9. Everly
Everly
Chapter nine
I’m guided through the corridors and up several flights of stairs to a separate wing of the castle. My eyes take in all the details around me from the high ceilings to the intricate details of the wooden banisters, and the cracks and imperfections in some of the smooth stonework. Every detail tells a story, a whispered secret I wish I knew.
Maxon pushes open a set of large wooden doors carved with golden vines similar to the markings on his face, and at his touch the carvings glimmer. My footsteps slow, my mouth dropping open in awe. We enter the room behind him, and the heavy doors close with a resounding thud. I notice a faint shimmer emanating from them, and as I do, a tingling sensation travels over my skin, causing me to instinctively rub my arms.
“What was that?” I ask, looking around the room.
“Magic,” Zaria answers.
“My rooms are warded,” Maxon adds.
It’s like what I experienced before in the forest as I stepped through the gate. It’s a familiar sensation. The others gather in the sitting area, their footsteps echoing softly in the room. Two additional doors on the opposite side beckon me to explore. A sudden urge to satisfy my curiosity consumes me. It’s a weakness of mine, always drawn to places I shouldn’t be. However, never did I expect it would lead me to another realm. A soft chuckle escapes my lips, and I see Zaria’s ears twitching as she shifts her gaze toward me.
I clear my throat, looking around at the group before me. “Why does the queen think a high fae brought me here?”
Maxon strides over to the double glass window, unlatching it and allowing the wind to blow in, causing the sheer curtains to sway gently in the breeze. I immediately feel a sense of calmness as the breeze wraps around me.
“In order to enter Faerie, a human must either be invited or possess their own magical capabilities to open the gates. Those on the other side aren't strong enough to open the gates alone. Only a handful possess the required magic to do so.”
I blink and throw my hands in the air with exasperation. “Well, I didn’t have anyone bring me here, and I’m not magic, so what else you got?”
Raiden, with his muscular physique, folds his massive arms over his chest and huffs out a disbelieving chuckle, the sound dripping with mockery, causing irritation to seep into my bones.
“It’s the truth!” I snap.
“Well, if what you say is true, and no one invited you here, then we can only assume you hold some type of magic,” Zaria argues.
“Doubt it,” I mutter, plonking down on one of the velvet sofas.
“Could be you’ve just never noticed.” Zaria shrugs.
Nix flutters closer. “When I found you, was that when you first arrived here?”
I nod my head, remembering her anger at me.
“I had been walking with some friends, then suddenly they were gone, or I was.”
Nix studies me for a long moment before she speaks. “She smells and looks human. Maybe one of her friends sent her through the gate,” she offers, turning to the others.
My mouth drops open. “No. No, no, my friends had nothing to do with this.”
No way Mia or Scarlett would send me to Faerie on my own. I’ve been friends with both of them since college. We have been by each other’s sides for close to five years. We were housemates for three years, and the bond we formed still stands strong.
“Some people are good at hiding who they really are,” Raiden counters.
The insinuation is clear, making anger flare in my chest. I bite the inside of my cheek and shoot him a glare, but the swirling depths of those silver eyes give me pause. He is assessing me.
“Well, until we figure it out, you are under my protection. I will have you moved here, to my chambers,” Maxon declares.
Stay here with him? No way!
My head whips around to him, my hair getting in my face as I send a scowl in his direction. “No, I’m not staying here.”
Maxon clenches his jaw as he stalks toward me. “This is non-negotiable.”
“Well, I say it is,” I snap, standing up so I can face him on somewhat level ground. I spent my whole life being bullied and pushed around in foster care. I am not going to give in so easily.
“Everly.” My name comes out in a low growl, sending a shiver down my spine, but not in fear.
I straighten my shoulders, lifting my chin in defiance. “No.”
The tension between us grows as we stare at each other, neither relenting.
“She can’t stay here. The court would have a fit.” Raiden’s voice is low and filled with disapproval as he looks at Maxon with a heavy frown.
Maxon grumbles under his breath, pressing his thumb and forefinger against his forehead, as if trying to stave off a throbbing headache.
Me, too, buddy.
“The timing of her arrival is suspicious. I don’t trust her,” Raiden adds.
Shock rolls through me, making my stomach dip. I can’t believe him. “Well, I don’t trust you either!”
“Humans are nothing but trouble,” Raiden counters.
“Enough,” Maxon breathes, stepping between us.
Raiden grumbles under his breath, and I can’t help but poke my tongue out. Immature, I know, but he is pissing me off.
“Speaking of courts. Where am I?” I ask, looking up at Maxon.
He unfastens his sword, dropping it down on the table, and I watch as he rolls up the sleeves of his black tunic. When his eyes meet mine, I feel a sudden flutter in my chest as his intense stare holds me captive.
“You are in Skora. At the Castle Vesner,” he answers roughly.
“Okay, that means nothing to me.”
“You are in the Autumn Court,” Nix explains, her tiny feet landing on the arm of the chair.
“The Unseelie Court,” Raiden adds, crossing his arms. “This here is the crown prince, and I’m his personal guard. Zaria here works for me, keeping tabs on the staff.”
“Personal guard? And here I thought we had been best friends since we were boys,” Maxon says, smirking at his friend.
Raiden’s wings flare outward slightly as he chuckles. “Yes, but my duty comes first. Your protection comes first.”
“Good to know,” Maxon replies, clearly amused.
“Only one guard?” I question.
Raiden’s eyes quickly meet mine, but Maxon answers before he can. “I don’t need a guard. I just keep him around for my amusement.”
Raiden scoffs.
Nix grins wickedly, her eyes glinting with excitement. “You should witness the prince in action. No one would dare lay a finger on him.”
Raiden stares at me, a serious expression crossing his face once more. I feel like his silver eyes are searching, trying to uncover my secrets. It makes me antsy and on edge. He is making me feel guilty for something I haven’t even done.
“I don’t know why I’m here, or how I got here, okay? So, stop looking at me like that.”
Raiden grunts and turns his back on me to say something to Zaria. My eyes trace over the edges of his wings. They look so much like bat wings. I wonder if he can actually fly, if they’d hold his massive weight . . .
“Don’t worry about him. He’s just being cautious.” Maxon approaches me.
My pulse jumps as he draws nearer, and I rest my hand on my chest.
“Can you really stop the queen from throwing me in the dungeons?” I ask.
Maxon’s eyes harden, his jaw tensing. “You won’t be going to the dungeons.”
My mind flickers back to the unseelie part of the conversation, and I can’t shake the dizzying sensation. Am I with the bad Fae? Unseelie is bad, right?
I stare at Maxon, the crown prince. He doesn’t seem all that bad. I look at the others. None of them do. But looks can be deceiving. I don’t know any of them, so who am I to say if they are good or bad? My internal monologue berates me for my lack of knowledge, causing me to feel even more incompetent.
“What do you mean by Seelie and Unseelie?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
“The Fae realm is divided into two main courts. Seelie, who reign over the vibrant Summer and Spring courts. Then there is us. The Unseelie who hold their power within the Autumn and Winter courts. You know, amidst the crackling of frozen twigs and the howling of winter winds,” Nix sharp teeth show as she grins.
Clearly, she’s waiting for my reaction. I roll my eyes and gesture out the open doors to the garden.
“It doesn’t look that bad. The forest was filled with wildflowers.”
“Yes, I noticed that,” Raiden hums. “We rarely get flowers, our foliage more wavering between green, browns, and oranges.”
“Skora is in the heart of the Autumn court,” Maxon explains.
Tucking some hair behind my ear, I bite my bottom lip in contemplation.
“Just ask,” Zaria chuckles.
I peek over at her and ask. “Aren’t Unseelie bad?”
Nix guffaws, and Zaria presses her lips together to hold in her smile. I peer at Raiden, and he appears confused, while Maxon rubs his chin with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Oh, we can be bad,” he replies, his voice teasing.
Oh my god, that look has my stomach dipping violently. He is pure temptation, all wrapped up in sexy. Put a bow on him, and I’d unwrap him in a second.
I shake my head, trying to rid myself of these thoughts before I turn bright red. Zaria clears her throat and Maxon blinks, running a hand through his hair, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Everly, there is no black and white when it comes to the morality of the Fae. Self-interest always guides our decisions. Unseelie is no more good or bad than Seelie. But in saying that, the Seelie high fae will trick you into your own destruction if given the chance,” Maxon says.
“The high fae have the beauty of angels, but the hearts of demons. The Seelie more so, as they think they are set way above the rest of us.” Zaria's response is nonchalant, her gaze moving to Maxon. “No offense, Your Highness.”
Maxon smirks, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he tilts his head and shrugs. “None taken.”
“Good to know,” I reply, looking at each of them in turn.
I hear the flutter of wings and turn to see Nix landing on the chair next to me. Her large sapphire eyes that are shaped like innocent orbs, transform into slits of anger as she focuses her full attention on me.
“What I want to know is why did you leave the tree?”
The sudden change in topic catches me off guard and leaves me speechless.
“Well?” she demands.
I blink, taking a small step back from the full force of her fury. Honestly, she is terrifying for something so small and cute.
“I heard the sound of water. You may recall me telling you I needed water. You told me there wasn’t any close,” I reply, giving her a pointed look.
“There isn’t,” she says, her face scrunching in confusion.
I blink. “Wait, what?”
“There isn’t a stream near the tree. The closest stream is a half day’s walk.”
“But I saw a stream. I washed up and filled my water bottle.”
The room was suddenly filled with an eerie silence, leaving an unsettling stillness in the air.
“Are you sure?” Nix whispers.
“Yes.”
Nix bobs her head, looking over at the others before returning her gaze to me. “Why didn’t you return to the tree?”
The question has a shiver running up my spine, making me wrap my arms around my waist in an attempt to feel secure. I sense Maxon move closer to me, as if sensing my unease, and his touch on my shoulder immediately calms my anxiety. As I look up at him, I notice the warmth in his eyes and the gentle curve of his smile.
“What did you see?” he asks softly, almost coaxing me to speak.
A weak laugh escapes my lips. “I don’t know. It was a horrible creature; one I hope to never see again. It wanted to hurt me. Its intentions were as clear to me as if they were my own.” I pause, thinking. I sensed the intention of the Fae in the fields, too. Have I always been able to do that? Is it only bad intentions I can pick up on?
Maxon’s gentle touch on my arm brings me back to reality, and I continue.
“I just ran and didn’t stop. But I think something stopped it when I crossed the stream. I heard its screams, but I didn’t dare look back. After a while, I finally reached the grassy field where you found me.”
“What did this creature look like?” Raiden inquires.
I flick my gaze to his, and I’m momentarily mesmerized by the swirling silver depths. “A giant ass human spider, only with two arms and two legs. Its skin was gray and it had a deformed head. Milky eyes that were sunken in, gaunt looking, and fast—so fast. It was creepy. I could go a lifetime without seeing that again.” I shudder.
“A deadling . . .”, Zaria gasps. “They haven’t been seen in–”
“Centuries,” Raiden finishes, his gaze narrowing on me.
Zaria steps forward, basically pushing Maxon out of her way as she grabs my hands. “How did you outrun it?”
I shrug, giving her a weak smile. “I listened to my gut and ran for the stream. Once I crossed it, I was safe.”
Zaria frowns, then shakes her head. “Well, I’m glad you’re okay and you got away. Deadlings don’t usually come to the surface.”
At my look of confusion, she gives me a wary smile. “They don’t come topside. They dwell underground in caves and tunnels. The fact you encountered one is more than a little unnerving.”
“You showing up a week before Maxon is due to take the throne is even more unnerving.” Raiden eyes me again. “The flowers and the deadlings coming out of hibernation, that’s disturbing.”
Zaria steps back, giving me some space, and I shoot her a grateful look. I have had a lot of information thrown at me today, and I’m not sure I fully understand any of it. I stretch my neck to the side, feeling the tightness in my shoulders and neck. My body is still recovering from the day before. I have never had to run for my life twice in one day, or ride a horse. Now I’m suffering the lingering effects.
“Well, I have no answers for you.” I roll my shoulders and peer at Zaria. “I could really use that shower now,” I say, smiling at her.
I need to get away from Maxon’s and Raiden’s penetrating stares. Their gazes are suffocating, making me feel trapped and exposed. Maxon’s eyes are filled with a relentless curiosity, his mind seemingly racing with questions he wants to ask. It’s as if he wishes to unravel every secret I hold, leaving me feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable in his presence. On the other hand, Raiden’s is piercing and hostile, as if he sees right through me, finding me guilty of some unknown offense. His accusatory stare makes me feel on edge, constantly questioning my every move and motive.
“Of course,” Zaria replies.
Maxon steps in front of me as I go to follow Zaria. “I promise you will be safe here. You won’t end up in the dungeons.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Raiden's head turn sharply toward us and Zaria’s hands flying to cover her mouth. The subtle change in the air is confusing. Then I remember that Fae do not make promises. They are bound by their word.
“Maxon!” Raiden hisses.
Maxon ignores them, his eyes burning into mine. “What is it about you that has me so unguarded?” His head tilts as he studies me, but I don’t know what to say. I’ve never had so much attention focused on me before. I like to stay hidden in the background.
My head tips back as Maxon takes another step closer, our bodies less than a foot apart. His violet eyes seem to penetrate my soul, leaving me feeling exposed.
“Why am I drawn to you?”
My heart skids to a stop at his softly spoken words. He feels it, too. The strange impulse, the instant chemistry.
Maxon’s hand lifts slowly, his fingers ever so lightly brushing against my cheek and trailing down my neck, sending a tremor through me. I hold my breath, my heart beating wildly in my chest at his intense proximity. Maxon’s fingertips lightly graze the back of my neck, sending a wave of warmth through me with each press of his fingers. I can see he is just as transfixed by me as I am with him. His eyes travel to my lips, and my stomach feels like it’s doing somersaults. Desire burns hot in his gaze as it rises back to mine, and my body sways closer to him.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Raiden growls, stalking toward us.
I blink as Maxon drops his hand, my body swaying on my feet. Raiden slaps a heavy hand on Maxon’s shoulder and turns him away. Shaking my head, I let out a long breath.
What is happening?
I feel Zaria’s hand on my arm, a intense heat radiating from her palm as she pulls me toward the windows.
“Girl, you need to be careful.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Zaria’s stare lingers, making me shift uncomfortably.
“Is it hot in here?” I ask, pushing my sleeves up and fanning my face with my hand.
Zaria’s eyes widen, and she moves to block me from the rest of the room.
“What’s that?” she whispers harshly, looking at my arm.
I frown, glancing down. “What?”
Grabbing my wrist, she holds my arm out in front of me, her fingers running over my birthmark on the inside of my forearm. She glances over her shoulder to where Maxon and Raiden were conversing in low voices on the far side of the room.
Then she quickly tugs down my sleeve, her lips brushing against my ear as she whispers softly. “Show nobody this.”
I jerk back, my eyes meeting hers. “What? Why?”
My birthmark is odd, I agree, but it’s just a skin discoloration. I always thought it looks like a unique combination of a sun and moon, together in a winding pattern of vines. But that was just my imagination. Like when you make out shapes in the clouds. It’s also a pale white color, unlike the deeper pigments of most. Unless you are looking closely, it’s hard to make out against my pale skin.
“Not now. Please tell me you won’t say a word. It’s important, if the wrong person sees this, it could be very dangerous for you.”
I stare at Zaria for a long moment, my mind filtering through the implications. Can the others not be trusted? Nix is watching us closely from the sofa still. Unease slithers down my spine and I nod, trepidation making my pulse pick up. The prince’s gaze snaps to mine as if hearing my heart speed up. He frowns at me in question, but I look away.
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Raiden asks, sauntering toward us.
“I could ask you the same thing,” I reply, crossing my arms, the birthmark now feeling like a burn under my shirt.
“I need to go and talk to my aunt,” Maxon says, making his way over. “Zaria will take you back to your room.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
Zaria links her arm with mine and smiles. “Don’t worry, she is in good hands.”