25. Maxon
Maxon
Chapter twenty-five
Ihelp Everly finish dressing and lift her into my arms. The warmth of her body against mine is intoxicating, as is her floral scent, a delicate blend of roses and jasmine. Her legs wrap around my waist, her soft hands cupping my jaw, and we share a kiss. I can’t get enough of her. Every moment with her is a sensory overload, an addictive blend of desire and connection.
Pulling apart, our foreheads rest together as we catch our breath. The sun’s descent has painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, adding to the beauty of the moment. As I lean back, my fingers glide over her jaw, reveling in the delicate touch of her skin. Enraptured by her enchanting presence, I slide my fingers through the silky strands of her radiant, sun-kissed hair, captivated by its golden hue. I find myself constantly reaching out to touch her, unable to control myself. It feels like my body and soul gravitate toward her, yearning to be near.
Letting her feet touch the ground, I take her hand, our fingers intertwining. A warm, electric sensation courses through me, bringing a heightened sense of awareness between us. Smiling down at her, I run my thumb gently over her cheek, enthralled by the inviting softness of her skin.
“We should make our way back to Storm,” I murmur.
“Okay,” she replies softly.
The air feels crisp as we walk hand in hand, surrounded by a forest that teems with the melodic chirping of birds and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. Rays of sunlight filter through the dense canopy, casting a warm glow upon our path. As we navigate through the labyrinth of towering trees, the soft rustling of leaves underfoot harmonizes with the whispers of the wind, as if nature itself is speaking in a language beyond our comprehension. My gaze sweeps across the forest, and I notice that it seems to part, creating a clear path, as if nature itself is guiding us back to Storm.
Storm is exactly where we left him, his excitement clear when he sees us emerge from the thick foliage.
“Storm,” Everly says affectionately as she approaches.
Dropping my hand, she reaches out and runs her hands over his cheeks before stepping closer and resting her forehead on his nose. My heart thumps hard at the affection they share. Storm never takes to anyone the way he has to Everly.
I lift her onto Storm’s back and hop on behind her, grabbing hold of the reins. We begin our journey back to the castle at a steady pace. The time spent with Everly this afternoon has exceeded all of my expectations. Now, I am certain that she possesses magic. The question is, what magic?
Everly leans her back against my chest, and I soak in the feeling of her warmth. We’ve been riding peacefully for just over half an hour, but a slight disturbance in the air catches my attention. The atmosphere crackles with unease, and Storm’s hooves pound against the ground in agitation. I reach down and pat his side, letting him know I feel it, too.
My magic awakens, pulsating with a heightened sense of awareness. A delightful tingling sensation electrifies my skin, causing tiny prickles to dance across its surface. In an instant, I descend to the ground, my feet not making a sound as they land in the soft dirt. Effortlessly, I rise to my full height, my senses reaching out.
My eyes sweep across the area, taking in the sight of the forest before me. The trees begin to thin out as we approach the Fey Glade, but there is still plenty of cover for a lurker to be watching.
The forest stands still, holding its breath. Even the wind through the trees ceases to exist, leaving only an eerie silence.
“Maxon?” Everly’s whisper reaches my ears, but before I can reply, a figure emerges from the midst of the trees. Familiarity washes over me, sending a jolt of recognition pulsing through my veins.
Without hesitation, I summon my sword. The obsidian blade materializes in my hand, the embodiment of my power. Its weight is familiar in my hand, a comforting extension of myself. When I channel my magic, it emanates an aura of darkness.
I cast a quick look up at Everly as she gasps, her hands instinctively flying to her mouth, her eyes wide. My heart swells with protectiveness, a fierce urge to shield her from any harm.
"Storm, take her to safety now," I command, my voice echoing with authority.
The urgency in my words is clear, mirroring the imminent danger that hangs over us. I don’t watch her leave. I keep my gaze locked on the figure.
“Wait!" she cries, her voice filled with a mix of fear and frustration, but Storm doesn't hesitate, racing back toward the castle with lightning speed.
The glint of my sword catches the fading sunlight that filters through the trees. “What are you doing here, Alivar?”
“I’ve come for the human, of course.”
“You can’t have her.”
Alivar’s lips curl into a sinister smirk, a malevolent gleam dancing in his icy blue eyes. The air grows colder, as if shivering in response to the crown prince of seelie's aura of malice and cruelty.
“I hear she might be the Druid. You know, the one that was once promised to me.”
Shock rolls through me at his casually spoken words, but my face remains stoic, not showing any outward reaction. I have suspected she might be, but I haven’t been able to confirm my suspicions. Though that doesn’t explain how he knows.
“Who told you that?”
“Tsk, tsk,” he replies mockingly, running a hand through his white hair, the short strands standing up haphazardly. “One does not reveal his spies.”
Red hot anger burns through me at the revelation. My magic lights up every nerve in my body. “Even if she were the princess, she was never promised to you, and you know it.”
Alivar snorts, the air around him full of conceit. “We will see about that.”
His hand sweeps outward in a swift motion, causing a chilling gust of wind to rush past me. The ground transforms into a glittering sheet of ice, rapidly advancing toward me. I swiftly dive to the side, feeling the cold air brushing against my skin, and easily roll to my feet, raising my obsidian sword, its weight reassuring, an extension of me.
As I explained to Everly, our powers are pulled from our magic, which is derived from the depths of our hearts. The blade I am able to summon from my magic is made of obsidian, a pitch-black volcanic glass that gleams with an otherworldly shine. Its edges are razor sharp, honed to perfection, and its surface is adorned with intricate carvings of ancient symbols. With each swing, it effortlessly cuts through the air, leaving behind a trail of shimmering black particles, like glittery shadows dancing in the moonlight. Its magical properties and mystical origins make it a formidable and deadly weapon, capable of piercing through even the strongest of defenses.
However, Alivar’s heart is cold and devoid of mercy. The only magic that comes from him is cold and harsh, freezing the once flourishing meadow into a desolate tundra, turning vibrant flowers into delicate ice sculptures that shatter upon contact. His icy touch can drain the warmth from any living being.
“She isn’t for you!” I snarl, feeling a surge of possessiveness and anger well up within me.
“What? Let me guess, she is yours?” His mocking tone has my jaw clenching. “If I kill you, then she will move on, eventually.”
With a fierce snarl, I swiftly advance toward him, muscles tense and heart pounding. The sound of my boots hitting the ground reverberates through our surroundings as I close the distance. With lightning speed, I bring my sword down, but Alivar, just in time, produces one of his own.
The fury of the dragon fills my veins and I roar, lunging forward. Alivar side steps and spins. I watch as he summons his magic and sends a ball of ice hurling toward me. Raising my arms, I slice at it with my sword, the obsidian blade cutting through any magic.
Undeterred, Alivar sends a surge of light shooting toward me, crackling and sizzling with malevolence, as it barrels in my direction. I raise an eyebrow at him, and I lift my sword in a wide arc, creating a shimmering shield that absorbs the deadly assault.
“Come, Alivar. It’s been a while since we dueled, but I thought you might have upped your game.”
With a flick of my wrist, a swirling vortex of wind and fire engulfs Alivar, the turbulent inferno devouring his roars of defiance. The scorching flames dance and lick at his skin, threatening to consume him, but his ice magic leaves him unmarred.
A gust of icy wind pushes away my flames, and Alivar glares at me as he strolls forward.
“Since when can you summon fire like that?” he growls.
I shrug, not sure if he’s actually expecting an answer.
“What’s the matter, princeling, can’t handle the heat?” I taunt, sending him a wink.
Alivar’s face contorts with offense, his jaw clenching and nostrils flaring. He throws spells at me, one after another, filling the air with crackling energy. With a swift motion, I raise my sword, slashing through each attack.
“Is this all you got, princeling?” I tease, knowing it will wind him up.
Alivar doesn’t disappoint. He always has known how to hold his own.
He stalks toward me, his own sword forming in his hand. Where mine is black obsidian, his is an icy white gem, like frozen water capturing the sunlight. I roll my shoulders and crack my neck before readying my sword.
Our swords collide at the center, creating a shower of sparks in every direction. Fire and ice clash with immense power. The force of our collision reverberates through our bodies, the impact fueling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I quickly duck under his sword, feeling the rush of air as it whizzes past me. My feet barely touch the ground as I smoothly pivot around him.
I twirl my sword in my hand and smirk at Alivar. “Very nice. So, you have been practicing.”
Alivar swings his sword at the same time as he throws out a spell, icy whips wrapping around my torso as I try to dodge both blows. I struggle against the magical restraints, the ground trembling beneath me as my magic surfaces. Cracks form, splitting the earth apart with a deafening roar, and the ice encasing me shatters to the ground.
Effortlessly, I draw my sword into my hand as my other arm becomes consumed by a swirling spiral of scorching flames. With a furious cry, Alivar channels his magic once more, this time summoning a torrential downpour. Raindrops turn into icy daggers, slashing through the air toward me. Each droplet carries the weight of his determination. Letting go of my sword, I bring my arms up in a wide arc, releasing the fire. The flames flare out like a shield, melting the ice before it can reach me.
I feel a sharp pain in my side and look down to see that while I was distracted, Alivar portalled closer and has now lodged his dagger into my side. With a low growl escaping my throat, I pull it free and lunge forward, fury powering my every move.
My hand slashes through the air, aiming the dagger for Alivar’s throat. His icy blue eyes widen with surprise as the blade grazes his cheek. Blood drips down his face, but he doesn’t falter. He retaliates with a swift kick to my chest, sending me sprawling backward.
Pain shoots through my body, but I refuse to yield. I push myself up, magic lashing out around me.
Dragon’s fire.
A magic I’ve kept contained for a long time.
The wound on my side heals instantly as a layer of fire engulfs my body. I charge at him, dagger raised. Our blades clash, sparks igniting as we counter each strike. We dance back and forth, neither of us willing to back down.
The sound of thundering hooves breaks through our battle, taking advantage of Alivar's momentary distraction, I sweep his feet out from beneath him. Alivar curses as he hits the ground hard, but he’s quick, rolling to his feet and creating a portal.
Sending a glare my way, Alivar growls. “Until next time, prince.”
Then, with a swift step, he vanishes into thin air.