5. Everly
Everly
Chapter five
Idecide to stay where I am, but manage to stumble my way over to a fallen tree at the edge of the meadow. My skin crawls with unease as I stare up at the tall trees beyond it, the sound of the wind rustling their branches echoing my earlier experience. My imagination runs wild with the thought of what could be hiding in the branches, my mind conjuring up all sorts of images for me to spend the night stressing about.
My gaze sweeps around the meadow, taking in the way the long, tall grass sways and dances in the breeze. Looks like I’ll be taking my chances sleeping out in the open tonight. But I’m not going to put myself in a situation where I can be cornered. I slump down against the fallen tree, hugging my pack to my chest. A headache teases at my temples, but I push it away by sheer will, and instead focus on the smell of the nearby wildflowers. I let my eyes drift shut as I inhale their sweet aroma, letting it soothe my senses enough for me to drift off to sleep. The gentle buzzing of the crickets is all that can be heard over the pleasant sway of the trees. It never would have crossed my mind that there would be crickets in Faerie. That was my last thought as I succumb to sleep, the weight of exhaustion pulling me under.
My eyes snap open as I jolt awake with no explanation. A sharp tingling sensation runs down my spine and the hairs on my neck stand on end, signaling a presence nearby. The tension in my body increases as I make an effort to pinpoint the source of my unease.
It better not be that red-eyed beast again.
I peer into the darkness, my eyes struggle to distinguish anything in the empty field before me. Slowly, I turn to my left where the forest begins, but the moonlight casts eerie shadows among the gnarled tree trunks, adding to the sense of foreboding.
I do my best to relax my breathing, and that's when I realize the air has become still. Even the crickets have stopped making noise. There isn’t a single sound in the night. It’s as if the forest itself is holding its breath.
I quickly stand up, bracing myself in case I need to run. I won’t make it far in the dark, not without falling on my face, but I will not sit around and let myself be eaten either.
Nix’s words float through my head; You’ll be eaten alive here.
Without making a sound, I focus all my attention on the space around me. I become aware of a small disturbance in the air behind me, prompting me to spin around, my pulse thundering in my ears.
Standing on the fallen tree I have been leaning on is the shadowy figure of a man.
How did he get so close without me hearing?
“What do we have here?” he says in a language I don’t know, but somehow understand perfectly.
“She’s pretty.” Another voice from my left, and immediately my eyes snap in that direction.
There are two of them.
The man standing on the weathered log leaps down, effortlessly landing before me without making a sound. Reflexively, I retreat a few paces, my eyes frantically darting back and forth between the two figures. The darkness obscures their features, yet their dangerous aura is unmistakable. Taking two more cautious steps backward, my body tenses as I unexpectedly collide with another person.
With a sharp intake of breath, I swiftly pivot my body to confront the unexpected intruder, feeling the rush of adrenaline through my veins.
Violet eyes stare down at me, sparkling mischievously. “Where are you going?” he asks, reaching for my face.
I back away, my heart pounding in my chest and a sick feeling twisting my stomach. The odds are definitely not in my favor. While I have some knowledge of self-defense, I doubt it would be enough to overcome three men. But that doesn’t mean I won’t fight back.
One of them lights a flame, illuminating the area, casting light all around. I turn to face all three men, my eyes darting between them. With the torch now lit, I can finally see their faces. Each is strikingly handsome, their features chiseled and defined, and their eyes varying shades of purple. The one nearest to me flashes a smile, but it’s far from friendly. It is cruel and wicked.
My stomach knots, my fingers trembling with my fight or flight response pushing me to react.
The one closest to me turns his head to peer back at the other two, and I catch sight of his ears, their pointed tips standing out.
What are they?
I force down my fear, which is swirling inside of me like a tornado.
“What a treat to come across,” snickers the one I bumped into.
Again, that odd language.
“How did you get here, and all alone?”
“Lonely women are so much fun.”
The one closest to me lunges forward, his hand stretching out to reach for my arm. The moment his cool fingers make contact with my skin, a surge of heat engulfs me, and I can feel the heat of his desire like a knife slicing through my skull. Instinctively, I scramble backward, desperately trying to put some distance between us. In my rush, I lose track of the others, and accidentally bump into someone. Swiftly, a sets of arms wrap around me, their tight hold causing a surge of fear.
A primal scream escapes my lips as I forcefully throw my head back, connecting with his nose. The nauseating crunch echoes in my ears, followed by his pained grunt. I feel a sickening sense of satisfaction as he releases his grip, allowing my feet to touch solid ground. Without hesitation, I break into a sprint, my heart pounding in my chest.
Fingertips graze my back, sending shivers down my spine. I clamp my throat shut, fighting to suppress the scream threatening to escape.
I hear one of them angrily cursing, accompanied by the two others cackling with amusement, as if I have somehow made this a game for them. Their hollers echo through the air as they run after me. Adrenaline pushes me harder and faster than ever before. I’m in the middle of the clearing when one of the men cries out in pain. I glance back and feel a wave of relief as I realize they have stopped chasing me. My eyes have adjusted well enough that I can make out their forms in the distance. I stop running and drop into a crouch, hiding in the long grass. The gentle breeze dances around me, caressing my skin with its soft touch, almost reassuringly, as if wanting to soothe away any worries or troubles that may be weighing on my shoulders.
Taking slow, deliberate breaths, I carefully watch from my crouched position, feeling the dampness of the grass beneath my fingertips.
What are they doing? What happened to the third one?
Both men are alert, their attention on the treeline, their eyes scanning for any movement. A piercing, high-pitched whizzing sound shatters the silence, causing my hands to instinctively fly to my mouth. My heart slams against my chest, and I gasp, witnessing one of the men crumple to the ground. My eyes lock onto something protruding from his neck, a chilling sight that sends shivers down my spine. Meanwhile, the remaining man swiftly crouches down in the grass, disappearing from my view. My heart pounds relentlessly as my eyes frantically scan the dense treeline, desperately searching for the unseen assailant responsible.
Seemingly materializing out of thin air, a colossal and obscured shadow emerges from the dense foliage. The very ground trembles beneath me as I witness the figure hurtling toward the exact spot where the previous man was crouched. My jaw drops in utter disbelief as the figure deftly retrieves a gleaming sword from their back, while the thunderous hooves of their massive stallion pound against the earth with an unimaginable speed. The last man attempts to rise, raising his hands in surrender, but the figure shows no mercy, swiftly beheading him with a single fluid motion of the sword.
Falling backward, I gasp and scramble to my feet, my stomach left somewhere on the ground. In a state of shock and panic, I run. I don’t know if he realizes I’m here, but I need to get to the trees NOW.
The sound of hooves pound in my ear as I sprint for the trees. I don’t stop running or risk a chance to look behind me. I can feel the vibrations of the ground reverberating up through my feet. Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpse a shape next to me as a figure leans down, an arm reaching out. A loud shriek of surprise escapes me right before I feel myself being lifted off the ground. For a moment, I'm suspended in the air, then I find myself seated on a massive black horse. I’m held tight as two powerful arms encircle me, taking the reins. I take several breaths, my chest tight as fear sets in. My mind scrambles, but before I can pull a single coherent thought into my head, a voice whispers in my ear, in a deep gruff voice.
“Are you alright?”
A tremor runs through me at the words and the way my heart flutters when he speaks. When I don’t answer, one of his arms wraps around my waist, pulling me tight against his warm, hard body. I swallow in surprise as my hands grab a handful of thick, black mane.
“Are you hurt, Stóirín?” he asks again.
I don’t know what that means, what he called me, but my chest warms instantly. I feel my throat tighten as I nervously whisper, “No.”
“Hold on,” he says, covering my body with his as he rubs the horse’s neck and whispers something I don’t quite catch.
My heart races, and I clench my hands around the horse’s mane as it gathers speed. The wind whips my hair across my face, stinging my eyes with its chill. The horse’s huge powerful hooves hammer the ground beneath us, as the stranger veers the horse to the right, heading for the mountains I spotted in the distance yesterday.
My body becomes more and more relaxed as the horse slows to a trot, the gentle movements making my eyes drift closed. My head nods forward, and I jerk back, only to feel my eyelids growing heavy again. I’ve never been so physically exhausted before; my body has been completely drained of energy. The arm around my waist moves up higher, banding under my breasts to keep me anchored to the solid body behind me, preventing me from falling. Even though I should be scared, his energy doesn’t elicit the same sense of danger as the others.
“We’re here,” his deep smooth voice says softly.
I slowly open my eyes and am almost blinded by the bright lights lining the stone wall of the castle gatehouse. My eyes grow wide as I take in the impenetrable structure before us. We pass through the large wooden gates into an open courtyard. I try to twist in the saddle, but the arm around me is like a steel band securing my body.
“Easy. Don't want you hurting yourself.”
“I’m fine,” I reply, my voice husky from sleep.
The man releases his grip on me, his hands now firmly on the reins, guiding the horse. The rhythmic clopping of the horse’s hooves fills the air as we near the majestic stone castle. I rub my eyes, trying to dispel the lingering haze of sleep and confirm that it wasn’t just a dream. Despite my doubts, the castle remains right in front of me. A wave of shock and awe washes over me, as glittering torches flicker to life, the flames lighting the area in a soft, warm glow.
“Whoa!” I take in a sharp breath.
The man behind me lets out a deep, resonant chuckle that makes butterflies flutter in my stomach. Geez, get a grip Everly. This man just killed three men in the forest. Granted, it was to save you from something extremely unpleasant.
An impressive staircase looms before us, guarded by several stoic figures. The man tugs gently on the reins, and the horse obediently stops at the foot of the stairs. Without pause, he swings down, his feet hitting the ground with a thud. Nervously, I fidget on the saddle, feeling the leather beneath my fingertips. I can sense the weight of his gaze, but fear keeps me from meeting his eyes. I take a moment to steady myself before I turn toward him, my stomach in knots. My breath hitches as our eyes meet. He is gorgeous, like, totally mouth-watering gorgeous.
His deep chocolate brown hair falls in cascading waves, reaching past his shoulders. Parts have been braided in sections and gold jewels clipped in. A soft gust of wind ruffles the free hair, making it move in the breeze, its tips brushing lightly against his skin. His beautiful eyes hold me captive, the deepest violet eyes set off by a ring of silver and framed by the thickest eyelashes. My eyes travel over his face, taking in the tattoo of intertwining vines around his left eye, near his temple. His jawline is sharp, and his lips appear soft and full. I'm speechless, unable to form any words or coherent thoughts. Quietly, he stands before me, hands outstretched, patiently waiting to guide me down from the horse. I’m completely transfixed as a smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth.
“Stóirín, are you coming?”
I jump in surprise and instinctively blink multiple times, coming out of my stupor.
“What is your name?” I blurt, and then remember Nix’s words.
Oops . . .
He grins at me, the dimples on his cheeks giving him an extra bit of charm. “Maxon. My name is Maxon. And I will not hurt you. You have my word.” He raises his fist, resting it over his heart.
I’m overcome with a feeling of calm the longer I stare into his eyes, and I can smell his sweet scent of leather and cedarwood, which somehow reassures me everything will be okay. The scent is both earthy and masculine, and makes me think of intimate nights in, reclining on the love seat, lights off, candles on . . .
My cheeks flush with warmth, and I give a small nod, lowering my head. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I allow him to effortlessly lift me off the towering horse. Maxon’s hands, warm and comforting, encircle my waist as he guides me down, carefully settling me onto my feet. My hands trail down his arms, feeling the strength of his muscles under his shirt, before finally resting on his forearms. We remain like this for a prolonged moment, completely captivated by each other’s gaze, until a throat clears nearby. I swiftly withdraw my hands from his arms and take a step back, causing Maxon’s hands to release their hold on my waist. Unintentionally, I bump into the horse, and it lets out a soft snort, almost as if it’s amused. Embarrassment floods my cheeks, causing them to heat up once again.
“Sorry,” I whisper, turning and gently rubbing its neck.
Maxon steps up behind me, the heat from his body seeping into my back, as his arm reaches around me to stroke the horse’s head. “His name is Storm.”
I turn my head and peer up at Maxon, my breath catching in my throat at his proximity.
“Sir, the queen would like to see you right away.”
Maxon doesn’t take his eyes from mine. “Tell her I’m on my way.”
I hold my breath as he lifts his hand toward my face, gingerly running his fingers through my hair, pushing some of it behind my ear.
“What’s your name?” he murmurs, eyes locked onto mine.
“Everly,” I whisper.
“Everly,” he repeats softly, the sound lingering in the air. His voice has a unique and curious undertone, with both elements blending together around me, giving his words a distinctively different quality, one of affection.
Taking a step back, he turns, giving the other man a nod before moving up the stairs, leaving me behind. Anxiety washes over me as I glance around, unsure of what I was suppose to do.
“Miss, if you’ll follow me, I will take you to your chambers.”
I jerk my head toward the voice of a young woman who is now standing beside me.
“Where’d you come from?” I choke out, rubbing a hand over my chest in surprise.
The woman gives me a warm, gentle smile. It’s hard to tell in this lighting, but her eyes seem to be a soft brown. Her curly hair is a chestnut color, the masses pulled back into a ponytail, with parts framing her face. Tilting my head to the side, I squint, uncertain of whether my eyes are playing tricks on me.
Are those cat ears poking out from her hair?
“Follow me,” Her voice is low and sweet as she turns for the stairs.
Quietly, I fall into step behind her, my gaze moving from her head down her body and I gasp in surprise.
“You– you have a tail!” The words are out before I can stop them. I cover my mouth, my eyes growing wide. “Shit, that was rude.”
Oh, gosh, I feel sick. I am not making very good first impressions.
The young woman glances over her shoulder at me and simply smiles, her long, brown spotted tail whipping back and forth. “That I do.”
My shoulders slump with shame and exhaustion. I need sleep, food and a shower. In any order, I’m not picky.