriors.This was not good.
On cue, Shaw came bursting through the doors, looking to me.“What the fuck was that?”
“I don’t know,”I said.
“Not something good, I imagine,”Shaw answered.
“Judging by Daxton’s response and Zola disappearing into the shadows, I’d say no.”
“Wait, what?”Shaw paused in the doorway and shook his head.“Did you say one of them disappeared into the shadows?”
“Long story, but yes. Zola is—”
“Skylar,” Daxton’s voice boomed, interrupting my communication with Shaw. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his eyes strained with worry. “It’s the wards guarding against the wilt. Do you remember me telling you about the borders around Crimson City, and—”
“Gods above.” I gasped. “No.”
Daxton nodded. “I’m afraid so. We’ve been preoccupied with Minaeve’s retaliation that we overlooked the most menacing threat of all.”
“Gather what forces you can,” Adohan announced into the halls. “We will not allow those creatures to enter Crimson City. We will force them back into the cursed wilt!”
“Yes, Father. I’ll gather the—”
“No, wait,” Adohan said, turning to Astro. “I need you here protecting your mother and sister. If something happens, you must promise me you’ll get them to safety. Protect our home for as long as you can,encourage those with no shelter to remain here, but if it comes to it, I need you to promise to keep them safe.”
Astro’s expression dropped, but instead of arguing, he gave his father a single nod.
“Good, my son.” He leaned in and kissed his brow. “You’re Ember’s protector now, just as Finn is yours.”
“Skylar,” Dax whispered.
“Don’t you dare,” I began as I turned to face my mate.
“Spitfire—”
