Page 82 of Spirit Trials

I can’t help my grin. “My wolf. Her name is Solace.”

His eyes shoot to mine. “She’s corporal.”

“Yes, Captain Obvious. She is.”

“That’s...” he doesn’t say anymore; he just stares at Solace.

“I produced a spirit wolf,” I tell him, still beaming.

“That’s no spirit wolf,” a voice says from behind me.

I whirl around. “Hector.” I hug him tightly, even though his arms remain stiff at his side. “Her name is Solace,” I tell him. He stares at my wolf, like he’s seeing a ghost. “Why is everyone acting so crazy? Rysden has a corporal wolf too.” I can’t resist walking over to the two wolves lying beside each other. I run my hands over each of their backs.

“What in the name of all that’s holy is happening?”

I turn at the sound of Harper’s voice and grin. “Harper.” I jump to my feet and practically run over to hug her and Kinsley, who’s right behind her.

“I produced a spirit wolf! Can you believe it?”

“That’s a real wolf,” Harper feels the need to point out.

“She is; her name is Solace. Isn’t she beautiful?” I turn serious as I face my friends. “I’m so glad you’re both okay.”

“And you too,” Kinsley says, rubbing my back.

“I really didn’t think I was going to make it, but Solace got me through.” I face the girls. “I got close to the island and those two guys...do you remember those two that messed with us early on? The blond and the dark-haired guy?” They nod. “They came at me when I got close to the land and held me under water.I couldn’t fight against the two of them; they were too strong.” I shudder, remembering. “I started losing consciousness; I thought I was going to die. Solace came to me and kept me from dying.” I shake my head, reliving those terrible moments.

“Names.”

Rysden’s command startles me out of the memories, and my eyes shoot up. I hadn’t realized he’d come into the room. He stands a few feet away with his arms crossed over his chest, his feet planted.

“Not this again, Rysden. They’re probably dead anyway.”

They’re not dead,Solace says through our link.

I whirl around. “That is going to take getting used to.”

“What is?” Kinsley asks in confusion.

“Her voice in my head.”

Kinsley and Harper’s eyes go wide. “She can communicate with you?”

I nod. “Crazy, isn’t it?” My smile widens. “I’m so glad you both made it back okay.” It hits me suddenly. “Wait, you’re here.”

Harper frowns and puts a hand on my head. “Did you hit your head?”

I pull away. “No, I mean you’re here and not with the banished.”

My eyes shoot to Rysden. “You let them stay.” I don’t look away from him. My heart tugs in my chest, and I walk over to him. I don’t stop to think about it as I wrap my arms around his waist. I feel his body stiffen, but I don’t let it bother me. “Thank you, Rysden.” I don’t dwell on the fact that I can feel the muscles in his chest and arms with my arms wrapped around him like this. I also don’t dwell on the fact that he smells so good—like the scent of the trees after a rain, a scent that is one hundred percent Rysden. I force myself to release him and step back. When I look up at him, his eyes are darker than they usually are.

“You’re welcome.” Before I can walk away, he snags my wrist and pulls me out of the room into the entryway. “Who tried to kill you?” he asks, his eyes flashing dangerously.

“It doesn’t matter, Rysden.”

“It matters.” I take in his scowl and the tightness of his muscles.

I frown and cross my arms over my chest. “You need to let this go. It was my trial, not yours. Why does it matter, anyway? Why are you so protective?”