Chapter 46
Nolan is seated a bit further down the table, his face a mask of unreadable calm. These noble fae are extremely good at remaining aloof. It’s like nothing fazes them.
A few other nobles, whom I haven’t had the chance to meet, are scattered along the length of the table, engaged in quiet conversations.
I can’t shake the feeling of being watched, scrutinized, as if every move I make is being carefully evaluated. The queen’s presence is especially unnerving. Her poised elegance seems to conceal a simmering hostility, and the glances she occasionally throws my way are far from friendly.
Raiden leans in slightly. “Stay calm,” he murmurs softly, his voice barely audible above the clinking of cutlery and murmur of voices.
Tristan and Kian stand behind my chair, barely a few feet away, their presence making me increasingly nervous. They have stayed within arm’s reach the entire time.
Leaning closer, I whisper under my breath, “How is Zaria?”
Raiden’s silver eyes meet mine. “She is sleeping in the carriage. I gave her a tonic from the healers to help her rest. Lutin and Senka are watching over her.”
Sadness and guilt gnaw at my insides.
“I see that look, and it wasn’t your fault,” Raiden says softly.
“She was coming for me.” Anger and hurt edge my words, and the reality of what happened stabs me in the chest.
“Rayna took her own risks,” he counters firmly.
“But if I had been quicker . . . ”
My words linger in the air between us. Raiden’s hand lands on mine, where it rests on the table, and he leans in closer. “Don’t start down that path, Everly. There will be more losses to come. You must not let it weigh you down.”
Before I can respond, Queen Anwyn’s voice cuts through the air, sharp and tinged with false sweetness. “You two seem incredibly close,” she remarks, a fake smile playing on her lips. Her comment makes me straighten in my chair, my cheeks flaring with heat at her implication.
“We are close. Raiden has been like the brother I never had.”
Raiden’s large hand envelops mine and squeezes, and I watch the queen’s eyes track the movement.
“I see. Well, it’s a little misleading the way you whisper between yourselves.”
“What I do isn’t of any concern to you. Do not make up lies in your head. I love my mate, and I will be getting him back.”
Queen Anwyn’s eyes widen, but before she can answer, there is a commotion by the tent’s doors. Immediately, Raiden is on his feet. Wings flared to cover me. Kian and Tristan draw their swords, their eyes sharp and wary, as they begin to slowly pull me out of my seat.
“Nero, what is the meaning of this?” Raiden’s voice booms, the sound making me jump.
Nero?
Pulling my arm free from Kian’s grip, I move out from behind Raiden, curiosity overriding caution. As soon as I see who has entered, a gasp escapes my lips, my hands flying to my mouth.
“Everly!?” two voices I have missed dearly yell out in unison.
I choke on a laugh, emotions clogging my throat as I sprint toward my friends.
I trip on the hem of my dress, lifting the silky material to keep from falling.
Scarlett and Mia close the distance, and we all embrace, tears streaming down our faces.
Scarlett pulls back first, her wild red hair a mess of curls.
She grips my cheeks, tilting my face side to side as if to confirm I’m real.
“It is you!” she breathes, her green eyes wide with disbelief and relief.
“It’s me,” I cry, barely able to get the words out. “How did you get here?”
“He brought us.” Mia points to where Nero stands calmly to the side.
I’m acutely aware of the audience around us, but for a moment, all that matters is that my friends are here. Mia grips my hands tightly, her blue eyes searching mine for any sign of injury or distress.
“Are you okay?” Concern is etched into her features.
“Of course she’s not okay!” Scarlett shouts, her fiery temper flaring. “Who tattooed your face? I know you wouldn’t have done that willingly.” She pushes up her sleeves, looking around the tent with a fierce expression. “Whose ass am I kicking?”
The tension in the room escalates as Scarlett’s defiant stance draws the attention of everyone present. Raiden steps forward, his wings still partially spread in a protective gesture.
“These are my friends,” I explain quickly, my voice wavering with emotion. “They mean no harm.”
Raiden’s gaze softens slightly, though his posture remains tense. He nods to Kian and Tristan, who reluctantly put away their swords but stay close.
Nero steps forward, his expression unreadable. “You have extremely stubborn friends, Everly.”
I swallow hard, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions. “I know.”
Mia and Scarlett flank me, their presence comforting.
“I promised I’d bring them here to see that you’re safe and sound, but given the news I received since returning, it looks as if you might need them here.”
I stare at the dark-skinned warrior in front of me, his golden eyes kind and understanding, the tattoos that cover his body swirling with magic. A tear spills, running down my cheek.
“They took him.”
Stepping forward, he cups my shoulders. “I have no doubt in my mind that you will find him again.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because you, Everly, are the druid heir, the promised one, and you will not break.”
His words sink in, lingering in the quiet spaces inside me.
“No, I won’t break,” I repeat.
“Okay, girl, you have a lot to catch us up on,” Scarlett cuts in. Her voice is light, but I can hear the concern.
“Yes, we do,” I agree, wiping away the tears.
Mia tilts her head as she stares at me. “Like how your eyes are a different color.”
“Or the fact you have a tattoo on your face.”
I grin. “You’re really hung up on this tattoo, Scar.”
“Well, yeah,” Scarlett says in utter exasperation.
Nero clears his throat and bows deeply. “I have to return to the human realm for a bit, but I will be back in a few days to assist in any way I can.”
“Thank you, Nero.”
He gives me a wink. “You got this, Your Majesty.” His golden gaze goes to my friends next. “Behave. Don’t make me regret bringing you here.” With that, he turns and leaves.
Scarlett and Mia’s hands tightly grasp mine. “Your Majesty?” they echo, making me chuckle.
“Like you said, there’s a lot to catch up on.” I turn to face the dining table. “I apologize for the interruption, but I must leave. I appreciate you coming to show your respect for our former queen and those who lost their lives in the attack.”
“This is unacceptable.” Queen Anwyn stands from the table. “You can’t leave halfway through the meal.”
“Now, Mother, it’s been a very long night. Let the princess rest,” Alivar urges, taking a sip of his wine.
Queen Anwyn’s face hardens as she turns to her son. “If you’d have found her first, then we wouldn’t even be here.”
“No, it would probably be you that was dead.” Alivar downs the last of his wine and stands. He shoots me a wink that has my stomach fluttering before staring at his mother. “Everly is exactly where she needs to be. If it were I she was destined to meet, then I have no doubt we would have.”
My heart melts at his words, and for some unexplainable reason, I want to throw my arms around him.
Nolan also stands, straightening out his coat, his cool gaze landing on the Seelie Queen. “After the stunt you pulled in the human realm, sending your nephew to kidnap that young girl, you have no right to criticize anyone, Your Majesty.”
Nolan’s words send a gasp through everyone gathered, and my attention goes to Alivar, but by the look on his face, he had no idea about this.
“I don’t answer to you or anyone else in this room. I’m leaving!” Queen Anwyn declares.
“Don’t let the door hit you on your way out,” Scarlett mutters under her breath, unaware that the fae have extremely good hearing.
Queen Anwyn’s sneer deepens, her lip curling as she looks over my friends with barely concealed disgust. There’s a glint in her eyes, something cold and calculating, and though I have no idea what her magic can do, I can tell she’s weighing her options.
My instincts kick in—I take a smooth, measured step forward, cutting off her view, drawing her attention away from my friends.
“I would leave now while you’re still in my good graces,” I warn, my voice calm but filled with warning.
The room goes still at my words, tension tightening in the air. Everyone is frozen except Nolan, who, unfazed, steps forward with a formal bow. “Let me escort you out, Queen Anwyn,” he urges, his tone polite but firm.
Queen Anwyn’s violet eyes flash with spite, her gaze flickering over us one last time, cutting and scornful, before she turns to follow Nolan, her entourage trailing behind her.
My heart races, though I keep my face impassive.
I know better than to think this is over; Queen Anwyn doesn’t seem like the kind to take defeat easily.
The look she gave me as she left made one thing clear—I’ll need to stay vigilant.
Alivar saunters over, the amusement clear in his gaze, his smirk unmistakably smug. “I’m proud of you,” he murmurs, voice laced with a lazy drawl. “Not many would stand their ground against my mother.”
My cheeks flush, but I manage a small smile. “Like you said, it’s been a trying day. I’m done with drama for now.”
Alivar’s expression softens, and, to my surprise, he reaches for my hand. His fingers curl around mine as he lifts it to his mouth, his lips brushing my skin with a teasing gentleness. My pulse skips at the low growl from Raiden, who steps closer, his expression thunderous. “Don’t test me, Alivar.”
Alivar’s smirk widens, a wicked gleam in his eye. I can see he’s reveling in riling up my friends, enjoying the tension he’s stirring. With a sigh, I slip my hand from his and step back, putting some space between us. Alivar doesn’t miss a beat, his attention moving to my friends.
“These must be your friends from the human world I was told about.” Alivar’s tone is smooth but laced with intrigue. A knot tightens in my stomach as his attention shifts from me to the others.
“Yes, this is Mia,” I reply, gesturing toward her, “and Scarlett.”
Alivar inclines his head in acknowledgment, but his gaze lingers on Scarlett, a glint of curiosity sparking in his eyes.
He takes a step closer, hand slowly reaching toward her fiery red hair.
Scarlett’s eyes narrow, and before his fingers get close, she jerks back. “Don’t even think about touching me.”
A slow, deliberate smile spreads across Alivar’s face, dark and appreciative. “Such lovely creatures,” he murmurs, the words almost a purr.
I step forward, narrowing the gap between us. “Will I see you tomorrow at training?”
“Why the rush, Princess?” he responds, tilting his head.
“You know why, Alivar,” I growl, the heat of my temper rising, flushing my face. “I will not leave Maxon in the hands of that demon.”
“SOOO much to talk about,” Mia notes, her eyes flicking between me and Alivar.
A lump forms in my throat. God, I am tired. Mia and Scarlett—they’re my safe space, a connection to something good and untouched by this world. But bringing them here feels like exposing them to dangers they don’t even know exist.
Alivar stares at me for a moment longer, something unreadable in his gaze, then he turns on his heel.
“I will be back when I can,” he says over his shoulder. “Though I have a feeling my mother will make things difficult for me. But I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it.” With that, he strides out of the tent.
Kian leans closer, his lips quirking up. “Things have certainly turned interesting since you arrived, Princess,” he muses with a hint of humor.
“Understatement,” Tristan snorts.
Scarlett steps away from me, turning to take in the others, her gaze landing on Raiden.
Her eyes widen as she takes in his towering form.
Arms crossed over his chest, Raiden raises an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.
I bite down on mine, stifling a laugh; I know exactly what she’s seeing.
The first time I met Raiden, I had the same reaction.
His sheer size—broad and muscled, with massive, leathery wings folded at his back—is enough to make anyone pause.
Two swords crossed on his back, and the sharp horns curving from his hairline only add to his formidable stance.
“Scarlett, Mia,” I begin, gesturing toward him, “this is Raiden. He’s the General of the Unseelie Armies, and a close friend of mine.”
Scarlett stares a moment longer, then blurts, “You’re huge!” Her cheeks flush as she claps a hand over her mouth.
Raiden’s laugh rumbles out, rich and warm. He grins down at her, inclining his head in a mock bow. “Why, thank you.”
I roll my eyes, stepping between them to link my arms with Mia and Scarlett. “And over here,” I gesture to the others, “are Kian and Tristan.”
Each of them nods in turn, their gazes assessing but welcoming.