Page 57 of Spirit Trials (The Spirit Kingdoms #1)

I sit in the chair next to Rysden’s bed and wait for him to come back. It’s late, and I think I know what he’s busy doing. When he finally gets back, it’s late into the night. “How did the food drop go?” I ask softly.

“Good.” Rysden doesn’t even question the fact that I figured out what he was doing as he drops his fur on the bed. “I thought you’d be asleep.”

“I wanted to talk to you.”

He faces me fully. “That sounds ominous.”

“It is.” I stand to my feet and take my time walking over to him. I may sway a little more than necessary as I make my way over to him. Watching his eyes trail over my body, it’s worth it. When I stand close to him, his hooded eyes meet mine. “Thanks for the shirt.”

“Anytime,” he says in a low voice.

“You helped my village.” It’s silent after that, and I mentally kick myself.

I was going to get into it slowly, but that plan’s out the window.

He nods. All of a sudden, all the words I’d planned to say to him vanish; and I’m left with just two simple words.

“Thank you.” I wait a minute, and then it comes rushing out.

“Why didn’t you just tell me? Why did you let me believe you were the bad guy? ”

He shrugs. “I am the bad guy; I took you from your home.”

“Yeah, but you let me believe that you were going to hurt my mother and brother. You could have told me what you really did.”

“Would you have believed me?” That gives me pause.

“That’s why I didn’t tell you. I barely knew what I was doing.

All I knew was that I was pretty sure I’d found the red-haired girl my mom told me about that was going to be an important part of my destiny.

She failed to tell me that said girl would try to put an arrow in my heart multiple times, and that that same girl was my mate.

I don’t think she ever expected a corporal wolf, that we would be soul mates. ”

I shake my head. “That’s a lot.” I study his face in the light of the fire. “What are we doing here?”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I've been sleeping in your bed each night. That’s highly inappropriate.”

“Does it look like I’m the kind of guy who cares what’s appropriate or not?”

My eyes scan his body, carved in muscle. “Nope. But I just want things to be...” Words fail me.

“Appropriate?” he fills in with a smirk.

I shake my head at him. “I don’t know.” And I really don’t.

“Hey.” My eyes meet his. “What’s bothering you, Love?”

“I just want this to be real.”

He stares into my eyes with that intensity of his. “It’s real.”

“I know; I just—” My words trail off; I’m not even really sure what it is I’m trying to say.

He studies my face. “You want to make it official.”

I laugh softly. “I think you understand me more than I understand myself.”

He smiles. “Nah, you’re just really easy to read. Your emotions are always all over your face.”

I frown. “I need to work on that.”

“No, you’re perfect the way you are.”

“You’ve said that before,” I remind him.

“And I’ll continue to remind you of that fact,” he says pulling me close.

“Here in the Wolf Kingdom, when two people want to get married, they stand before the king. But we’d stand before Terron, and his gryphon would bind us together forever in a bond that can never be broken, because I’m a royal. ”

Like his parents. I don’t say it out loud; I don’t want to ruin the moment. I stare up at him, trying to get a read on him. I summon my courage and lay it all out there. “I want to do that Rysden, but if you’re not ready...” He laughs, surprising me and cutting me off. I frown. “What?”

He takes my hand in his. “I’ve been ready since you pointed your arrow at my heart the first time you met me.”

I roll my eyes. “We both know that’s not true.”

He tugs me close. “I don’t think you’re fully aware of how you’ve tipped my life upside down.”

I raise a brow. “I tipped your life upside down?”

He stares down at me with that intensity that’s all Rysden. “If you want me to apologize for bringing you here, I’m not going to do it. You’ve turned my life upside down in a good way. Nothing is the same.”

“I don’t know, Rysden; you’re kind of giving me a complex here.”

He doesn’t smile. “I thought my life was good how it was, all in shades of black. I knew what my duty was, what to expect. And then you came into my life.” His eyes flash to my hair.

“Literally, a splash of color and have opened my eyes to…everything. I’m no longer happy living my dull life; I want a life of color.

With you.” He reaches up and tugs on a curl.

“If you told me you wanted to leave here and go back to your village; I’d do it today.

I just want to be wherever you are and keep that beautiful smile on your face. ”

“Rysden, you can’t leave. You’re a prince.”

“I’m nobody if you’re not at my side.” His words knock the wind from my chest.

“You really mean that,” I breathe.

He nods. “I can learn how to farm.” I laugh. I don’t mean to. “How is that funny?”

I smile at his eyebrows knit together. “I think you’re suited for more than farming, Rysden. You’re a powerful prince, and you’re going to change the way this kingdom is run.” I wait for him to challenge me, but he doesn’t. “You’re not going to argue with me? I mean, usually, that’s your thing.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “Am I going to win?”

“Absolutely not.”

He smirks at me. “I’ve already started making plans to bring the banished back.”

My eyes go wide. “Seriously? Does your father know?”

“Am I still alive?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Then no, doesn’t know. And it’s got to stay that way for now.” His eyes meet mine. “But I will change things.”

“I know. You’re one of the good ones.”

“You’re the only one that thinks so,” he says softly.

“No, that’s not true. Everybody in this house knows you are.” He pulls me close and kisses me softly.

“As long as you do, that’s all I need.” He deepens the kiss, and I promptly forget what it was we were even talking about. He pulls back after he’s left me breathless. “We’d better get some sleep.”

I look at the bed and then back at him. “Should I sleep in my room?”

He doesn’t skip a beat. “No.”

“But,” I start.

“I already gave your room to your mom and brother anyway.”

I pause at that. “Oh.”

“So now, will you stay with me?” he asks.

I look at the bed and then back to him. “Well, it’s practical.”

“It’s very practical,” he repeats.

“We’re being hospitable.”

“We’re so hospitable,” he says in a sinfully low voice.

“Are you just going to keep repeating everything I say?”

“If it gets you in my bed? Yes.”

I laugh. “Okay. Fine. But no funny business, not until we make it official.”

“Is it too late tonight?” I don’t even bother answering. He sighs. “I’ll send word that we need to meet with Terron.”

A few minutes later, I’m on my side of the bed, staring up at the ceiling. “Something has been bothering me since the attack. Why didn’t anybody’s spirit animal show during the fight with the Black Clansmen?”

“There are magic wards around the castle. No magic can be used inside, and that includes the magic used for spirit animals to manifest.”

“Your father?” I ask, but I already know.

“Yes. He’s always been paranoid.”

“Isn’t that dangerous? Because like in the attack, nobody was able to summon their animal.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t matter to him. The guards are trained to defend without the use of their spirits animals.”

I think about his words, even as drowsiness starts to overtake me. “Do you think you would ever be able to not hate the banished for what they did to your brother?” I ask softly.

He’s quiet for so long, I wonder if he’s fallen asleep. “I want to, if for no other reason, than for you. But I just don’t know.”

“Thanks for at least being willing to think about it.”

_____________

The next few days seem to drag. Rysden sent word to Terron immediately, but we haven’t heard from him.

I feel like we’re all on edge, waiting for what happens next.

The only good thing is that I get lots of time to catch up with my mother and brother and time too for Rysden to train me on pulling from Solace’s abilities when he’s available to help me.

He hasn’t been able to as much as he wants to.

His father’s been keeping him extra busy, and that worries me.

I don’t trust the king at all and feel like he’s got something up his sleeve.

Those who didn’t produce a spirit animal at the trials have been officially banished, and I hate it.

I vow to help Rysden make changes. Harper and Kinsley have been on edge waiting for Kaldar to come for them.

I know they’re both nervous, but they’re trying to stay positive.

I’m sad to be losing my friends but trying not to think about it.

I head downstairs, determined. I can't take one more moment behind these walls. I figure I’ll get out early while everybody else is still asleep. I throw a fur over my shoulders and open the front door.

“Where are you going?”

I turn around and eye Jamik warily. “I’m just heading out to the markets for a little bit.”

He frowns. “Does my brother know?”

“I’m not a prisoner here,” I snap and immediately regret it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I’m just tired of being inside.”

“I get it,” he says quietly.

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Good.”

“I’ll go with you,” Lox says, entering the room.

I pause a moment before I shrug. “Okay.”

We head outside towards the barn. I shiver in the morning chill but don’t regret my actions.

I really do need to get out. Before I go into the barn, I walk around behind the barn to check on my favorite wolves.

Two heads are already up and watching me.

“Sorry,” I say softly. “I was trying to be quiet.”

Obviously, not quiet enough, Solace snaps at me through our bond.

I ignore my cranky wolf and glance down at Shade. “Why aren’t you with Rysden?” He just stares at me.

Because he’s with me.

I sigh and take a step back. “I’ll check on you later.” I walk around to the front of the stables and shake my head.

“Problem?” Lox asks.

I take the reins of my horse from him and mount up. “Thanks. I don’t know. Solace has just been so snippy with me.” I shrug. “I don’t know if I did something to offend her, but she is not happy with me.” I turn to look at him over my shoulder. “And why isn’t Shade with Rysden?”

“Shade’s with her?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah, which is weird. He always goes with Rysden.”

“She’s probably pregnant.”

I pull on my horse’s reins and spin around. “What?”

He shrugs. “That’s what I would guess. Female wolves get feisty and moody when pregnant, and the males get protective.”

I take in his words. Are you pregnant? I send to Solace through our bond.

Do you think my belly is this large for fun?

I smirk. I haven’t even noticed her growing belly, so it can’t really be that big. Congratulations, I send back. She doesn’t respond, but I don’t care. I can’t stop smiling.