10. Everly
Everly
Chapter ten
Back in my room, Zaria goes straight to the bathroom, and the sound of running water fills the air along with a soft, sweet, flowery scent. Nix flitters over to the cart of food and starts picking through the mass amounts of fruit.
“These are so good.” She hums, biting into a blueberry. “Want some?”
I give her a small smile. “I’m okay.”
Nix narrows her eyes and then shrugs, taking a bite from a grape.
Zaria returns, her eyes scanning the room. “Bath won’t take long.”
“I can’t wait.” Just thinking about a bath, I can almost feel the warm water caressing my skin and the gentle tickle of bubbles.
Zaria reaches up and pulls her chestnut curls back, twisting them into a knot on top of her head.
“Oh, wow!” I exclaim, walking closer and examining her hair.
“What?” Zaria asks, frowning in confusion as she retreats a few paces.
“You don’t have ears!” I blurt.
Zaria rears her head back, her nostrils flaring as her eyes dart over to Nix. Following her gaze, and my eyes land on Nix, who simply sits cross legged on the food cart.
“I have ears,” Zaria corrects, twitching the massive cat ears on her head.
“Yes, but not like everyone else.”
“Well, no. When I got stuck in this form, my fae ears disappeared.”
“I like your ears. They’re cute,” I reply.
Zaria's cat-like eyes blink at me, and I can’t help but notice the pink flush that spreads across her tanned skin.
“Uhh . . . thanks.”
I giggle at her skepticism, feeling a lot more relaxed now that we’re back in my room and away from Maxon and Raiden's probing stares.
“What type of shifter are you?”
Zaria smiles softly. “You have a lot of questions, don’t you?”
“Considering I’m in a completely different world, yeah.”
“I’m a leopard.”
“Can I ask how you got stuck in a half shift?”
When Zaria's face falls, sending a pang of guilt through my chest. “I’m sorry. I’m being nosey. You don’t have to tell me.”
Zaria's warm hand clasps mine, leading me to the sitting area where we settle on a comfortable sofa. Her gaze drifts toward the open window, her eyes fixed on the world beyond as she loses herself in contemplation. In the silence, it’s easier to note that the air holds a faint scent of rain, hinting at an impending storm. I remain still, patiently waiting for her thoughts to find their voice.
“Most shifters don’t shift until their sixteenth birthday. It’s a huge celebration. We all gather, and the whole family is there to help guide and protect the process.” She pauses, her eyes dropping to her lap where she twists her fingers. “It was supposed to be fun.”
I stretch out my arm and gently cover her hand with mine. With a blink, she gazes up at me.
“When I was thirteen, I wandered too far from my parents when we were out collecting berries.”
A feeling of unease snakes its way up my spine.
“I found myself in a tight spot when two Outcasts blocked my path and attempted to kidnap me. I was so terrified when they grabbed me that I couldn't control the shift that overtook me. By the time my parents arrived, it was too late. The damage had been done. I was left to cope with an early shift and no guidance. Leaving me stuck like this,” she says, gesturing to her ears.
I scoot closer and grab both her hands in mine. Now I know why she spoke with such disdain when she mentioned the Outcasts earlier.
“I’m sorry you went through this. Is there not a way to reverse it?”
Zaria shakes her head. “My parents tried everything, but nothing worked. It’s not all that bad, but it can be painful when the urge to shift comes and my body can’t do anything.”
The need to comfort her is overwhelming. Although she isn't yet a friend, I am tempted to hug her like I normally would, but instead squeeze her hands and offer a kind smile.
“I don’t know what to say except I think you look beautiful,” I answer honestly.
“Really?” Zaria blinks rapidly for a couple of seconds.
“Yes.”
“Are you two done with the sob stories yet?” Nix yawns, stretching her arms above her head. “Because I’m tired. I have spent the last two days awake trying to find you.”
“Now who is telling the sob story?” I interject, raising my eyebrow.
“Touché.” Nix grins, putting her pointy teeth on display.
Zaria stands, clearing her throat. “Your bath should be ready. Do you need assistance?”
Shock renders me speechless, my face slack with disbelief. “To bathe?”
“Yes.”
“Uhh, no, I can most surely do that on my own,” I reply, standing.
“Don’t drown,” Nix quips.
Peering over my shoulder, I meet her gaze. “I’ll do my best not to.”
I shut the bathroom door behind me and close my eyes, breathing in the scent of jasmine and lilies. I slowly strip off the clothes I have on and step into the bath. The warmth of the water wraps around me, soaking into my skin, warming every part of me. I immerse myself in the water, laying my head back against the side. As I close my eyes, I can feel the bubbles completely surrounding me, and the gentle pressure as they pop against my skin. I let my hands float out in front of me, skimming the water. The gentle back-and-forth motion soothes my muscles. I take my time soaking in the bath. And despite my hair being difficult to manage, I am eventually able to smooth it out.
I walk back into the bedroom, and see Zaria's contemplative expression as she stares out the window.
“Where is Nix?” I ask, using the towel to dry my hair.
“I sent her to rest,” Zaria says. “She has been up for days.”
My gaze lingers on her, studying her every movement and expression. She seems worried. There’s an air of uncertainty around her.
“What’s wrong?”
“That mark on your arm. How did you get it?”
Confused, I furrow my brow and give her a questioning look. “It’s a birthmark.”
Zaria lets out a sigh and massages her temples. A long tense moment passes, and her hair shifts again as she tilts her head, catching the light just so. I step closer, squinting. I see her hair move again and two tiny bright orbs stare at me.
I gasp, and Zaria’s eyes snap up to meet mine.
“You have someone in your hair!” I exclaim, pointing.
Zaria’s tail whips back and forth behind her and she reaches up, holding out her hand. I watch in complete fascination as a tiny shape appears. The fairy is only the size of my little finger. Eyes that are mesmerizing, one a piercing blue and the other a vibrant green. Her tiny frame is draped in a brown dress that matches the color of Zaria’s hair, and her light brown skin glows in the light. The tiny fairy gracefully steps on to Zaria’s hand and she brings it to her chest, holding it in front of her.
“This is Asrai. She is a Willowroot fairy.”
Asrai gathers her long brown hair over her shoulder as she blinks those unique eyes at me.
I step closer and lower my voice. “Hi, I’m Everly.”
Asrai peeks up at Zaria, who smiles warmly at her, reassuring her. When she faces me again, Zaria holds her out to me. Slowly, I hold my hand out until our fingertips touch. Asrai steps to my hand and curtsies, then signs her name to me.
With my free hand, I sign back. Nice to meet you.
“You know Willowroot?” Zaria asks.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Willowroots don’t speak. They use hand signals as a way of communicating. No one knows their language, not even I.”
I shrug as Asrai beams at me and unfolds a beautiful set of butterfly-like wings from her back. The colors are a mixture of blues and greens, just as vibrant as her eyes.
“You're absolutely beautiful,” I whisper in awe.
Asrai blushes and signs, Thank you, before she lifts from my palm and flies back up to Zaria’s head, and sits down. Now that I know she’s there, I don't know how I missed her in the first place.
“Look, back to your birthmark.”
I freeze, trepidation making me shuffle nervously on my feet. “What about it?”
“It’s the mark of the druid royal bloodline.”
I raise an eyebrow at her. “You're joking, right?”
“Not at all.”
I laugh, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. “No, that’s silly. It’s just a birthmark. An odd discoloration, anyone can have one, it doesn't mean anything.”
“It’s not. The Druids were all hunted and killed twenty years ago. The King and Queen fell, but their daughter was never found. Everyone assumes she died, but what if . . . ”
I chuckle at the seriousness in her voice. “Zaria, I’m not some lost princess. Believe me.”
“But it would explain how you were able to cross through the gate.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“Even if you’re not the druid princess, you must conceal your mark. The consequences of the queen or the wrong person discovering it would be fatal. All druid sympathizers were captured and exiled to the desolate outlands. Those who remain are now in hiding or have joined the Outcasts in the forest.”
I swallow roughly, the sensation of unease settling in my stomach. “You can’t be serious.”
“Completely.”
“Well, what do I do?” I ask, starting to panic. I didn't want to get hurt because someone might mistake my birthmark for something more.
“I have a magic concealer which will cover it, but you’ll need to make sure you reapply it every morning.”
“Okay. I appreciate it.”
“Anything for the . . . ”
I shoot her a dark look. “Don’t say it.”
Zaria presses her lips together and nods. “Fine, but I think maybe you should be trying to think of how you were able to cross through into this realm, because I bet it has something to do with that mark.”
Shaking my head, I turn away in amusement, then head straight for the food cart. Now fully stocked, the cakes become my immediate fixation, their sweet smell wafting toward me. Cake is a weakness of mine. I grab a small plate and fill it with three slices of different cakes and a few strawberries. As I turn to take a seat, Zaria lifts an eyebrow at my plate.
“I have a sweet tooth.”
“I can see that.”
“Thanks for the clean clothes.” I rub the soft tulle fabric between my fingers. This dress is a much better fit. The bodice fits me like a glove, with over the shoulder delicate cupped sleeves, and the flared bottom gives me a twirl-worthy silhouette.
“It looks good on you. I have sent some maids into the village with your measurements ready to stock you up with garments as we speak.”
“Oh, there was no need for that. I’ll be heading home soon.” I’m thankful for the topic change because Zaria thinking I am some lost druid princess is absurd. That is, until I notice her expression.
“Now what is it?” I groan.
“The queen has forbidden you from leaving the castle grounds.”