29. Everly
Everly
Chapter twenty-nine
With each step down the stairs, my palms grow clammy and my heart races faster. The weight of the unknown hangs heavily on my shoulders, and I can sense a similar tension in Kian’s demeanor. His usually bright eyes are clouded with worry, mirroring my own internal struggle. Maxon and Tristan, always the practical ones, are busy securing the saddles and double-checking the supplies on the horses. Their efficiency only heightens my sense of unease.
I can’t help but wonder what lies ahead for us. The journey we are about to embark upon is shrouded in mystery.Am I truly prepared for whatever awaits us in the Evergreens?
Doubts creep into my mind, fueling the nerves that are churning in my stomach. What if I’m not who they all think me to be?
I have no memory of my life before foster care, but the thought that I might be some kind of lost druid is absolutely insane. It seems completely impossible. I can’t even start to comprehend the meaning, nor my feelings toward it. But had I not somehow connected with those vines . . . But amidst the uncertainty, there is also a glimmer of hope. I know deep down that this trip has the potential to change everything, to uncover truths I have never even considered. It’s a chance to find myself, to prove my worth, and to discover the strength I never knew I possessed.
Dawn is breaking as I step out of the castle and make my way down to the garden. Lifting my face, I let the warm breeze caress my skin. Kian remains silent next to me, his unusually quiet demeanor making me nervous. I walk toward the elaborate garden, my fingers reaching for the flowers. Each one strains in my direction, as if begging to be touched. I smile and softly glide my hand over the rose bush, watching the flowers bloom. Color bursts forth, and I feel a jolt of energy as the red buds open.
“It’s magic,” a voice says behind me.
With a jolt, I turn to find Maxon a few feet away, his eyes locked on mine.
“That’s what you are feeling,” he explains.
I glance down at my hand, feeling the warmth of my magic tingling in my fingertips. I know it’s true, and a slow smile spreads across my face as a wave of happiness washes over me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Kian quietly slipping away.
I feel a tug in my chest pulling me toward Maxon. As I look up into his eyes, an overwhelming desire to be nearer to him consumes me. Instinctively, I move closer, coming to a stop directly in front of him. I raise my hand and gently trace the tattoo on his face, my other hand finding its place on his arm. Closing his eyes, he leans into my hand, and I can’t help but smile. I let my hand lower to rest on his chest, my palm resting above his heart. His violet eyes slowly open, filled with an overwhelming heat and desire that takes my breath away.
“You are driving me absolutely crazy,” he whispers.
I smile up at him, my cheeks warming under his intense gaze. His fingertips lightly graze my cheeks, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I love it when you blush,” he breathes, bending his head, and drawing me closer as his lips press against mine in a warm, heated kiss.
Maxon’s hands roam over my curves, pulling me closer and stoking the fire building in my veins. Suddenly, I’m swept off my feet and lifted into his arms. I let out an involuntary yelp, throwing my arms around his neck. One of his arms bands under my knees, the other behind my back. With a low chuckle, he makes my insides dance before leaning in to press a tender kiss on my forehead.
I feel the delicious warmth of his breath on my cheek as he grins down at me, running his nose along my temple. “I want to show you something.”
“I can walk.”
“I like holding you.”
“I’m too heavy,” I protest, feeling my cheeks burning again.
“No, you're not. You're perfect.”
My mouth snaps shut at the sincerity in his voice.
I smile, kicking my feet a little as my long, simple blue dress gracefully cascades down his arm, and I tenderly run my fingers through his silky hair behind his neck.
“Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.” He takes off down the path, heading deeper into the garden where it grows a little wilder. I haven’t been down this way yet. My mouth drops open and I gasp at the sight of the massive weeping willow trees surrounding a giant lake.
“Oh, my gosh.”
Maxon gives me a gentle squeeze before placing me on my feet. Excitement bubbles inside me, and the wind seems to play around me in response. I laugh as the wind lifts my hair from around my shoulders, and I feel a gentle tug pulling me forward. I let out a gasp as my dress flutters around my legs. It’s as if the wind is trying to speak to me.
Looking over my shoulder, I find Maxon standing with his arms crossed over his chest, watching me with a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
I turn back toward the trees. They are absolutely breathtaking. What makes these weeping willows so beautiful is their unique coloring; some are a deep, majestic purple, while others are a pristine, snow white. The lake's surface glitters with the reflection of the branches and leaves skimming across its surface. I gaze out at the lake, captivated by its serene beauty. The sunlight glints off the ripples, creating a pattern of light and dark that resembles morse code, accompanied by the gentle sound of water lapping at the banks. I sense Maxon coming up behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist from behind, and sigh in contentment as I lean back against him.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
Maxon spins me around and lifts me in his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck and he guides my legs around his waist, as he walks toward one of the weeping willow trees. My mind automatically goes to how secluded and hidden we’ll be in there.
The branches part. Did I make that happen?. If so, I have no clue how I’m doing it. Maxon’s eyes are alight with so many emotions as he stops and slowly sets me down on my feet, landing on the soft mossy earth beneath me. He removes his jacket and lays it on the ground. Then he pulls his white shirt off, exposing the powerful muscles beneath. I nervously gulp, trying to moisten my now dry mouth.
With a smirk, he carelessly tosses it aside and steps closer to me, his hands wrapping around my hips with a firm grip. His mouth descends on mine, his kiss like fire, consuming me and leaving me dizzy with desire. My body lights up instantly, craving skin to skin contact.
“Maxon,” I pant, breaking the kiss.
I can feel the warmth of his breath on my skin as his lips trail down my neck and along my collarbone. His fingers slowly untie the ribbons of my dress. As soon as it is loosened enough, I step away and shimmy the dress down and over my hips, stepping out of it.
Maxon’s eyes slowly travel down my body and back up, lingering on my mouth. Wearing nothing but panties, I feel the cool air caress my breasts, making my nipples perk. His gaze darkens as it drops to them, and he bites down on his lip with a groan. Before I can react, he is on me, pressing me down to the ground.
Although his movements are swift and unexpected, his touch is soft and gentle. His body covers mine and his lips closes over my nipple as he cups my breast. I arch into his mouth, and his hair falls over my body, tickling my sides.
“Maxon . . . ” I breathe, hooking my leg around his hip.
Maxon's hands are caressing every curve of my body, from the dip of my waist to the swell of my hips. I thought he’d hate my soft curves. Most of the fae have lithe bodies with long, slender limbs.
As if reading my thoughts, Maxon peers up at me. “Your curves are amazing, Stóirín,” he assures me as he moves down my body. He nips at my waist, then my hip. “These curves drive me wild. All I want to do is touch you all the damn time.”
Emotions flood me, and the way he is looking at me makes my heart soar. Maxon's teeth sink into my thigh, and I let out a gasp. Then, pulling my panties aside, his mouth covers me, his tongue swirling over my clit. I moan, my back arching as his tongue moves over me, devouring me. I feel a gentle pressure as his fingers move down to my entrance.
“Yes!” I moan arching my back in the soft mossy grass.
Maxon growls, gripping my panties in his teeth and tearing them a second before he thrusts two fingers inside me. I shiver, my muscles clamping down on his fingers as his mouth drops back down to my clit. My hands grip my hair as I ride all the feelings he’s creating. Energy buzzes along my skin, sending me into a frenzy, my hips rocking into his mouth, as his fingers glide in and out.
Oh my god . . .
“Maxon!”
Molten hot lava flows through me, his name on repeat as bursts of light flare behind my eyes and I float on a wave of ecstasy.
I’m faintly aware of Maxon shifting and removing his pants. My heart is pounding wildly in my chest, and the sound of my heavy breathing fills the air around us in this haven we’ve created. His warm, naked body hoovers over mine, and I reach for him, needing his skin to be pressed against mine. My hands cup his face, pulling his lips down to me. The moment our lips touch, Maxon’s groan escapes into my mouth, his hips rocking into mine. A shiver runs through me as his cock slides hotly along my center.
I wrap my legs around his waist, rubbing my body against his. He doesn’t wait another moment before pushing inside of me, and I gasp into his mouth as his thickness stretches me.
“Fuck, Everly,” he growls, his eyes falling closed as he works his way in to the hilt.
My heart skips at the sound of my name being growled like that.
Once he is fully seated, he pauses, his muscles straining as he holds himself back. My body is trembling, and the stretch from his cock causes my inner walls to clench.
“Maxon,” I breathe, making his eyes fly open. His gaze is like a physical force as our eyes connect. “Move.”
Maxon withdraws and pushes back in, his body creating a gentle rhythm as he moves. He is driving me crazy, slowly building me up.
Our fingers intertwine, and Maxon pins them beside my head as we move together, feeling the warmth of each other's skin. Dropping his head, he sucks my nipple into his mouth, and I feel everything inside of me tighten.
Magic tingles across my skin, and that part deep inside of my very being reaches for him. It feels like my skin is electrified.
Maxon's eyes meet mine, the silver in them sparking and swirling against the deep violet. Magic hums in the air as we both tumble over that edge. His warmth fills me, and my muscles clench around him, taking everything he gives me. A million sparks of pleasure cascade through my body as I squeeze his hands, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Stóirín,” he moans.
My heart races, pounding in my chest as I release my grip on his hands, and clasp his face. I kiss him desperately, pouring my heart and soul into the kiss, feeling something deep inside my chest click into place, and then there is a second heartbeat, right next to mine. Like an echo, and slowly they become synced.