52. Everly
Everly
Chapter fifty-two
Kian and Tristan follow on horseback as Lavina and I ride in a carriage on the short trip through the castle gates and across the meadow that separates the castle from the city. Skora is so beautiful. Vibrant wildflowers paint the landscape, while the gentle breeze causes the long reeds of grass to sway and whisper.
“You know, it’s never looked this magnificent before,” Lavina remarks, surprising me.
We haven’t spoken a word to each other since she asked me for lunch. I don't think I even answered that question verbally; I just nodded like a weirdo.
“It’s truly beautiful,” I breathe.
“It’s all you, you know.”
“I’m not sure how.”
“Your presence here. The plants and wildlife can feel you; they are drawn to you. They feed you magic, and in return, you allow them to thrive. With time, you’ll be able to communicate with them.”
My mouth drops open. “How . . . How could you possibly know that?”
Lavina’s eyes flicker with sadness, which baffles me completely. Turning around, she gazes out over the meadow, completely disregarding my question. Our conversation over, it seems.
Before long, I’m seated at a quaint and cozy restaurant. To my surprise, the place exudes a warm and inviting ambiance that is completely unexpected. Soft music fills the air, gently blending with the murmur of conversations. The walls are white stone with tall wood arched ceilings, and various climbers winding around the beams.
“Not what you were expecting?” Lavina's voice draws my attention from across the small table.
Twisting my ring on my finger I give a half smile. “I expected some high-class, fancy restaurant that would have made me uncomfortable.”
The former queen’s face beams in delight. “I’m glad I could surprise you. So, Maxon tells me you have no family in the human realm?”
My eyebrows raise at the unexpected question. “Uhh . . . no. But Mia and Scarlett are like sisters to me. We would do anything for each other.”
“I’m sorry you had to spend so long in that world. I wish things had been different.”
Once again, I find myself at a loss for words, completely taken aback.
Tucking my hair behind my ear, my fingers stalling on the points. “So do I,” I agree.
The ground rumbles beneath me, and my eyes are drawn to the glasses on the table as they vibrate with the tremors. With a frown, I raise my eyes to see a dark silhouette blotting out the gentle rays of light that were pouring into the room through the front window. Suddenly, a blinding flash and a deafening explosion shatter the tranquility, plunging the restaurant into pitch-blackness.
Black smoke billows in my face, the explosion ringing through my ears as I try to draw in a breath, only to cough as inky tendrils of black mist weave their way through my nostrils and down my throat.
I fan the air in front of my face, gasping, as I grasp the edge of the table, trying to see what was happening. My name echoes through the air, urging me to summon the strength to rise. The ringing in my ears is subsiding, but that explosion took out the front of the restaurant. Lavina gets to her feet, looking around in confusion, and I spot Kian and Tristan with their swords drawn, standing where the front doors used to be.
‘Stóirín, where are you?’
I rub my head, trying to recall the name of the restaurant, my fingers tracing the cut on my forehead. ‘Your aunt’s favorite restaurant.’
‘Stay where you are. I’m on my way.’
‘Where are you?’
Before he can answer, the walls tremble as an earth-shattering roar reverberates from outside, causing fragments of debris to rain down upon us. I crouch, covering my head as bits of debris fall around me. When everything stills, I slowly stand and shift my attention to the shattered windows. A gasp escapes my lips, leaving my mouth agape in utter disbelief.
At the far end of the street looms a massive giant in tattered clothes. I can sense his menacing presence from here, and it sends shivers down my spine. Suddenly, with thunderous footsteps, the colossal figure lunges forward, his massive arms flailing through the air, brushing against terrified bystanders desperately fleeing the street for safety.
Lavina stumbles toward me and grabs my arm, tugging me through the destroyed restaurant. “We need to get out of here!”
Reaching the back door, we both push, but something is blocking it. Probably rubble from the crumbling building. Together, we push relentlessly, exerting all our strength, until it finally yields, and we burst out onto the sidewalk. The warmth of the sunlight instantly embraces us, and I shield my eyes from the blinding light. The piercing screams and frantic yelling reverberate through the cobblestone streets.
“What is happening?” I breathe.
“Look.” Lavina draws my attention to where she is pointing, and I see something that takes my breath away.
Maxon and Raiden are in the street, their swords gleaming, readying themselves for battle. The obsidian sword forms in Maxon’s spare hand, his face set in a murderous glare. My heart races as at least a dozen deadlings slam into them.
Maxon’s movements are a sight to behold as he flawlessly wields both swords. The two of them are moving so fast, I can’t keep track. The sound of steel slicing through the air creates a symphony of danger and skill, an impressive show that I would admire if his life weren’t hanging in the balance.
My breath catches in my throat as a flood of people rush into the streets, heading straight toward the approaching deadlings. Above the chaos, I hear Maxon’s furious roar, resonating with an overwhelming power. Raiden swiftly soars into the sky as flames engulf Maxon’s body. He unleashes a scorching wave, engulfing the Deadlings in a fiery inferno. The air fills with their agonizing shrieks, echoing as their bodies convulse in a futile attempt to escape the searing flames.
“We need to leave!” Lavina grabs my hand again.
“What about Kian and Tristan?!”
“They will catch up.”
Together, we sprint toward the castle. My hair flows behind me like ribbons, and I’m grateful for the fighting attire I’m wearing; it allows for effortless movement and speed. We reach a corner and come to a sudden halt. A shiver runs down my spine and my blood freezes at the sight before us.
Deadlings. Their elongated limbs and sharp claws lunge at groups of soldiers and civilians. The air is filled with their menacing howls. I spot Tristan and Kian, both their swords glinting in the sunlight as they slice cleanly through the deadlings’ bodies, severing limbs, and silencing their eerie screeches.
How did they get in front of us?
However, their efforts are in vain. The defeated deadlings seem to be replaced almost immediately by new ones emerging from the shadows and surrounding them with an unrelenting force. The group of soldiers is outnumbered.
“We need to do something!” I implore over the noise to Lavina.
Before I have time to move or even draw in my next breath, Lavina suddenly shifts, placing herself in front of me, blood dribbling down her chin. The long sharp claws of a deadling are buried in her neck, the other in her chest. Shock washes over me, leaving me rooted to the spot in complete stillness. Lavina’s purple eyes flare, and she spins, reaching for the creature. As she does, its claws tear from her chest, and slice open her neck. Her fingers wrap around its unnatural head, and with a quick twist, she snaps its neck. The crack seems to echo around us, and the deadling falls to the ground with a muted thud.
Lavina turns to face me, her face ashen as blood bubbles in her mouth, spilling down her chin. Blood spreads rapidly over her dress as we stand here, staring at each other. My brain finally catches up to the events that have just unfolded, and I let out a piercing cry. Terror seizes my heart in a fierce grip, and I stretch my arms out to catch her before she hits the ground, slowly lowering her.
“Why?” I beg her, desperately trying to cover her wound and stop the bleeding.
“Shhh . . . It’s okay, Vera.”
I jump in surprise at her words, mentioning the nickname reserved for those who were closest to me in my childhood.
“What did you call me?”
Her voice is strained as she speaks. “Your mother and I . . . grew up together. We were”—she swallows—“best friends for a long time. I wanted to tell you.” Her expression is filled with regret. “I was going to tell you.”
It becomes hard to breathe as a feeling of sorrow overwhelms my heart. She knew my mother?
A sob breaks free, and I gently stroke her hair, trying to offer her comfort.
“I used to visit her a lot when you were very young.” The barest hint of a smile tugs at the corners of her lips. “I loved your mother dearly . . . I could never let harm come to her child.”
“I’m so sorry,” I weep, lifting her to my chest.
"Take care of him.” A soft wheeze escapes her throat a moment before her eyes turn glassy.
No.
No. No. No. How could this happen?
‘Everly? What's wrong?’ Maxon’s desperate voice fills my head.
‘Oh my god, Maxon, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t see it coming and she, she . . . ’
I hear shouts from the soldiers, and look up, seeing two deadlings closing in on me. My connection with Maxon is lost, and I gently rest Lavina’s head on the ground before standing. My heart pounds in my chest, threatening to burst through my ribcage as a surge of emotions courses through me. Screams and shouts echo through the streets as smoke rises in the air.
The air crackles with magic as the fae use their abilities to push back the hordes of deadlings. Shifters lunge at them, their sharp claws aiming to bring them down swiftly.
My gaze drops to my blood-soaked hands, the chaos around me becoming muted. This feels unreal. Wrong. Turning my hands over, my eyes travel up my arms that are streaked with Lavina’s blood. My fingers tremble. Anger surges through me, a searing rage that burns like wildfire in my veins. My vision sharpens, and magic floods every inch of my body. More shouts. I snap my head up, locking eyes with a deadling as it lunges through the air at me, claws reaching out. Time seems to slow, and in a fluid motion, I pull my dagger from its sheath at my waist. Stepping into the attack, I grab the deadling by the throat. Its icy skin beneath my grip, I drive the blade into its temple, a scream ripping from my throat.
Without missing a beat, I yank the dagger free and sprint forward, my attention locked on another deadling, my feet pounding against the ground. I duck beneath its outstretched claw and come up behind it, both hands around the hilt as I plunge my dagger into the base of its neck. The impact sends a shock through my arms, but there’s no time to think. The fight isn’t over yet.
A hand lands on my shoulder and I spin, ready to attack, but Kian blocks my arm. “Hey, it's me.”
Ignoring him completely, I drop my arm and press forward, making my way to the soldiers. I extend my hand to the fountain in the middle of the square, and a powerful column of water emerges, shooting sky high. With intense focus, I tilt my head and silently convey a message into the earth. Within seconds, vines erupt along the ground, ripping the deadlings away from the soldiers. Their claws scrape along the ground as the vines drag them toward the water.
The noise of their howls and screeches fade into the background as the column of water engulfs them, drowning out their cries. The vines slowly retreat back into the ground. I watch as a face appears in the water, mirroring the one I witnessed that day by the stream when I first encountered the frostflare. Its ethereal smile graces my vision, before the water cascades down, mercilessly falling through the air. The deafening sound of the crashing water mingles with the sickening thud of lifeless bodies sprawling upon the unforgiving stone.
“That’s one way of doing it . . . ” Kian mutters, coming to stand next to me.
“She is dead.” My voice cracks on the admission.
“I know, princess.”
I look up into his lavender eyes. I want to burst into tears, but at this moment, there is no room for an emotional breakdown. Not as the sounds of terror still rage through Skora.
‘Maxon?’
‘I’m here. Are you safe?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Get back to the castle.’
With a frown, I scan the wounded. ‘No.’
‘Everly.’ My name comes out like a curse.
‘I’m helping. I can help.’
‘No, I need you safe.’
‘I know.’
I know Maxon can sense my decision through our bond, just like I can feel his alarm. With determination, I start running toward the piercing screams that are echoing in the distance. Adrenaline fuels my every step.
“Everly, where are you going?!” Tristan bellows. “The castle is the other way!”
“To help!”
The sound of Kian's curse reaches my ears, and in a matter of seconds, he is right beside me. “Are you sure?”
I glare at him in response, and he nods, pride filling his gaze.
I am no longer a helpless human.
I never was.
I am a powerful druid princess.
I won't hide behind walls.
I won’t use others as a shield.
I embrace my true identity.
The air crackles with magic, the energy pulsing through my veins, ready to be unleashed.
The scent of earth and magic fill my nostrils, and I brace myself.
In an instant, Tristan materializes on my other side, giving me a resolute nod. “Let's do this, princess.”