Page 121 of Spirit Trials

“Never. You’re mine, Farrah. I love every part of you and always will.”

“So, our souls are bonded?”

“For eternity,” he says confidently. “Now, get some sleep.” He kisses me again, and I settle against him.

“So,” I can’t help but add. “If we’re bonded, then we’re practically married, right?”

“Right.” A devious grin forms on my face, and his eyes narrow. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing,” I say innocently. I lean forward and kiss him softly. When he responds, I deepen the kiss. He groans low in his chest and pulls me closer. His tongue tangles with mine, and I lose myself in him. Finally, I remember what it is I was trying todo. I manage to pull back. “You look tired, Rysden. You should sleep.”

“I am most definitelynottired now.”

I roll towards him. “Well, then maybe we can do something else.” I cock my head to the side. “Just until you get tired, you know?”

He growls and pulls me so that I land on top of his chest. He kisses me again and again and pulls my hair free of its braid so that it falls around us. “You’re my everything, Farrah,” he breathes in between kisses.

“Prove it,” I challenge him.

He chuckles darkly. “My Wildheart.” And then he shows me just how much he loves me.

When I wake up the next morning in the arms of my mate, I smile as the sun hits my face. Rysden is King now. Change is coming to the Wolf Kingdom, and all of it is good.So good. My mom and brother are going to live with us, and Kinsley and Harper can stay here and make their homes here. Solace and Shade are going to have pups. There is so much to look forward to. Life as Queen is going to take some getting used to, but with Rysden at my side, I can only smile at the future.

Somebody screams, and I freeze. Rysden’s shocked eyes meet mine. For just a moment, we stare at each other before we throw back the covers and run for the bedroom door.

Chapter 60

Rysden grabs his sword and flings open the door. I follow behind him with a knife in hand as we race for the stairs. He takes the stairs faster than me and beats me to the bottom. Lox is already running out the front door. “What is it?” Rysden demands.

“Don’t know,” Lox calls out over his shoulder. Rysden and I follow a moment later and come to a dead stop.

“What in the—” Lox starts.

I take in the scene in an instant. Kinsley is deathly pale, standing in front of a jaguar—a fully corporal, real jaguar. “Please help me,” she calls out in a whisper. Neither Rysden nor Lox move, but I push past them.

“Farrah, wait,” Rysden tries to catch me, but I evade him.

I keep my eye on the jag as I approach my friend. It doesn’t look aggressive; it just tracks us with its eyes. I take a second to admire the gorgeous creature with its black rosettes and tawny fur. Its bright green eyes track me, and I resist the urge to shiver. Solace and Shade round the barn and come towards me, keeping an eye on the jaguar. Shade walks beside Solace, keeping himself between her and the jag. I make it to Kinsley's side, and Rysden appears beside me. The wolves settle on either side of us. The jaguar doesn’t move, but I can see the keenness in its eyes. Rysden puts a hand on my waist, but I’m not worried. There’s something about this jaguar that reminds me of Solace. “Kinsley.” I reach out and take her hand. She squeezes mine fiercely. “Have you tried talking to it?”

“What? Are you out of your mind?” Her voice is a high screech.

I keep my voice low and calm. “Just try.”

“Um, okay. Uh, hi? I’m Kinsley.” There’s silence, and I hold my breath. When she staggers backwards, I put my arm out to brace her. “Ohhhhhh,” she breathes.

I grin because I know exactly what’s going on. “Would somebody please tell me what’s going on?” Lox asks impatiently.

My grin widens. “Kinsley just met her spirit jag, which happens to be fully corporal.” She turns to me, panic in her eyes. “It’s okay,” I assure her.

“But how?” Lox asks what we’re all thinking.

Kinsley turns back to the jag and stares at her and then turns back to us. “She said...” she swallows hard. “It’s because I didn’t finish the trial. So, it took longer for her to find me.”

I can’t help it; I turn to see how Harper’s taking all this. She meets my eyes but doesn’t say anything. I turn back to Kinsley. “Congratulations.” I frown. “Are you okay?”

Her face pales even more. “I think I’m going to be sick.” Then she throws up all over my feet.

“Ew, thank you.”