46. Everly
Everly
Chapter forty-six
Maxon’s words do little to soothe the fear gripping my chest. I still don’t understand my magic and what I am capable of. Raiden releases his grip on Eve and gestures for her to take a seat. Maxon’s arm is still tightly wrapped around my waist, as if he’s afraid I’ll run away with the Outcasts.
“It wasn't your fault,” Valric replies, his tone softening.
I stare at him, trying to figure out if he’s being sincere. When no one breaks the tense silence that has fallen over the room, Valric continues.
“You look so much like your mother.”
Anger fills my chest, and I give him a pointed look. I am done. I don’t want to talk to him anymore. The thought of continuing the conversation with him makes me feel nauseous. When I first recognized him, my heart leaped with overwhelming happiness. But to learn what he’s done, what he is willing to do to get to me is heartbreaking.
“You need to leave,” I state matter of factly.
Maxon’s arm falls from where it was banned around my chest, and his fingers link with mine.
‘Speak your truth, Stóirín. I will back you.’
As my eyes shift back to Valric, a surge of confidence and determination courses through me, making me stand taller. I can sense Maxon’s unwavering support, assuring me that he will back me up every step of the way. It ignites a fire within me, pushing me to rise above any doubts or fears.
Valric stands there, blinking at me in confusion as if I were speaking another language. Maybe that would work better anyway.
“Please, just leave,” I say again, this time in my native tongue.
Valric's eyes widen in astonishment, causing the other Outcasts to gap in disbelief.
“But you are our queen,” one of them argues, rising to his feet.
With a menacing growl, Nymeria lunges at him, causing him to instinctively raise his hands.
“I may be your queen one day, but for now, we have bigger things to deal with. I will bring peace again, but it won’t be by force. I will not leave my home again, and my home is here.”
Valric’s eyes harden as he looks over my head at Maxon. “Will you let us leave?” he snaps.
“If she wishes it, then yes.”
Valric’s jaw tenses up, and then he looks over at Eve. “What of Eve?”
“She can stay if that's what she wants,” I reply.
Maxon tenses behind me, and Valric’s eyes widen with uncertainty as he stares at us for a long beat.
‘You sure?’ Maxon asks.
‘I don’t think she is here to harm me or force me to leave. I know her. I just can’t remember yet.’
‘Okay.’
“Raiden, see our guests out. Nymeria and Anika, make sure they leave the castle grounds,” Maxon commands.
Once they have left, Maxon turns to Zaria and Rayna. “Can you please escort Eve back to her room, the castle is on lockdown until I say.”
Both nod and quickly usher Eve out the door. The soft click of the door shutting has my shoulders sagging. As if trying to ward off a headache, Maxon rubs his temples with a furrowed brow. My heart aches for him, and instinctively I reach out and grasp his hand, gently guiding him to the sofa and sit him down. Straddling his lap, I sink my fingers into his hair and gently run my finger through the dark, silky strands.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, dropping my forehead to his.
‘What for?’
‘For everything. All that’s happened is because I arrived here.’
‘Don’t ever apologize for coming into my life, Stóirín. There is no life without you.’
Maxon’s arms wrap around my back, and he draws me into his chest, my arms going around his neck. I press my cheek to his as we nuzzle each other. This is where I belong.
This is home.
In Maxon’s arms.
It doesn’t matter where I am as long as he is beside me.
“What stopped Alivar from taking you?” Maxon's voice is gruff as he speaks.
“I did.”
I feel his shock down the bond, and he pulls back, cupping my face, his eyes searching my face. “How? Alivar is strong, and he could have easily portalled you away before anyone knew you were gone.”
I shrug. “I think we were both shocked. I somehow managed to create a wall of water between us.”
“Water?”
Oh shit.
“Hmmmhmmm . . . ”
“Everly, where exactly were you? You said your chambers.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I reply, dropping a kiss to his lips.
His hands drop to my thighs, the move distracting me.
“It does to me.” His voice rumbles in his chest.
I gently place my fingers on his chest, absentmindedly running them over the texture of the leather. I bite my lip, knowing he is going to lose it. “I was in the bathroom.”
“And why would he be shocked?”
I tip my head back and groan, feeling my cheeks heat. “I was in the bath.”
Instantly, I can feel his anger and possessiveness flood our bond.
“He also saw my mark. He knows I’m yours,” I rush to reassure him.
Maxon’s grip on my thighs is firm and the low growl that comes from his chest sends a pulse of awareness through me. Desire surges through my veins, electrifying every inch of my body. The silver ring flares in his iris, his magic rising to the surface. Hot, dark and beautifully sexy. It skates over my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake. With a tight grip on my wrists, he brings my hands to his mouth and tenderly kisses each of my fingertips. The sensations send my heart into a frenzy, beating wildly in my chest.
In an instant, his hands drop mine and move up my body, cupping my breasts. His touch is like adding gasoline to an already burning fire. A barely audible groan escapes my mouth and I rock against his hard cock.
This is definitely not the time for this, but I can’t stop.
The friction of the fabric as I rock against him sends a swell of heat through my core. One of Maxon’s hands moves to my hip, his grip almost painful as he pulls me into him. The other hand sinks into my hair and cups the back of my head. I open my eyes, meeting with his intense and unwavering gaze. His lips hover just an inch away from mine, and I can feel the warmth of his breath. My tongue instinctively darts out, moistening my lips, wanting nothing more than to close the breath of space between us.
“You belong with me,” he growls, then his lips crash down on mine.
I moan into the kiss, our movements becoming frantic as I grind on his lap. I am so close; I am dizzy with need.
Love and possession wrap around my heart as Maxon deepens the kiss, his tongue driving into my mouth. My stomach dips violently at the feel of his tongue sliding against mine, setting me off.
Maxon’s kiss muffles my cries as I come apart, trembling on his lap. I’m panting and shaky, collapsing my forehead on his shoulder.
‘That was . . . wow. You didn’t even take my clothes off.’
Maxon chuckles, the sound bringing a warmth to my chest and a smile to my lips.