Page 147 of Trials of Dusk and Dreams
Not fuck-us.
Focus, Willow.Focus. This is serious. I fan my face.
“This ends now.” Bodin’s growl takes on an inhuman quality that sends shivers down my spine. “We take out Puck.”
Legion holds up a hand, his expression grim. “It’s not that simple. The signal’s been sent. All of Avorlorna knows. The fort stadium is filling, and the magical timeline has been triggered. You know as well as I do once it starts; it can’t be stopped until the final trial is complete—or time runs out.”
Bodin begins to pace, his movements fluid and predatory. The floorboards creak ominously beneath his feet, and the weapons tremble on the walls. He shoots rapid-fire alternatives, each cut down by Legion’s calm logic.
As they argue, my mind races. The trials. Emrys. My friends. Fox. The heat still simmers beneath my skin, demanding attention. It’s all too much, yet I know I must face it head-on.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself.
“Geraldine and Max?” I ask, my voice more assertive than I feel. “The final leg of the pilgrimage went okay?”
“Well enough.” Legion’s eyes soften almost imperceptibly on me. “Cricket is rousing them. They will eat and prepare in their quarters. Prepare and meet us in the upper-level dining room. We will have sustenance ready for you. A little over one turn of the hourglass remains before you present yourself at the fort.”
I nod, throwing off the sheet the moment he leaves.
I wash and dress quickly, but my skin burns with residual heat. My thoughts keep derailing to places they shouldn’t go.Bodin paces the room like a caged beast, his muscular form taut with tension. He rattles off information he thinks will aid me in the trials, his deep voice a constant rumble in the background.
“Remember, the first trial is always about facing your fears. Don’t let their illusions trick you,” he says, then abruptly stops, growling, “I’m going to tear Emrys apart for this.” His eyes flash dangerously before he resumes his lecture.
After securing my belt and fitting my sword, I flick my silver hair out of the way and stop his ramblings with another kiss. The tactic seems to work quite well.
“I won’t retain this information,” I murmur against his mouth. “There’s no point wearing yourself out. If I don’t know by now, I don’t know.”
He pulls back, his brow furrowed. “You’re underprepared.”
“So is everyone else.”
Bodin grips my hips hard enough to hurt. “You could forfeit. You could withdraw from the trials.”
“Is Peggy even officially out yet?” I meet his gaze. “We could also win, right? And then I can bring Fox back earlier than planned. We can all be together.”
As long as we remain alive.
Having clothes on now is stifling, trapping my heat. But at least I don’t feel so unsatisfied. I fan my face to cool down. His nostrils flare, picking up my scent.
“Fox wouldn’t want you to go in like this,” he grumbles.
“I can’t not turn up because I smell like a sex-meal. There will be consequences, surely.”
His flash of annoyance means I’m right. He doesn’t elaborate; he just moves on to the next idea. “Cait could still find the mirror.”
“Do we want to take that risk?”
Then he hits me in the heart. “What about your parents? You said you wanted to talk to them. We can activate your portal stone and go.”
“You bastard.” I take a deep, shuddering breath. “I can’t—not before the trials. It will feel like I’m saying goodbye.”
“Willow,” he sighs, gathering me into his arms. “I just want you to be sure.”
His question is loaded with more meaning. I search his eyes and see the anguish and fear. His identity revolves around his need to protect, and he can’t be with me during the trials.
“I will have my team with me—we have each other.” I pat his shoulder. “Come on, I’m starving. This wolf can’t start slaying without food in her belly.”
Chapter 60
