Page 85 of Spirit Trials

“When did you talk to my mother?”

“Before the last trial.”

His eyes scan my face. “You went to the castle?”

“No, she came here.” That seems to help him calm slightly. “She came here while you were out doing whatever you were doing for your father.” He doesn’t say anything, and I continue. “She told me about your brother. I’m so sorry, Rysden.” I watch him carefully. “I can’t imagine,” I pause, trying to find the words. “I get why you would be so angry with the banished.”

His head lifts, and he meets my eyes. I shudder at the darkness there. “No, you can’t.” I stay quiet. “What they did to him—” He stops talking and cracks his neck. “They brought him back in pieces.” My stomach clenches and revolts in horror. “Nobody deserves that.” He grinds his teeth together.

I can’t take it. I stand up and walk over to him. Even knowing he might push me away; I wrap my arms around him from behind. His shoulders tense, but he doesn’t shove me away. “I’mso sorry.” I’m not sure how long we stay that way, but eventually the tension in his shoulders begins to lessen. “That’s why Hector came to the castle, isn’t it?” I ask softly. “He came to train you after your brother died.” Rysden nods, confirming my words. “So, you wouldn’t lose and be banished as well.” I get it. I don’t agree with it, but I get why he hates the banished so much. It also didn’t help their case with the king; that’s for sure.

“I knew you’d never send your friends back there.” His voice is low and soft. “I made a plan for the two of them.”

I blink and try to process what he’s saying as I step around him, so I can look at him. “What?”

“I made a deal with Kaldar to take them to his kingdom.”

I pull away from his hand on my shoulder. “Kaldar?”

“Kaldar, the king of the jags and my friend.”

I stare at him, trying to wrap my mind around this new development. “You already did that?” At his nod, I take a step back. “When?”

“When I realized they were your friends and knew you’d never let them go back.”

“Then why didn’t you say something earlier?”

The corners of his lips turn up. “Does it make me a terrible person to enjoy seeing you get riled up?”

“Yes, Rysden. Yes, it does.”

His smirk widens before it slips away completely. “I can’t save them all, but I can save your friends.”

Anger rushes back in at his words. “Why not?” I hear the desperation in my voice, but I can’t shake it.

“It’s not in my power to change the law.”

I look him dead in the eye. “Because your father is the law?” He nods. I put my finger on his chest. “Then end him and take his place and make this kingdom just and fair forallits people.”

He exhales a breath. “Careful, Wildheart. That sounds a lot like treason.”

I pause. “Wildheart?”

He reaches out and fingers a red curl. “You are fierce and wild and yet, you still manage somehow to keep a tender heart,” he says almost reverently.

I cock my head to the side. “Are you saying you’re trying to tame me?”

His eyes gentle. “Never. You are perfect exactly the way you are.” He tucks the hair behind my ear, and I swallow. From Rysden, that might as well be a declaration of love.

I push on, since he’s actually talking to me and answering my questions right now. “What does it mean for our wolves to be mates?”

His hand stills before it drops back to his side, and his eyes search mine. “You’re scared.”

I frown. “I’m not scared; I’m just,” I pause. “Uncertain.”

He reaches out and takes my hand in his, surprising me. “I would never hurt you. You know that, right?” I nod without thinking about it. I know he never would...intentionally at least. “I’d kill myself before I hurt you.”

It’s my turn to study his face. “Why?”