47. Everly
Everly
Chapter forty-seven
Aknock at the door has us breaking apart. Maxon slides me from his lap onto the sofa, giving me a quick kiss as he stands.
“Wait here.”
He strides over to the door and opens it. Nymeria follows closely behind, her paws softly padding on the ground. My face lights up with a smile. The wolves have developed a love and protectiveness toward Maxon, similar to how they feel toward me.
Maxon steps aside and lets Raiden in, followed by Tristan, Kian, and Nix.
“They want to know about Escalle,” Raiden explains, crossing his arms and flaring his wings slightly. Something I’ve noticed he does when he is irritated.
Maxon’s eyes flash, and I can sense his reluctance as he and Raiden share a look.
“What did you discover in Escalle?” Tristan questions.
“Is it bad?” I ask.
Maxon rubs his fingers over his forehead as if trying to rid himself of the impending headache. “The town was indeed taken out by a horde of deadlings, leaving behind a trail of destruction and the stench of decay. It was worse than I thought it would be.”
“They are trying to get our attention. They want something,” Raiden adds.
All eyes turn to me. None hold any accusations, but I feel it all the same. Guilt has a way of slithering inside of you, taking up space and snuffing out your light.
Nix flutters down and lands on my knee. “This isn’t your fault. The Shadoweaver would have sensed your arrival, and he would have sent a scout out looking for you. He has been locked away for centuries, dormant. Only waking when someone with enough power came along to break him free from his prison.”
“Are you sure it's this Shadoweaver?’ I ask.
“The Shadoweaver’s pet was among the army, so it’s safe to say this is his doing.”
“He might be trying to draw Everly out. Or doing this to make us give her up,” Tristan muses.
Maxon's eyes narrow as he shoots a sharp glare in his direction.
“The Shadoweaver has a pet?” I ask, incredulous.
Maxon nods, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “A black creature that is half demon, half beast. Crimson eyes and shrouded in darkness. It is said to be able to shift between demon and beast form, though no one has lived to tell what the demon form is.”
With a sudden jolt, I sprang to my feet, overwhelmed by a wave of panic coursing through my veins. “The first night I was here, I saw that beast with the red eyes!” I exclaim, my hands trembling. “I dreamed of it last night. If it is the servant of the Shadoweaver, then it would have told him of my arrival here in Faerie.”
Nix looks completely horrified. “It saw you?”
I nod, unable to speak. It’s like my throat is closing up. Within a second, Maxon is in front of me. His hands firmly planted on my shoulders, he bends down to peer directly into my eyes.
“Hey. It’s okay. You're safe. Calm down,” he whispers gently.
As I struggle to catch my breath, I tightly grasp his wrist, locking eyes with him as I mirror his deep, deliberate breaths.
“That’s it,” he coos. “Deep breaths.”
With a soft, sweeping motion, his thumbs graze my cheeks, prompting me to close my eyes and savor the sensation. Maxon straightens and pulls me into his chest. Once I’m composed and have my emotions under control, I turn around and face the room. Nymeria and Anika each nudge my hands, and I swipe my hands over their heads, wanting nothing more than to bury my face in their fur and hide.
“So, the Shadoweaver needs me in order to break free from his prison?” I look around the room.
Kian rubs the back of his neck, avoiding me. With a fierce expression, Raiden confidently takes a step forward. “He will not get to you.” He raises a fist to his heart and bows. “I swear on my life to protect you until my dying breath.”
My heart slams hard against my chest, and the air seems to be sucked from the room. I sense Maxon’s gratitude and affection through the bond at his friend’s spoken words.
With a courageous stride, Tristan steps forward, his fist held high against his chest. “I, too, will give my life freely to protect you, Everly Baker, from all threats.”
The words of the fae are binding, and I feel its weight settle on my shoulders. There is no way out of the oath except through death. My eyes fill with tears, so many emotions overwhelming me. The last twenty-four hours has been a rollercoaster at best, and a shit show at worst.
“Well, you know how much I hate being left out.” Kian winks and steps next to Tristan, raising his fist to cover his heart. “Princess, I give my word you’ll be safe with me.”
With a smile playing on my lips, I nod my head in acknowledgement.
Maxon walks purposefully past me, heading toward the three fae soldiers he trusted with my life. He clasps each of them on the shoulder, leaning in to whisper words that elude my ears.
Several loud bangs reverberate against the door, and Raiden walks over, swinging the door open. I feel a gentle flutter as Nix lands on my shoulder.
“I’m jealous of all these hot fae men swearing to protect you with their life.”
I chuckle, the sound escaping my lips in a soft huff. I watch as a tall man with dark skin walks in. He is covered in brands, and his long black hair flows around his shoulders.
“The Puca insisted.” Raiden’s eyes roll.
“Nero,” the man corrects.
Raiden frowns. “Right, Nero.”
“Thank you,” Nero replies with a wink, making him blink.
“Nero. What are you doing here?” I ask, giving him a warm smile.
Nero bows and straightens up with a grin. “I heard you had fully awoken. I wanted to come and see for myself. And I was in the area for the coronation of our king.”
“You two know each other?” Maxon asks.
“Nero saved me from a horrible dance with Lord Wallcliffe.”
The sensation of Maxon's irritation slowly spreads through their bond, like a subtle current. Not at Nero, but at Lord Wallcliffe. It appears that the man is not well-liked by anyone. I remember something the others mentioned about Nero before and step forward eagerly.
“Nero, can you get a message to my friends back in the human realm?”
“Of course.”
“Mia and Scarlett shouldn’t be hard to find. Knowing my friends, they would undoubtedly be searching for me. Do you want the address?”
Nero shakes his head. “I already know where they are.”
“How?”
Nero winks. “When I heard the lost druid princess had returned through the gate from the human realm, I wanted to know how she had been living all these years. Your friends, as you say, were very easy to find. They have not given up hope in finding you. Stirring up quite a ruckus.”
My eyes sting with tears, and my heart feels heavy with the pain I've caused them, but also grateful they haven't given up on me. Taking a deep breath, I quickly wipe away my tears.
“Could you let them know I’m safe and I’m happy?”
“They won’t believe me for a second.” Nero raises an eyebrow.
That’s true they would probably kidnap him to get answers. I chew my lip and look out the window. “Tell them . . . Tell them, the weather is beautiful here. There is no need for the blue umbrella.”
Everyone in the room trades confused looks, but Nero grins, the brands on his body swirling. “Done.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, doing my best to hold back tears. When I initially began going on my hikes, the girls would consistently urge me to bring along additional supplies. Back when I used to live with them, Scarlett would often attempt to secretly slip a blue umbrella into my backpack, along with a bag of skittles, and a rape whistle.
Nero tilts his head, studying me. “How do you feel? I see you and the crown prince wasted no time in joining.”
A red blush heats my face, and I lift my fingers to my own markings on my face. “Well, when you know, you know,” I murmur.
“Touché.”
“How did you know who I was?” I ask.
“Makeup can’t hide the birthmark of druid royalty from everyone, princess.”
“Oh.”
Maxon leans over, his warm breath tickling my skin, and gently presses his lips against my temple. “I’m going to go and fill my aunt in about Nolan. Tristan and Kian will stay with you.”
“Okay,” I breathe.
I watch him and Raiden exit and Nero bows. “I will leave you to it, princess, and we will see each other again.”