Page 51 of Spirit Trials (The Spirit Kingdoms #1)

A shudder runs through me. “ No thank you.”

Rysden stares down at me. “You are the Champion of the Spirit Trials, and dancing is what scares you?”

I scowl at him. “I don’t know what the dance moves are, and they all obviously do.”

“I’ll teach you.”

Before I can protest, he all but drags me out on the floor. On the way, he stops by a man in crimson uniform with multiple gold bars on his chest. “Captain,” Rysden says with a nod.

“Prince,” the captain says, returning the nod. “Everything is as it should be.”

“Good. Captain, this is Farrah, my mate.” Rysden turns to me. “This is Captain Corwin, the captain of the Royal Guard.”

I’m not really sure what the appropriate thing to do is, so I take my cue from Rysden and nod at him. “Nice to meet you, Captain.”

“And you as well.”

Rysden guides me away a moment later. “Ready for that dance?”

I’m about to beg off when I see the king watching us with narrowed eyes.

I sigh in exasperation. “Fine.” He puts one hand on my back and pulls me close and takes my hand in his other hand.

I catch my breath when he pulls me close.

“Just follow my lead, if you can,” he says with a smirk.

It’s the closest he’s come to giving me a smile tonight, so I let him get away with it.

He’s been tense since we got here, and it makes me nervous.

“Easy,” he says when I trip over my feet.

I focus back on him and make myself pay attention.

It doesn’t take me long to get the pattern to the steps, and soon, we’re moving a whole lot smoother.

“Are you okay?” I ask after a little bit.

His eyes meet mine. “Yes. Why?”

“You just seem really on edge.”

He’s quiet a beat as he spins me around. When I come back to him, he pulls me close. “I’m always on edge here.” His words are quiet, but I can hear him well enough.

“Is that why you live in your own place?”

“That’s one reason,” he admits, surprising me. His arm tightens slightly around me. “I can’t stand being around my father. If I’m here too long, it brings out my rage and desire to kill him.”

I glance over at the king quickly. Even though I know he can’t hear us this far away, it still feels dangerous to have this conversation. And yet, Rysden is finally opening up to me; I don’t want to lose this opportunity. “Because of your mom?” I ask softly.

“She’s the biggest reason, but there are many more.

” His face is tight, and I think he’s done.

The dance ends, and he leads me over to a dark corner.

He edges me into the corner with his body.

With his broad shoulders blocking my view of the rest of the room, I can’t see anything but him.

“He’s cruel to my mom. He makes her drink something that sends her into visions over and over and over again.

” His words are clipped, and his jaw is tight.

“The only reason it hasn’t killed her by now is the blood bond between them.

When she’s at her weakest, he gives her some of his energy.

Not because he wants to help her, but because he needs her to be strong enough to keep having visions. ”

I put my hand on Rysden’s chest. “I’m sorry.” I don’t look away from his stormy gaze. “We will figure out a way to stop him and free her.”

His eyes search my face, his stormy eyes searching mine. “Why would you do that?”

My heart tugs, and I move my hand from his chest to his strong jaw.

“Because, Rysden. She’s your mom. She means something to you, so by default, she means something to me.

” He’s staring at me like he doesn’t know what to say.

I run my fingers along his jaw and through the stubble there.

Then I do something that surprises even me.

I stand on my tiptoes and grip his strong shoulders to keep my balance before I lightly kiss him on the lips.

It’s more of a peck, really. It’s over and done in less than a second.

“You’re not alone, Rysden. Not anymore.” Before I can pull back, a strong arm wraps around my back and pulls me impossibly close.

His lips are on mine a moment later. Heat courses through me at the feel of his lips on mine and his body wrapped around mine.

It’s simultaneously too much and not enough at the same time as heat engulfs me, flooding my veins and body with pressure and tension that I don’t know what to do with.

I want more of him, I decide. I pull on his shoulders, and he pulls me impossibly closer.

Needing more, I open my mouth, and his tongue clashes with mine in an instant.

I moan softly, and he responds with a growl low in his chest. He pushes me into the wall and kisses me as if he’s desperate for me.

My body is on fire, and only he can quench it.

“Rysden,” I gasp, pulling away for oxygen.

It’s his turn to groan low in his chest. He doesn’t pull away but kisses my neck as I catch my breath. “I want you always saying my name like that,” he says in a low, husky voice that sends a thrill through me. “But with far fewer pieces of clothing between us.”

I pull back slightly and arch a brow at him. “That sounds highly inappropriate, Prince.” My voice is sultry, and I barely recognize it.

“The thoughts I’m having of you are not even close to appropriate; trust me.”

Another thrill races through me. “Oh yeah? Tell me,” I say, meeting his eyes without an ounce of fear or distrust.

His eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen them.

He stares down at me with a look I’ve never seen before.

“This dress, for starters, should be outlawed.” His words are little more than a growl, and I throw my head back and laugh at his words.

His fingers graze my sides, and I run a hand over his chest.

“Tell me more.”

A voice clears behind Rysden. “Your Highness.” Rysden stiffens but doesn’t pull back. “Your presence is requested by the King.”

“Tell him I’m busy,” Rysden grounds out.

There’s a pause. “It’s urgent.”

Rysden takes a breath, and I can see the frustration in his eyes. Wanting to make it easier for him, I drop my hands. “I’ll be right here when you get back.”

He stares into my eyes a moment. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Stay close to Lox.”

I nod. “I will.” He bends and kisses me again.

It’s not long, but it’s still enough to muddle my brain.

Again . He turns around and searches the crowd, and I put my hand on his arm.

“Just go, so you can come back. I’ll find Lox,” I watch as all emotion leaves his face, and he turns to follow the palace guard.

I watch him stride away and marvel at the fact that that man was just kissing me.

After he’s out of sight, I walk back towards the food table, intent on filling a plate of food to keep me busy until he comes back. “Champion,” a man says, startling me. “Would you honor me with a dance?”

I pause and look around the room, but I don’t see any way to get out of it graciously.

If I wasn’t the Champion and nobody knew who I was, I would totally turn him down.

But I’m trying to be a good little Champion.

So, with a reluctant nod, I take the man’s hand and join him on the dance floor.

Thankfully, the dance is similar to the one Rysden just led me in; so, I don’t embarrass myself.

Another man cuts in after a little bit, and I dance with him as well.

The song finally ends, and I’m ready to head over to the table for a drink and some food.

But another man steps into my path, and I have to do it all over again.

I’m not sure how many times I’ve danced, but I finally decide I’ve had enough.

I need a drink and a trip to the bathroom and then some food.

I stride to the food table and nearly groan when somebody cuts me off.

But I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize it’s Lox.

He pushes a cup of water into my hand, and I down it. “Thank you. I needed that.”

“You better be glad Rysden’s not here to see you dancing with all these men,” Lox says without looking at me. His gaze is on the room.

“Yeah, well, Rysden left me to fend for myself.” I’m hot and irritated and hungry and just over dancing with every male in the room.

“I just—” Something explodes around us, and I fall to the ground.

I hear a crashing sound that seems to last forever.

There’s a weight on my chest, and I blink trying to understand what’s happening.

The weight moves off my chest, and Lox is suddenly in my face.

He yanks me to my feet and shouts something at me, but I can’t hear him past the ringing in my ears.

He shoves a knife in my hand before whirling around.

I shake my head and look around the room, trying to comprehend what is happening.

When I do, my stomach drops. The windows all along the ceiling are shattered, and men are propelling in through ropes and jumping to the ground.

My breathing speeds up when I take in the strips of black over their eyes and noses.

And just like that, I’m taken back to the day my village was attacked, just hours after the fire from the Guivre.

It’s them—the mercenaries that attacked and destroyed my village. I feel like I can’t catch my breath.

Guards in crimson come streaming in, and I watch as Captain Corwin shouts orders.

But I can’t really hear his words. “Farrah! Farrah!” I hear my name above a cacophony of noise.

“Fight!” Lox yells at me without facing me.

His back is to me, and he’s fighting several mercenaries at once.

Suddenly, there’s a masked man in front of me.

I raise my knife in reflex when he lashes out at me.

I meet his next thrust with another block and force everything else from my mind except this moment.

Something in me settles as I block every hit.

Hours of training with Rysden come flooding back, and my body responds easily.

And when I knock his knife from his hand, I see the opening and take it.

I slice his neck but don’t even see him fall before there are three more.

Solace launches at one of my attackers and takes him to the ground.

Lox takes another one, and I’m left with the third.

I yank a throwing star from my pocket but don’t get a chance to throw it before he’s on top of me.

A knife arcs towards me, and I bend backwards and kick high, kicking the knife from the mercenary's hand and managing to rip my dress at the same time. His eyes widen in surprise for just a moment before he reaches for another knife. I throw my knife before he can grab it. He drops to his knees, but I’m already turning around, moving easier now in my dress.

I yank my own knife from the sheath in my leg and whirl around.

More men in masks fill my vision, and I reach for one of my throwing stars.

It meets its mark. I don’t take the time to retrieve it; there’s no time.