Chapter Listen
The soft rustling of leaves in the breeze offers a temporary reprieve from the chaos in my head. My eyes drift across the courtyard, catching sight of the guards in their sage-green uniforms patrolling the grounds.
And then, like a whisper carried on the wind, I hear it.
‘Listen.’
The word is soft, almost tender, yet unmistakable. I blink and glance around, searching for the source.
No one’s near me. The guards are too far away to have spoken, and none of them seems to have noticed anything unusual. Yet the word lingers in the air, tugging at something deep inside me.
A warm breeze curls around my body, brushing against my skin. It sends the loose long-sleeved, light blue night dress floating around me.
‘Listen and follow. He will be waiting.’
Instinctively, I close my eyes and find the thread connecting us. I reach out slowly, running my fingers softly over it, feeling its warmth.
‘Well, I’m listening, but for what?’
I feel like I’ve done this a million times. It’s always the same. I feel the bond. It’s here but silent.
What does she mean?
Steadying myself with a deep breath, I do something I haven’t done before.
I slowly open my end of the bond. I let down every wall, every defense, peeling back layer after layer of my guarded heart until all that remains is the bare essence of who I am and what I feel.
I send wave after wave of love, warmth, and longing into the space between us, pouring everything into the bond, hoping it reaches him, that it’s enough.
‘Maxon?’
The silence lingers, thick and oppressive, until I feel a tremor—a faint, electric pulse. And then, like a soft whisper, his voice stirs, faint but unmistakable.
“Everly.”
Elation swells, a rush of joy and relief surging through me, pulsing louder with every breath.
“I’m here.” The words tumble out in a rush, as if he might slip away if I don’t say them fast enough.
There’s a pause, and then his voice again, warm and achingly familiar. “Everly.”
The sound of my name on his lips, a calling meant only for me, unlocks something deep inside.
I let everything else fall away—every worry, every fear, even the hollow ache that’s been weighing me down.
I surrender to the pull of his voice, letting it guide me forward, deeper into the connection.
I drift completely weightless, pulled through the endless space between us.
And then, suddenly, I’m jolted, and my feet hit solid ground, my eyes fly open. The bond buzzes, alive now, vibrating faintly.
Confused, I look around, my breath halting in my lungs as a wave of awareness skates across my skin. The thick darkness of the night surrounds me as I stand in the middle of a meadow. I swallow roughly, turning in a slow circle.
How did I get here? Where is here? Am I dreaming?
I swear I was so close to reaching him. I do my best not to let the crushing weight of disappointment settle over me.
Then a soft, indistinguishable noise reaches my ears, and I freeze in fear, my feet rooted to the spot.
Knees trembling, I take a small step forward in the long grass, sending thousands of fireflies scattering into the cool night air. Someone is watching me. I can feel it in every inch of my body. I strain, listening for movement or any sound.
“I know you're there!” I call out. My fingers flicker over the place my dagger is usually strapped, and once again, I’m only in a light silk night dress.
Shit.
“Everly?”
My heart stalls at the sound of that voice, then a warmth blooms through me. Excitement flows like liquid fire, filling my veins as I look out into the darkness, adrenaline coursing through me.
“Maxon?”
Movement catches my attention as a figure walks toward me. I hold my breath as they approach, doing my best to push down the uncertainty that's rising. After the Witte Wieven, I’m not sure what to expect.
Fireflies swirl around the grass, their golden glow illuminating the darkness in gentle, pulsing waves.
The entire field seems to breathe with light, as if the stars themselves have drifted down to dance around us.
Their delicate brightness is just enough for me to see who is approaching from the shadows.
I stand completely frozen, my breath caught on an inhale as the figure steps closer. It is him.
Maxon moves with quiet, deliberate steps, his white tunic and black pants looking immaculate even in the dim light.
He stops just in front of me, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from him.
My heart is beating so damn hard I swear I will pass out any minute.
His presence is overwhelming, commanding the space between us.
I’m rooted in place, unable to look away.
Slowly, he raises his hand. His fingertips brush my cheek, and I shiver as he cups my face, his touch both firm and tender.
His thumb glides across my cheek, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.
“Don’t cry,” he whispers.
I choke on a laugh. I didn’t even realize I’ve been crying. He draws closer, and the warmth radiating from his body slides over my exposed skin. My hands land on his chest as I search those deep violet eyes I love so much.
“Are you . . . Is this . . . ” I can’t seem to get the words out. “Is this real?”
A grin tugs at his lips before his mouth drops.
His lips brush mine, unhurried. My body leans in, unconsciously drawn to him, and I feel the strong, steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.
A soft whimper escapes me, and Maxon’s grip tightens, his arm sweeping around my waist. In one swift motion, he pulls me flush against him, our bodies pressing together as if we were made to fit this way.
His kiss deepens, and I melt into it, surrendering completely to the intensity of his touch.
My mind is a haze, every thought drowned by the intoxicating taste of him.
Our kiss grows more urgent, more demanding, his tongue finding mine in a rhythm that feels like it could set my very soul on fire.
I can’t get enough of him—his warmth, his strength, his very presence envelops me, grounding me in a moment that feels both fragile and infinite.
How can this be real? This is him. He is here. But how?
Logic slips away, lost in the heat between us.
If this is a dream, I am determined to live every second of it, to drink in every sensation before it fades.
My fingers twist into the fabric of his tunic, pulling him impossibly closer, my need for him growing with a desperation I’ve never felt before.
I press myself against him, aching to erase every inch of space between us, to feel nothing but him and the fire blazing between us.
Maxon carefully eases us down onto the billowing waves of tall grass, the sensation of the soft blades tickling our skin as we continue to kiss.
I gasp as he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth before trailing kisses down my neck and across my collarbone.
My body is on fire, my core like liquid heat as he trails his hand up my body, cupping my breast. I lose my breath as he slips the strap of my nightgown down over my shoulder, his lips following its path, exposing my breast. My fingers thread into his hair, and I anchor him to me, as his mouth latches onto my nipple.
My back arches and I rock my hips upward, needing to feel him even closer. In desperation, I tear at his tunic, needing it gone.
“Maxon, please,” I beg.
Lifting his head, those violet eyes flicker with a heat I've missed dearly.
He slides his palm down my stomach and between my legs, his eyes never leaving mine as he presses two fingers inside me.
My breath rushes out and I tip my head back on a moan.
Maxon pauses his movements and leans closer to my face.
“You have fangs,” he breathes.
“Huh?” I reply, confused.
His hand leaves me, but before I can protest, his mouth is on mine. He kisses me, long and deep, his tongue sliding over my teeth.
“You do have your fangs,” he says wickedly as he pulls away, the words making my stomach flip.
“Raiden said something about having to feed on the new moon. Can we? Is it possible?”
Maxon’s eyes light up. His hands slide up my thighs, bunching the thin fabric of my nightgown at my waist. Without hesitation, his mouth finds its mark, covering my most sensitive spot.
A deep, primal growl escapes his throat as his tongue begins to swirl, teasing and tormenting before he draws me fully into his mouth, the sensation both electric and consuming.
“Oh . . . holy–” My mouth drops open as waves of endorphins flood my body, sending every nerve in my body on fire.
Maxon growls, the vibrations shooting through my core, as he presses his fingers inside me, curling them and rubbing along my inner walls. He sucks and thrusts in the perfect rhythm, making my head spin.
My hips jerk and words tumble from my mouth as he continues as if he were starving for me. Heat engulfs my body as my orgasm rips through me, lighting up the air around me with golden sparks.
Oh, fuck . . .
I scream, my fingers digging into the dirt beneath me as I struggle to catch my breath.
Suddenly a violent searing pain radiates from my inner thigh, and a strange pulling sensation washes over me, sending my orgasm into overdrive.
My entire body is shaking uncontrollably, as my back bows.
I glance down, seeing Maxon’s mouth locked onto my inner thigh, his fangs sinking deep into my flesh.
The sharp puncture sends a jolt through me, but it's the slow, deliberate pull of my blood that overwhelms my senses. Each drag of his lips draws my pulse in a thunderous rhythm, the sound pounding in my ears. A wave of arousal floods me, making my muscles tremble, thighs shaking beneath his grip. I can’t stop the whimper that escapes me, the heat growing unbearable as my own fangs ache, needing release.
Maxon’s violet eyes flick up, catching mine, and the raw hunger in his gaze sends my body reeling.
My head grows lighter with each pull, my breath hitching as I fight to stay grounded, though I feel like I’m drifting—losing myself in him.
The line between pain and pleasure blurs as his mouth lingers, drawing deeper, tasting me.
Maxon keeps drinking, each pull of my blood making my head swim. My vision blurs, and the world tilts as I try to hold onto some sense of balance. “Maxon,” I slur, barely recognizing my own voice. The sound of my pulse is deafening, pounding in my ears as if it’s trying to escape.
His mouth releases me abruptly, and I hear a violent curse burst from him, filled with tension and something close to regret.
The absence of his bite leaves a strange emptiness in its place, and before I can process it, I’m being lifted, my body moving as if I weigh nothing at all.
I’m cradled in his lap, my cheek pressed against the warmth of his chest, while his arms wrap around me.
His grip tightens, one hand cradling the back of my head, and I can feel the rapid rise and fall of his chest.
“Stóirín, drink from me.” He guides my head to his neck, wrapping my legs around his waist.
My mouth trails slowly over his shoulder to his neck, the smell of him making my mouth water.
“I shouldn’t have taken so much, but the damage to my body . . . ” He trails off with a sigh.
A tremor runs through my body, quick and sharp, at the regret in his voice. It isn’t his fault. My eyes flutter and the urge to taste him overrides all other senses.
My mouth clamps over the spot where his neck meets his shoulder, and my fangs slide into his skin effortlessly. Immediately, warm liquid fills my mouth, the taste of his blood coating my tongue. It’s coppery with a burst of citrus. I moan, drawing deeper, his blood and magic filling my veins.
“That’s it, Stóirín, drink,” Maxon murmurs, his hand running through my hair.
I feel him grow hard beneath me and wriggle on his lap. Maxon hisses, his fingers digging into my hips, rocking me against his cock.
I release his neck on a moan and slowly run my tongue over the bite mark.
I reach up, gripping each side of his face as I slam my mouth down on his, nipping hard at his bottom lip.
Maxon’s groan spurs me on, and I lift slightly, his cock sliding through my wet heat.
His hot, rough hands grip my ass cheeks and squeeze, rocking me over him.
His growl is possessive and feral when he feels how wet I am.
Lights dance behind my eyes as he pushes in. My breath catches. I forgot how big he is. I whine as he stretches me, our panting growing louder. I want to sink down on him, but I need to adjust.
“Relax,” Maxon murmurs in my ear, sending goosebumps scattering across my skin. I drop my head to his shoulder as he lifts his hips, working his way deeper. I do as he says and melt into him, sinking down further.
“That's my girl,” he says, rocking into me, this time pushing in all the way.
Panting, I pull back just enough to steady myself, my hands still gripping his shoulders as we move together in a slow, rocking rhythm.
His body feels like it’s on fire beneath my palms, every muscle tense and coiled with barely contained hunger.
My gaze locks onto his face, and for a moment, I lose myself in the intensity of his violet eyes.
They glow in the dim light, but something shifts—flickers of red flames dance there, bright and consuming, as if something far more primal stirs within him.
“Beautiful.” His voice is a husky growl, roughened by desire. He reaches up, tugging gently on a strand of my hair, his fingers curling into it.
Before I can reply, before I can even catch my breath, he moves, shifting with predatory grace.
His strong hands grip my waist, and in a fluid motion, I’m on my back, the world spinning as he presses me into the grass.
Then, with a restless desperation, he thrusts into me, driving so deep it steals the air from my lungs.
The force of it tears a scream from my throat, a raw sound that echoes in the air as the overwhelming mix of pleasure and pain collides.
I’m spiraling, tumbling into the sensation, my body quaking beneath him as each thrust pushes me closer to release. The dizzying pleasure builds and builds until it feels like I might shatter, my nerves on fire, my senses drowning in him.
Suddenly, the world narrows and stars explode behind my eyes, blinding in their brilliance, and for a moment, I can’t tell where I end, and he begins. Pleasure crashes over me, violent and consuming, dragging me under until all I can feel is him.