45. Maxon
Maxon
Chapter forty-five
My grip tightens around Nolan’s neck. He couldn’t be the spy. He was my father’s best friend and closest confidant. Acting as a father figure, he has mentored me since my parents’ passing.
“Nolan?” I growl in warning.
"Maxon, he was there when we made plans to go to the Evergreens. He had ample amount of time to let the Outcasts know what was happening. And with your departure to Escalle . . . ’
I shake my head, not wanting to believe her. A tight knot forms in my stomach. The thought of Nolan being the spy sends a rush of betrayal through my veins.
“Tell me it’s not you giving information to the Outcasts.”
I see Raiden move swiftly, positioning himself to block the exit. There is no response from Nolan as he stares at me. It’s true. A surge of rage courses through me, and with a thunderous bellow, I launch Nolan into the air, his body crashing against the wall above the fireplace. Slumped over, Nolan lands on the floor before attempting to push himself back up. My obsidian sword materializes in my hand, and I stalk toward him.
“Answer me, Nolan.”
Before Nolan even has a chance to answer, the secret passage opens, and three fae come strolling into the room, drawing up short when they see everyone gathered here. Kian, Tristan, and Raiden all draw their weapons. I let go of Nolan and face the new threat.
“Who are you?” I growl, striding toward them. “And how did you know the passages?”
I place myself between them and the rest of the room. The man in front is frozen, his gaze locked on someone behind me. The two other fae are younger, and shift nervously on their feet. One sees Nolan and pales. A cold sensation washes over me when I realize the leader’s stare is fixated on Everly.
“Don’t look at her. Look at me!”
The man’s violet eyes snap to mine. His long silver hair is messily pulled back, and a scar runs down his cheek, the skin red and puckered. Meaning he was cut using a spelled blade. He wouldn’t have been able to heal as he normally would, and judging by the shade of his eyes, he is strong.
“Apologies, Your Highness.” The man bows his head. “Seems Nolan misinformed us of your absence.”
I lock eyes with Nolan, and he winces under the intensity of my gaze.
“Val, I don’t know where she could be–” A woman enters the room behind the three fae, a look of panic on her face as she comes to a stop. It’s one of my aunt’s lady’s maids.
I inhale sharply, my fist tightening around the handle of my obsidian sword. “Someone better tell me what the fuck is going on!” I bellow.
Everly’s touch on my back jolts me out of my anger-induced haze, making me aware of her own emotions. I glance over my shoulder at her, and notice the glistening tears in her eyes.
“I know you,” she whispers.
“How could you know these fae? They are Outcasts and traitors!” Tristan spits.
Everly moves to my side, her eyes remaining fixed on the man with the striking silver hair. Looking into his eyes, I am immediately struck by the depth of emotion they convey.
Who was he to her?
“Princess Vera.” His voice is tender as he inclines his head.
Everly gasps, her hands covering her mouth. “Valric!”
The fae smiles warmly at her and sheaths his sword. “At your service.”
“What? No fucking way!” Tristan growls.
“How are you here?” Everly asks him, and I can see she is holding herself back from going to him.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for your return.”
“You’re her paladin?” Kian sounds stunned.
Her paladin?
I shake my head. It seems in my absence I've missed out on a few things. “You storm my castle and kill my people, all to get to Everly?” I snarl.
The lady’s maid shifts on her feet, and I see Nolan discreetly shake his head at her. Without hesitation, I point my sword in her direction. “Don’t even think about running or I’ll cut you from navel to neck.”
Her throat bobs and she drops her eyes, exposing her neck. Everly's anger builds again, I can sense the shift in her energy.
“Eve, right?” she asks the woman.
The woman's head tilts upward, and she responds with a nod.
“So it was you and Nolan, then? You allowed the seelie prince access to my rooms. Informed the Outcasts of our movements.”
Her eyes widen. “The seelie prince was here?”
With a subtle nod from me, Raiden has Eve by the throat, his dagger positioned over her heart.
Valric and Nolan advance, the gleaming tip of my sword aimed directly at Valric’s throat. Valric hesitantly raises his hands, while Nolan stands frozen in place, the weight of tension palpable in the atmosphere.
“We have a lot to discuss. Answer my questions and she will live,” I growl.
Valric looks pissed, but join the fucking club. The flames of my fire are flickering dangerously under my skin, and I am barely keeping it at bay. The amount of anger and betrayal surging through me is inconceivable.
Tristan and Kian come to stand at my back, Everly between the two of them. I glare at the two fae behind Valric.
“All of you, sit,” I order, nodding to the daybed.
All three men walk over and reluctantly take a seat. Before anyone can utter another word, Nymeria and Anika smash through my chamber doors, the magic wards visibly wavering. The wards don’t let anyone in my chambers who wishes me harm. But just because they don't mean me harm at that moment doesn't guarantee their intentions won't turn malicious.
In a moment of panic, everyone freezes, and Rayna lets out a frightened yelp, instinctively seeking protection behind Zaria, who stands from the sofa to face the wolves.
“Perfect timing, you two,” I greet the wolves. “Mind making sure no one moves?”
The wolves snarl in the direction of the three Outcasts, and trot forward, coming to sit at either side of Everly and myself.
Glancing at the person I’ve relied on for years, I lock eyes with Nolan, the light from the swaying curtains casting shadows on his face.
“Nolan,” I demand, the sound of my voice echoing through the quiet room, “I want to know every detail of your recent activities.”
“Maxon, I did this for you. Can’t you see she was bewitching you? She doesn’t belong here. She is one of them.”
I reach out through the bond, and I’m overwhelmed by Everly's hurt and rejection. It only fuels the fiery rage that simmers in the pit of my stomach.
“Nolan. Everly is part of me, part of my soul. To plot to have her taken from me is treason,” I seethe.
The shock of the situation causes Nolan's face to go ashen, resembling the paleness of a ghost.
“Tristan, Kian, take him to the dungeons before I do something I may or may not regret.” My voice is barely more than a feral growl.
“Wait!” Everly links her fingers with mine. “Did you conspire with the seelie prince?”
Nolan jerks his head back, his brows lowering in confusion. “What?”
Everly sighs. ‘He isn’t Alivar’s spy.’
‘We can’t be sure yet. He will need to be questioned.’
Looking down at Everly, I find myself leaning in and lightly kissing her forehead, savoring the smoothness of her skin against my lips and the scent of her hair. I breathe in the tranquility she brings, allowing it to soothe me. Gazing at us, Nolan stands tall, exuding an air of confidence. Confidence he has no right in feeling, even if it is an act. Even after all this time knowing Nolan, I never once thought he was capable of this, and yet here we are.
“Go!” I snap, fire burning in my eyes.
Nolan is escorted out of my chambers without argument. I grind my teeth together and watch the door close behind them. Giving Everly’s hand a gentle squeeze, we both turn to face Valric.
“Why are you here?” I try my best to sound calm, and not at all like I want to rip his head off his shoulders. Which is still a possibility.
Valric's gaze lingers on Everly’s hand still firmly clasped in mine, as if trying to make sense of something before he finally looks up. He immediately looks at Everly, and I despise how he watches her. I hate that it even bothers me.
“We are here to take you to our encampment.”
“Like fuck,” I growl, magic infusing my words.
“I’m not going with you.” Everly is remarkably calm as she responds. “My home is here.”
Everly’s words, though a soothing balm to the raging fire inside of me, have the opposite effect on Valric, who jerks to his feet.
“He is the enemy. You cannot stay here!” Valric yells, slashing his hand toward me.
Nymeria and Anika bare their fangs, growls rumbling from their bodies. Before I have a chance to lash out at Valric, Everly drops my hand and marches toward him, her finger poking him in the chest several times.
“Enemy? He is my mate, and I will not leave. Peace once existed in this realm. Division was never meant to happen.”
“It’s the court’s fault there is division. They attacked us. They killed your parents. Don’t you remember!”
Everly flinches, and instinctively I extend my arm, encircling her chest, bringing her close to me. A wave of pain and sadness overwhelms our bond, and I send Valric a sharp look as I channel my love and comfort to Everly
Her hands reach up, gripping my arm tightly. “I am perfectly safe here. It’s your attempts to reach me that have put me in danger. That was you in the forest, wasn’t it? Would you have killed my friends to take me?”
Eve gasps, the lines on her face etched with weariness. “You ambushed them?”
“She belongs with us,” Valric snaps.
Everly shakes her head. “You’ve changed.”
“I lost everything the day your parents died. The day you disappeared.”
“You say it like it’s my fault,” Everly whispers.
And I know she is thinking of what my aunt told her.
‘What happened in Pinehelm wasn’t your fault. They attacked first.’
‘But it was my magic that sent everyone into a fear-induced frenzy. What if it happens again?’
‘I won’t let anything happen to you, Stóirín. I swear.’