39. Maxon
Maxon
Chapter thirty-nine
My heart thuds wildly in my chest as I take in her appearance, she looks like a fucking goddess fully awakened in her fae form. The sight alone drives me to the brink of madness. Everly was stunning before, but now there is just something magical surrounding her. Of course, it could just be that we are now mated, and the sensation of seeing my mark on her face has intensified my desire beyond measure. So, I excuse myself, allowing Everly to step into the shower in fear that I might lose control.
Watching her transform over the past few days has been truly astounding. It’s as if a light has been ignited within her, illuminating her true self. Did I panic when she lost consciousness after our bonding? Fuck, yes . . .
Actually, I became a bit unhinged until Zaria explained the situation to me.
Her body had gone through a lot. The spell that was keeping her identity hidden was also preventing her Renascitur, which usually happens slowly over time, but it hit her all at once, putting her body into shock. Had we not bonded, I would hate to think of the pain she would have felt. But because we had, I was able to do my best to temper the pain and soothe her while she slept.
When I hear the shower turn on, I start pacing the room. I should feel relieved she’s awake, but all I can sense is a cloud of confusion. Everly’s confusion. She is bound to have questions. And they’re questions I cannot answer.
Fuck, I have questions.
Like how the fuck did the druid fucking princess end up hidden in the human realm for twenty fucking years?
A knock at the door has me calling on my sword, my protective instincts flaring to the surface. The door opens, and Zaria's wide eyes meet mine, her gaze flickering to the sword in my hand. Sensing her discomfort, I release a heavy sigh, realizing that my reaction may have been too extreme. I drop my arm, and the weight of the sword dissipates as it vanishes into thin air. Zaria’s expression softens slightly as she watches me.
“I didn’t mean to startle you, Zaria. Please, come in.”
Zaria clears her throat and slips inside, shutting the door behind her. Then her eyes travel to the empty bed.
“She’s awake?”
“Yes.”
Zaria's shoulders drop, her voice barely audible. “Thank the goddess, Aine. I was getting worried. Does she remember anything?”
I run a hand through my hair and slump down in the chair. “Some, I think. She was shocked by her appearance. I don't even know how to explain what it means to be fully mated or fae.”
“You’ll figure it out.”
I huff a laugh. “Glad you think so.”
“Just be honest with her. A lot has changed. Her whole life was taken from her. She would have felt the effect of being stuck in the human realm. Though she might not have understood it.”
I nod, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees. “At least we know how she was able to transport herself through the portal. She has so much untrained power.”
Zaria looks worried as she makes quick work of stripping the sheets from the bed and rolling them up.
“What’s bothering you, Z?”
Her head snaps up, and her face lights up with a wide grin. “You haven’t called me that since we were kids.”
I rest my chin in my hand and smile. “I remember you spying on Raiden and me, before you joined our friend circle. You were quite good at it, which is probably why Raiden chose you as his in-house spy.”
Zaria's face flushes, and she clears her throat. “I did not spy on you two.”
I tip my head back and let out a laugh. “You were not fooling anyone, Z. Your crush on Raiden was so obvious.”
A pillow flies at my face, and I swiftly catch it before it can hit. With a mischievous grin, Zaria sticks her tongue out at me and proceeds to fluff up another pillow.
“It’s okay, Z. You two suit each other.”
Her ears twitch and she stops making the bed to stare at me. “You really think so?”
“Of course.”
Zaria bites her lip, a brief moment of hesitation passing through her, before she nods and continues her task. I furrow my brow and rise to my feet, striding over to lend her a hand.
“Tell me, have you or Nix come any closer to who the mole is?”
“No. It’s blooming hard because everyone is damn suspicious!”
I grunt, reminded of the constant deception that defines life in the high fae court.
“I was sure Nix would have weeded them out by now. Speaking of Nix, where is she?”
“She went off with Nero. I think Silver went with them.”
“Nero?” I question straightening up.
“Oh yes, the shapeshifter now has a name. He would like to be called Nero, not the Puca or trickster.”
“Well, that’s new. I thought he liked his names.”
“Right!”
“Wonder what brought on that change,” I muse, placing the pillows neatly on the bed.
Zaria shrugs, then places her hands on her hips. “You really didn’t have to help.”
“It was no problem,” I offer.
We hear the shower turn off, and Zaria collects the dirty sheets from the floor.
“I will leave you to it and bring food. I’m sure she is starving.”
“Thanks, Z.”
The door clicks shut behind her as the bathroom door opens and Everly walks out in a pink silk robe, her hair in a towel on top of her head.
“Feel better?” I ask.
Everly walks toward me with a dreamy expression, her steps unsteady and gaze unfocused. I move toward her and scoop her into my arms, carrying her over to the sofa. I can feel the mix of confusion and awe emanating from her.
“What’s wrong?”
“I have your mark,” she murmurs.
A grin spreads across my face as a sense of pride and contentment swells within me. “You do.”
A joyful spark lights up her now mossy green eyes. “That means I’m your true mate?”
A gentle tenderness envelops my heart, and I sense her delicate heartbeat echoing in harmony with mine. The air fills with a soft hum, as if the universe itself is whispering its approval. The sight of her radiant smile coupled with the warmth in her eyes, assures me that we were destined to be together. From the very moment our paths crossed, my soul recognized hers, entwining us in an unbreakable bond. Though initially bewildered by our differences—her humanity, my royalty—I knew deep down that I was willing to embrace any path that led me to her.
“It does. We were always meant to be. I knew my soul recognized yours the moment we meet. I was just confused because you were human, but I was willing to take you anyway. I was determined to convince you to remain here, by my side. The longer you were here, the more sure I became that I loved you. That I have been falling in love with you since the moment I scooped you up in the Fey Glades.”
The fragrance of blooming flowers heightens the atmosphere, adding a touch of ethereal magic to our conversation, and I realize that the sweet scent is drifting from her. Her smile is soft as she runs her fingers over her birthmark.
“It's funny, back at the Evergreen Castle, I thought that we were reminiscent of the sun and the moon, and this mark always looked like a unique combination of a sun and moon to me, together in a winding pattern of vines. It was us all along. Marking me as a druid and you as my mate.”
My hand reaches out, gripping her wrist, I bring it to my mouth and kiss it softly.
“Entwined together by fate,” I whisper against her soft skin.
A loud knock at the door has me sliding her from my lap and standing. “Enter.”
Zaria enters with a food cart, her smile wide as she beams at Everly.
Everly stands up immediately, and I can feel her excitement as she rushes over to Zaria. Their bodies collide in a tight embrace. Zaria pulls away, her hands gently cupping Everly’s face.
“You look beautiful!” she laughs, blinking away tears.
“Thanks,” Everly replies quietly.
I see Raiden slip in followed by Nymeria and Anika before shutting the door. By the look on his face, we aren’t going to like what he had to say.
“I hate to interrupt, but the queen wishes to see you both.”