Everly moves to my side, her eyes remaining fixed on the man with the striking silver hair. Looking into his eyes, I am immediately struck by the depth of emotion they convey.
Who was he to her?
“Princess Vera.” His voice is tender as he inclines his head.
Everly gasps, her hands covering her mouth. “Valric!”
The fae smiles warmly at her and sheaths his sword. “At your service.”
“What? No fucking way!” Tristan growls.
“How are you here?” Everly asks him, and I can see she is holding herself back from going to him.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for your return.”
“You’re her paladin?” Kian sounds stunned.
Her paladin?
I shake my head. It seems in my absence I've missed out on a few things. “You storm my castle and kill my people, all to get to Everly?” I snarl.
The lady’s maid shifts on her feet, and I see Nolan discreetly shake his head at her. Without hesitation, I point my sword in her direction. “Don’t even think about running or I’ll cut you from navel to neck.”
Her throat bobs and she drops her eyes, exposing her neck. Everly's anger builds again, I can sense the shift in her energy.
“Eve, right?” she asks the woman.
The woman's head tilts upward, and she responds with a nod.
“So it was you and Nolan, then? You allowed the seelie prince access to my rooms. Informed the Outcasts of our movements.”
Her eyes widen. “The seelie prince was here?”
With a subtle nod from me, Raiden has Eve by the throat, his dagger positioned over her heart.
Valric and Nolan advance, the gleaming tip of my sword aimed directly at Valric’s throat. Valric hesitantly raises his hands, while Nolan stands frozen in place, the weight of tension palpable in the atmosphere.
“We have a lot to discuss. Answer my questions and she will live,” I growl.
Valric looks pissed, but join the fucking club. The flames of my fire are flickering dangerously under my skin, and I am barely keeping it at bay. The amount of anger and betrayal surging through me is inconceivable.
Tristan and Kian come to stand at my back, Everly between the two of them. I glare at the two fae behind Valric.
“All of you, sit,” I order, nodding to the daybed.
All three men walk over and reluctantly take a seat. Before anyone can utter another word, Nymeria and Anika smash through my chamber doors, the magic wards visibly wavering. The wards don’t let anyone in my chambers who wishes me harm. But just because they don't mean me harm at that moment doesn't guarantee their intentions won't turn malicious.
In a moment of panic, everyone freezes, and Rayna lets out a frightened yelp, instinctively seeking protection behind Zaria, who stands from the sofa to face the wolves.
“Perfect timing, you two,” I greet the wolves. “Mind making sure no one moves?”
The wolves snarl in the direction of the three Outcasts, and trot forward, coming to sit at either side of Everly and myself.
Glancing at the person I’ve relied on for years, I lock eyes with Nolan, the light from the swaying curtains casting shadows on his face.
“Nolan,” I demand, the sound of my voice echoing through the quiet room, “I want to know every detail of your recent activities.”
“Maxon, I did this for you. Can’t you see she was bewitching you? She doesn’t belong here. She is one of them.”
