Love and possession wrap around my heart as Maxon deepens the kiss, his tongue driving into my mouth. My stomach dips violently at the feel of his tongue sliding against mine, setting me off.
Maxon’s kiss muffles my cries as I come apart, trembling on his lap. I’m panting and shaky, collapsing my forehead on his shoulder.
‘That was . . . wow. You didn’t even take my clothes off.’
Maxon chuckles, the sound bringing a warmth to my chest and a smile to my lips.
Chapter forty-seven
Everly
Aknock at the door has us breaking apart. Maxon slides me from his lap onto the sofa, giving me a quick kiss as he stands.
“Wait here.”
He strides over to the door and opens it. Nymeria follows closely behind, her paws softly padding on the ground. My face lights up with a smile. The wolves have developed a love and protectiveness toward Maxon, similar to how they feel toward me.
Maxon steps aside and lets Raiden in, followed by Tristan, Kian, and Nix.
“They want to know about Escalle,” Raiden explains, crossing his arms and flaring his wings slightly. Something I’ve noticed he does when he is irritated.
Maxon’s eyes flash, and I can sense his reluctance as he and Raiden share a look.
“What did you discover in Escalle?” Tristan questions.
“Is it bad?” I ask.
Maxon rubs his fingers over his forehead as if trying to rid himself of the impending headache. “The town was indeed taken out by a horde of deadlings, leaving behind a trail of destruction and the stench of decay. It was worse than I thought it would be.”
“They are trying to get our attention. They want something,” Raiden adds.
All eyes turn to me. None hold any accusations, but I feel it all the same. Guilt has a way of slithering inside of you, taking up space and snuffing out your light.
Nix flutters down and lands on my knee. “This isn’t your fault. The Shadoweaver would have sensed your arrival, and he would have sent a scout out looking for you. He has been locked away for centuries, dormant. Only waking when someone with enough power came along to break him free from his prison.”
“Are you sure it's this Shadoweaver?’ I ask.
“The Shadoweaver’s pet was among the army, so it’s safe to say this is his doing.”
“He might be trying to draw Everly out. Or doing this to make us give her up,” Tristan muses.
Maxon's eyes narrow as he shoots a sharp glare in his direction.
“The Shadoweaver has a pet?” I ask, incredulous.
Maxon nods, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “A black creature that is half demon, half beast. Crimson eyes and shrouded in darkness. It is said to be able to shift between demon and beast form, though no one has lived to tell what the demon form is.”
With a sudden jolt, I sprang to my feet, overwhelmed by a wave of panic coursing through my veins. “The first night I was here, I saw that beast with the red eyes!” I exclaim, my handstrembling. “I dreamed of it last night. If it is the servant of the Shadoweaver, then it would have told him of my arrival here in Faerie.”
Nix looks completely horrified. “It saw you?”
I nod, unable to speak. It’s like my throat is closing up. Within a second, Maxon is in front of me. His hands firmly planted on my shoulders, he bends down to peer directly into my eyes.
“Hey. It’s okay. You're safe. Calm down,” he whispers gently.
As I struggle to catch my breath, I tightly grasp his wrist, locking eyes with him as I mirror his deep, deliberate breaths.
“That’s it,” he coos. “Deep breaths.”
