Page 12 of Spirit Trials (The Spirit Kingdoms #1)

“One minute and two seconds.”

I climb out of the water and try to climb up the side of the bank, but I get slogged down. Rysden reaches out a hand and takes my hand and pulls me up to where he’s standing. “Th-thank y-you,” I say through my teeth chattering. “I’m going to go take a warm bath.”

“Not yet.”

I turn around, and my shoulders sag. “What now?”

“This way.”

I slog after him, dripping water everywhere. He stops at a wide tree. “Climb it,” he orders.

“I know how to climb trees.”

“When you’re wearing wet, heavy clothes, and your fingers are numb?” he asks in return. I stare at him and then shake my head and face the tree. “Pretty sure you have to touch the tree to start climbing.”

I ignore him as I map out the best way up the tree.

I take a few steps back and then run at the tree.

I take two steps up the trunk and launch myself at a higher branch.

I then pull myself up and begin the task of climbing to the top.

It definitely is more difficult than usual, but I manage just fine.

In a matter of seconds, I’ve reached the top.

Peering down at him, I call out, “How was that?” I don’t bother waiting for a reply before I start climbing down.

When I reach the last branch, I swing forward and drop to my feet beside him.

“Do it again.” I lift my gaze and realize he’s waiting for me to argue with him. I close my mouth and attack the tree again. We walk back to the house in silence after that.

“Tonight, a tailor is coming to the house. He’ll take your measurements and make you some clothes, so you don’t have to keep wearing my brother’s.”

His words surprise me, but I don’t say anything. When we get back to the house, Hector meets us in the entryway and takes in my wet clothes. “I’ll wait for you to change and then we’re going hunting.”

“I already know how to hunt.”

“When there’s snow on the ground and all the game has gone underground?” he asks.

I take a deep breath. All I want is a warm bath and to bury myself under my covers.

“All right. Give me a few.” I make my way up to my room and change into another black shirt and trousers; Jamik has kept me supplied.

I look longingly at my bed before leaving my room and making my way to the front door where Hector is waiting for me. “I’m ready.”

“Farrah.” I turn around to see Rysden holding up something.

Upon closer inspection, I realize it’s a fur.

“Turn around.” I do, and he slips it up and over my shoulders.

Instant warmth envelops me. I close my eyes and let the warmth soak into my frozen bones.

When I turn around, he’s already gone. My eyes meet Hector’s, and he gives me a look I can’t quite read.

“Let’s go, Young One.”

I follow him outside, and we walk towards the trees behind the house or the castle as I call it. After we’ve walked forever, he finally turns to me. “Let this be your first lesson. You have to eat.”

I face him. “Uh, yeah.”

“Other contestants have to eat too.”

His words seem to find a landing place. “I may have to fight for food.”

“Not may. Will.”

I swallow. “Okay.” He begins our lesson after that, but I have a hard time letting go of what he said. Several hours later, we carry our game inside.

“You were successful,” Lox says, looking surprised.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lox,” I say easily.

We’ve already prepared the meat, so we move right into the kitchen.

I get out a large copper pot. A few minutes later, the kitchen smells of searing meat.

Lox carries on an easy conversation that Hector responds to every once in a while, and I mostly just listen.

After I flip the meat, I turn around. “How come you guys don’t have families? ”

“This is my family,” Hector says, surprising me. I didn’t think he would answer. “Those boys are my nephews.” His words are gruff, but I hear the affection in his voice.

My eyes widen in surprise. “Rysden and Jamik are your nephews?”

He confirms it with a nod. “My sister’s boys.”

I study him, trying to see the resemblance; but I just don’t see it. “What about you? Are you related too?” I ask Lox.

Lox laughs. “No, not by blood anyway; but these guys are my chosen family. Rysden and I have been friends since we were young.” He doesn’t give me anything else, and I don’t ask for more.

I season the meat before turning back to them and asking the question that has been burning in my mind. “Why aren’t you both married or mated or whatever?”

Lox shrugs. “Haven’t met the right girl yet.”

“Hmmm.” I look to Hector next, but he doesn’t say anything. I focus on Lox. “There’s really no one in this entire kingdom that appeals to you?”

“Maybe I don’t appeal to them?” Lox suggests with a gleam in his eyes.

“Yeah, I have a hard time buying that.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re a good-looking man. You’re strong, and you have a great disposition.”

Lox blinks. “Seriously?”

“What?” I ask in confusion.

“I have a great disposition? I sound like an ugly woman that no one wants to marry.”

I laugh at his words. “Well?”

He narrows his eyes at me. “I hate you.” I just laugh louder.

I flip the meat pieces over and season them. “My wife died.” I go still at Hector’s words, and I regret ever bringing up this topic. I take a breath and turn to him.

“I’m so sorry.”

Hector stirs the broth he’s making. “You didn’t know.”

I debate over what to say for a moment. “What was she like?”

“Feisty,” he says after a brief hesitation. “Stubborn.” A small smile forms on his lips, and I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen him smile. “But she had a heart of gold. She always took care of others before herself.”

I smile. “She sounds like an amazing woman.” I pat his arm briefly and then go back to my meat. “I wish I could have met her.”

“She would have liked you,” he says after a beat of silence. “Two peas in a pod.” His voice is so quiet; I almost don’t hear the words.

I smile brightly. “Well, I’m honored then.”

He moves away, and I know our conversation is over. Still, the smile stays on my face. Lox saunters over to the pot and looks inside. “We need to find you a girl, Lox. Maybe we could go to some places where people hang out here and appear to be a couple to make other women jealous.”

Lox coughs on the water he just drank, and I face him with a frown. “What?”

His eyes are dancing. “You’re sweet, Farrah. Don't ever lose that.”

I frown. “Why do I feel like I’m being put down?”

Jamik wanders in. “Smells good in here.”

“Thanks,” I say with a smile. “I caught it.”

He gives me a small smile. “Farrah here just told me she wants to go somewhere with me as a couple,” Lox blurts out. Jamik turns to me.

I roll my eyes. “I didn’t exactly say it like that.”

“Don’t tell my brother that,” he says quietly.

“Why?” I ask curiously. “Why wouldn’t I tell Rysden?”

“Tell me what?” the man himself asks as he enters the dining area.

It’s suddenly really quiet in the kitchen. I look at all three guys. “You guys are making a big deal over nothing. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“By what?” Rysden asks.

I turn to face him. “They’re making a big deal because I felt bad for Lox and offered to go somewhere public as his girl to help him out.” I turn back to my meat. “They’re just overreacting.”

“You want to be Lox’s girl?” The question is very low and comes from right behind me. I turn around and realize Rysden is like right there. I take a breath because he’s intimidating this close. He hasn’t been close to me like this since we got here.

I roll my eyes. “I just offered to go with him somewhere and pretend to be his girl for the night, simply to make other women jealous.”

Rysden’s eyebrows pinch together. “To make other girls jealous.”

At this point, he’s just repeating everything I’m saying. “Never mind.” I wave him off and turn back to the meat.

I feel him step close behind me, and I go still when he leans forward.

“You’re not Lox’s girl.” He says the words in a low voice right next to my ear.

A shiver runs down my spine, and goosebumps break out on my arms. I swallow hard and take an unsteady breath when he moves away.

I don’t turn around for a full two minutes.

When I do, it’s as if nothing has happened.

The guys are all talking and carrying on.

That is, until I meet Rysden’s eyes. They’re on me, dark and intense.

I look away because he makes me feel unsteady.

I manage to eat a little bit during dinner, but I have a hard time with Rysden in the same room.

I finally decide it’s just because he’s so intense, and I focus on ignoring his presence.

After dinner, he disappears; and I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

It doesn’t last long because he comes back a few minutes later. “Farrah, the tailor is here.”

“Oh.” I dry my hands from washing dishes and walk over to the short man and put out my hand. “Hi, I’m Farrah.” Rysden moves in front of me, knocking my hand aside so I can’t shake his hand. I frown up at him, but he ignores me.

“Let’s get started.”

“We can go to my room,” I offer.

“No,” Rysden says sharply. “We’ll go to mine.”

I look up at him, wondering at his odd behavior.

I shake my head and follow him to his room, taking it in as I step inside.

It’s similar to mine but larger, and he’s got not one but two of those gorgeous round windows.

There’s a large bed in the center of the room with dark linens and dark furs.

It’s very masculine and seems to suit him.

The tailor steps around me, looking me up and down. “Not a lot of curves to work with. Should be easy for clothes for the trials, not so much for the dinner.”

I feel my face heat to a thousand degrees, and I don’t dare look at Rysden. “Make it work,” I hear him say in a low voice.

“All right. Let’s get to work. I need all your measurements. Strip down, so we can get started.”

I stare at him. “I’m sorry?”

“She’s not stripping down,” Rysden growls. “Do what you need to do without her taking any clothes off.”

I can tell the tailor is exasperated, but he nods anyway.

He’s a little intense as he works, and I try to keep up with his orders.

Finally, he seems to have everything he needs.

“I will get to work.” He faces Rysden, who’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, and a booted foot on the wall.

Something about his position makes me take notice.

It’s like he’s trying to be casual but is anything but.

“I will let you know as soon as it’s done. ”

Rysden nods, not moving from his position. “Just remember, the dress has to be ready for tomorrow night.” I follow the two of them as they walk towards the front door. When the tailor leaves, I turn to Rysden.

“So, what’s this dinner I need a dress for?”

“Tomorrow night, the competitors from the three kingdoms participating in the Spirit Trials will gather for a dinner. We host it because we’re the largest kingdom. The final instructions for the trials will be given then.”