My heart thuds wildly in my chest as I take in her appearance, she looks like a fucking goddess fully awakened in her fae form. The sight alone drives me to the brink of madness. Everly was stunning before, but now there is just something magical surrounding her. Of course, it could just be that we are now mated, and the sensation of seeing my mark on her face has intensified my desire beyond measure. So, I excuse myself, allowing Everly to step into the shower in fear that I might lose control.
Watching her transform over the past few days has been truly astounding. It’s as if a light has been ignited within her, illuminating her true self. Did I panic when she lost consciousness after our bonding? Fuck, yes . . .
Actually, I became a bit unhinged until Zaria explained the situation to me.
Her body had gone through a lot. The spell that was keeping her identity hidden was also preventing her Renascitur, which usually happens slowly over time, but it hit her all at once, putting her body into shock. Had we not bonded, I would hate to think of the pain she would have felt. But because we had, I was able to do my best to temper the pain and soothe her while she slept.
When I hear the shower turn on, I start pacing the room. I should feel relieved she’s awake, but all I can sense is a cloud of confusion. Everly’s confusion. She is bound to have questions. And they’re questions I cannot answer.
Fuck,Ihave questions.
Like how the fuck did the druid fucking princess end up hidden in the human realm for twenty fucking years?
A knock at the door has me calling on my sword, my protective instincts flaring to the surface. The door opens, and Zaria's wide eyes meet mine, her gaze flickering to the sword in my hand. Sensing her discomfort, I release a heavy sigh, realizing that my reaction may have been too extreme. I drop my arm, and the weight of the sword dissipates as it vanishes into thin air. Zaria’s expression softens slightly as she watches me.
“I didn’t mean to startle you, Zaria. Please, come in.”
Zaria clears her throat and slips inside, shutting the door behind her. Then her eyes travel to the empty bed.
“She’s awake?”
“Yes.”
Zaria's shoulders drop, her voice barely audible. “Thank the goddess, Aine. I was getting worried. Does she remember anything?”
I run a hand through my hair and slump down in the chair. “Some, I think. She was shocked by her appearance. I don't even know how to explain what it means to be fully mated or fae.”
“You’ll figure it out.”
I huff a laugh. “Glad you think so.”
“Just be honest with her. A lot has changed. Her whole life was taken from her. She would have felt the effect of being stuck in the human realm. Though she might not have understood it.”
I nod, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees. “At least we know how she was able to transport herself through the portal. She has so much untrained power.”
Zaria looks worried as she makes quick work of stripping the sheets from the bed and rolling them up.
“What’s bothering you, Z?”
Her head snaps up, and her face lights up with a wide grin. “You haven’t called me that since we were kids.”
I rest my chin in my hand and smile. “I remember you spying on Raiden and me, before you joined our friend circle. You were quite good at it, which is probably why Raiden chose you as his in-house spy.”
Zaria's face flushes, and she clears her throat. “I did not spy on you two.”
I tip my head back and let out a laugh. “You were not fooling anyone, Z. Your crush on Raiden was so obvious.”
A pillow flies at my face, and I swiftly catch it before it can hit. With a mischievous grin, Zaria sticks her tongue out at me and proceeds to fluff up another pillow.
“It’s okay, Z. You two suit each other.”
Her ears twitch and she stops making the bed to stare at me. “You really think so?”
“Of course.”
Zaria bites her lip, a brief moment of hesitation passing through her, before she nods and continues her task. I furrow my brow and rise to my feet, striding over to lend her a hand.
“Tell me, have you or Nix come any closer to who the mole is?”
