Everly
Zaria’s brown eyes take me in, and she bursts out laughing before covering her mouth, her eyes widening in shock. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to laugh, but . . . ” she trails off, and I wave her off, my arms like limp noodles.
“It’s fine. I know exactly how I’m feeling, so I’m sure I look much worse.”
“Nix told me to get a bath ready for you, and I’ve added the tonics to help with restoring energy and muscle recovery.”
Kian’s attention bounces around the group. “I think you're in excellent hands. I’m going to clean up myself.”
“She will manage without you for a while,” Tristan retorts sarcastically.
Ignoring them, I shuffle toward the bathroom.
“Do you need help?” Zaria calls out, but I wave her off.
“I’ll be outside,” I hear Tristan say.
“I’m going to shower,” Kian adds.
“Well, I’m going to be eating.” Nix flies for the cart of food. “I love Rayna’s baking.”
“It’s not for you. It’s Everly’s!” Zaria snaps.
I reach the bathroom and gently close the door, shutting out the noise of the outside world. A heavy sigh escapes my lips, my body feels drained and weary. Not to mention, the constant presence of the others has left me utterly exhausted. My social battery is running on empty, desperately in need of recharging. The only company I crave is Maxon’s. He has only been gone a day, but I already ache for the way his eyes sparkle with mischief, and his smirk lights up my insides.
With a sigh, I push away from the door, stepping over to the bath. The delicate aroma of lavender and oranges permeates the bathroom, soothing my senses. Slowly, I peel off my clothes, my trembling muscles protesting with each movement.
I sink into the inviting warmth of the water, feeling its comforting embrace seep into my weary muscles. The sweet smells rising from the water combine in a fragrant symphony that dances around me. With a gentle sigh, I surrender to the tranquility, closing my eyes and reclining, allowing my head to find solace and respite. As I lay there, I run my hands over my arms, washing away any dust and dirt that clings to me. Sinking a little deeper into the water, I feel a sense of weightlessness as I let out a soft moan. If only Maxon were here to enjoy this moment with me.
I desperately want to know what’s happening. It’s why I kept myself busy training all day. I’d do my head in worrying otherwise.
Who is this elusive Shadoweaver that whispers fear into the hearts of all who hear his name?
As I lie here longer, my eyes drift shut, a wave of sleepiness making my limbs feel heavy. A cool breeze washes over me, and I notice a change in the air temperature. I furrow my brows and sink deeper into the water. Oddly, there is no window in the bathroom, ruling out the possibility of a breeze.
Abruptly, my eyes flicker open and my heart pounds fiercely in my chest. I find myself locking eyes with a pair of piercing violet-blue orbs. Startled, I let out a scream and instinctively throw my hands up, pushing myself out of the tub. The stranger takes a few steps back in surprise as a wall of water seems to materialize between us, creating a barrier.
The bathroom door bangs open, and Zaria's face goes slack in shock, and she shouts something, but I can’t hear over the pounding in my ears. Anger now replaces the shock and I snatch up a towel, wrapping it around myself as Tristan and Nix follow Zaria into the bathroom. They stare at the wall of water between us and the stranger.
“Who the hell are you?” I snap.
The figure on the other side tilts their head, their features distorted, and their gaze fixes oddly on me. I take a menacing step forward, my eyes narrowing. I’m not sure who was controlling the water, him or me, but I can feel the magic humming in the air.
Tristan steps up to my side but doesn’t touch me. “That, princess, is an intruder. The seelie prince, to be precise.”
Shock has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end, and a shiver runs down my spine. How the hell was he able to get in here?
“Prince Maxon will have your head for being in here with his mate!” Tristan yells over the noise of the water.
Reaching out with my mind, I am able to trace the intricate threads of magic, revealing that it’s my power that controls the water. Carefully, I reclaim the magic, observing how the water level steadily decreases before my eyes.
“The prince isn’t here, and I was hoping to be gone with the druid before he found out, but it seems I was ill-informed of her current state of progression and mating status.”
As the water disperses, the seelie prince comes into view, his appearance becoming clear. His long, silvery hair was intricately braided away from his face, and he wears a cold, calculated expression. Surprisingly, his presence exudes a more sinister aura than the Outcasts I encountered upon my arrival.
“How did you know Maxon wasn’t here?” I command, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Same way I knew what room you were in,” he smirks.
