27. Everly
Everly
Chapter twenty-seven
Maxon’s gaze hardens, and the muscles in his jaw tighten as his head snaps up. He scans the area, taking in the sight of the guards encircling us. The sound of their heavy boot’s echo, bleeding tension into the atmosphere, as they draw their swords. Raiden inches closer, his presence intensifying the situation. Maxon stands, his hand reaching out, intending to help me up. I swallow roughly and slip my hand in his, the touch of his warm palm providing a comforting reassurance amidst the chaos that now surrounds us.
What the hell is happening right now?
“I’m only going to say this once. Back down.” Maxon’s voice has taken on a menacingly calm tone, causing me to hold my breath. I scan the guards and catch a momentary flicker of hesitation in their eyes before it swiftly vanishes.
“We have our orders, Your Highness.”
“Well, I’m giving you new ones,” Maxon argues, taking a step forward, positioning himself slightly in front of me.
I sense Raiden shifting behind me, his intimidating presence unmistakable. They are putting themselves between me and the danger. The air is charged with tension as the guards remain still, their unmoving figures causing my heart to quicken.
Do they not follow Maxon?
I know the soldiers are loyal to Maxon, but are the guards loyal only to the queen?
Maxon’s hand flexes and his obsidian sword swirls to life in his grasp.
Before anyone can make a move, a flash of white appears in my periphery. Maxon must spot it as well, because both of our heads turn, but whatever it is, it’s gone.
My heart rate increases with another flash of white moving behind the guards.
What the–
A thunderous growl pierces the air. Heads turn in every direction, unable to pinpoint the source. Another growl follows shortly after.
“Maxon?” I breathe, my voice caught in my throat.
Out of nowhere, two white wolves soar over the guards and land with a thud in the empty space between us and the guards, their fur bristling. Maxon and Raiden move to intercept them, but I react faster, my fingers forcefully digging into their skin as I grab them.
“NO!” I shout in a panic.
Maxon falters, his intense gaze dropping to mine, and the two wolves turn, lowering their heads, emitting low menacing snarls at the guards.
“Don’t hurt them,” I implore urgently, moving toward the massive wolves.
“Everly, out of the way.” Raiden’s growl reverberates through the air as he tightens his grip on his sword.
“You can’t hurt them!” I snap, blocking his way.
A low, menacing growl sounds from behind me, and I whip my head around to look over my shoulder. Maxon is edging closer to me, his footsteps cautious and deliberate. One of the wolves backs up to me, its head low and teeth bared, as it tries to protect me.
“He is safe,” I whisper.
The wolf relaxes slightly as if understanding my words, moving its attention from Maxon and back to the guards who look as if they’ve seen a ghost.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a guard readying his bow, and my panic manifests into anger in a split second.
I step forward and shoot him a warning glare. “Don’t you dare!”
His eyes widen at my threat, and he slowly lowers the bow.
Raiden, still not convinced that they won't harm me, speaks low but clear. “Everly, step away. These are the white ghosts of the mountain. They are dangerous.”
“They will not harm me.”
“How could you possibly know that?” he scolds.
Disregarding the others, I shift my gaze to the wolves, taking in their sharp teeth and bristling fur as they prepare for combat.
I don't know how, but a sense of familiar bond washes over me.
A tiny whimper catches my attention, and I halt my steps, straining my ears for the sound. I crouch down next to a bush and push the branches aside to reveal two quivering wolf pups, their snow-white fur muddled with brown dirt.
“Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay,” I whisper gently, trying to reassure the pups I'm not there to hurt them. Brushing my wild, windblown hair from my face, I take a seat on the ground. I can feel the weight of their curious amber eyes as they watch my every move. The dirt beneath me is soft and pliant, almost like a cushion, as I cross my legs.
“I’m not going to hurt you. Where’s your mother?” I whisper kindly.
The wolves’ tails tuck between their legs as they look around nervously. After a moment of hesitation, one of them inches closer, its nose twitching as it sniffs the air. Holding my breath, I wait as they grow bolder and approach me. I tentatively extend my hand and run my fingers over its head, feeling the softness of its fur. Almost immediately, the pup dives into my lap, huddling against me. The other pup tilts its head at me and then stares at its sibling before slowly trotting over and seeking comfort as well.
Their wet noses and rough tongues tickle me, and I can’t help but giggle. I know Mother and Father will be mad that I came out in the woods alone, but the trees were calling. Plus, if I didn’t go beyond the boundaries, these poor pups would have been abandoned and helpless. I nibble on my lip, trying to figure out how I could stealthily bring the wolves into the castle and up to my room.
“You're mine now and I am yours. I will call you Nymeria and Anika.”
I fall backward as they scramble up my body, their weight pressing down on me, but all I can feel is their relief.
Standing up, I begin walking toward home and usher the wolves to follow.
“Nymeria, Anika?” I whisper, tears stinging my eyes. Emotions I can’t even begin to name surface, putting pressure on my chest, as both wolves snap their heads in my direction.
“Oh my gods, I remember you!” I rasp.
As one of the wolves steps forward, Maxon tenses, but I hold my arm out, signaling him to stay put. The wolf in front of me has a single green eye, which I know belongs to Anika. My lips curve into a tender smile as I open my arms, eager to embrace her. The wolf surges forward, and my arms instinctively wrap around her neck as I bury my face in her soft fur. I breathe her in, the comforting scent of familiarity wrapping around me. A soft warmth presses against my back and Nymeria’s warm breath tickles my skin. My heart feels like it’s about to burst with happiness.
I know these wolves.
They smell like home.
“What is happening right now?” Raiden’s voice sounds extremely pissed off. I can feel the weight of everyone's eyes on me, their silent anticipation almost suffocating. Taking a deep breath, I stand and face the others, squaring my shoulders. Their faces show a range of emotions, from confusion to mistrust to fear. The queen’s guards stand before me with faces twisted in fury as they raise their weapons again. Raiden and Maxon instinctively form a protective shield, blocking an easy path to me and the wolves. Raiden’s wings span out, casting a shadow over us.
“Put your weapons down now!” Maxon barks.
He isn’t facing me, but the threat in his stare is written across every face before us. His warning is emanating from his entire being.
Nolan moves to the front of the group, glaring at me. “She cannot be trusted, Your Highness.”
“Bullshit. Put your weapons down. This is your final warning.”
At Maxon’s words, his own soldiers move in, surrounding the queen’s guards. Their hands are poised on the hilts of their swords, ready to unsheathe them at a moment’s notice, awaiting the orders of their commander and prince. Warmth fills me as Maxon’s soldiers show how unwaveringly devoted they are to him, ready to confront the queen’s guard at his command. Even so, if I can intervene—show them the wolves are no threat, that I am no threat—maybe they will back down.
“They won’t hurt any of us!” I shout so everyone can hear.
“You don’t know that,” snaps Nolan. “And what of you? You’ve been lying to us the entire time.”
“I honestly didn’t know I could do that. I’ve never . . . ” My voice trails off.
I don’t know what to say.
What can I say?
Nolan steps forward, and Maxon’s sword raises in his direction.
“The wolves are–”
I quickly step forward, laying a hand on Maxon’s arm, and cut Nolan off. “As long as you are not a threat to me, they won’t harm a soul. You have my word.”
I will not let him harm them.
Nolan’s face twists into a scowl. “Your words mean nothing, girl.”
The air crackles and before I can take my next breath, Maxon blurs forward, and in a flash, Nolan is sent hurtling backward through the air before anyone can even react.
“Her words mean everything!” he roars.
Anger swirls like a savage storm around Maxon as he faces the guards. I step forward and gently place my hand on his back, feeling his instinctual need to shield and protect me.
I glance over my shoulder at Raiden, but he arches an eyebrow at the other guards. “Final warning. Back down, I can tell you now that the prince will not ask again.”
In a synchronized motion, the queen’s guards glance at one another. They all shift uneasily on their feet, like they know they are no match for Maxon’s army. One by one, they sheath their swords.
Finally, Maxon turns to face me, his eyes locking with mine. Then they move over to Anika and Nymeria before finally settling on me again. Butterflies swarm through my stomach and chest, making my pulse flutter in anticipation.
“How do you know the white wolves?”
I give a small shrug, my shoulders barely lifting as I try to minimize the importance. “I know them because I am their guardian, and they are mine.”
All eyes turn to me in astonishment, a heavy silence filling the air. The wolves sit on either side of me, my hands scratching between their ears. I feel the strength and power of their bodies next to me, and a deep sense of kinship.
Maxon studies me for several long moments before running a hand through his hair and letting out a deep sigh. “You are full of surprises.”
The guards and soldiers shift nervously, their unease palpable. Without a word, Maxon raises his hands, commanding the attention of those gathered.
“Everly and the wolves are not a threat. Our primary concern is the Vurien. They need to be moved back to the caves.” Then he looks to the guards, who are still surrounded by his men. “You will help. Everly and I will be going to see the queen.”
Stepping closer, Maxon’s hands find my neck, his touch both gentle and possessive as his thumbs stroke my jaw. Those violet eyes search my face. For what, I’m not sure. My breath catches when he tips my head back, those fingers sinking into my hair.
“Who exactly are you, Everly Baker?” he whispers, his mouth moving closer to mine.
“That’s exactly what I want to know,” snorts Raiden beside us.