Page 7 of A Trial of Two Worlds
“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 theOpal,” Castor said.
