The crowd has been silent the entire time since Maxon called me to his side, only faint murmurs among a few. As Maxon addresses the crowd once more, I intertwine my arm with his, drawing on his warmth and strength.
“It is with immense pleasure that I introduce to you my heart and soul, Everly Baker. The last druid princess, daughter of King Oleander.”
Cheers erupt from the crowd, along with murmurs of excitement and shock.
Lavina steps forward, and the crowd takes a moment to calm down. When they do, she faces us, and I am really confused by the look she is giving us. I really thought she hated me.
‘She did in the beginning when she thought you were a human spy, here to lure me down the wrong path.’
I jolt inwardly.‘Well, now I’m a druid she is approving then?’
‘Yes.’
I can't stop my eyes from rolling.
“Your presence here today marks not only a union of hearts but a fusion of destinies, intertwining the fate of two souls who have found solace and strength in each other’s embrace.
“Together, Maxon and Everly, you stand as a testament to the enduring magic of love in our fae realm. Your union heralds a new chapter in our history—one that promises prosperity, unity, and an abundance of joy for generations to come.”
I look out over all those gathered, my eyes drawn to the back of the crowd, where a hooded figure stands motionless, their face obscured by the shadows. I can feel the unwavering focus as if they can see right into the depths of my soul, and I know it’s Valric.
Thoughts race through my mind, each one like a jagged puzzle piece, trying to fit together the fragments of Valric’s motives. Does he believe I have abandoned him? Is he hurt by my choice to stay with Maxon? The uncertainty gnaws at me, fueling my inner turmoil. The weight of guilt presses down on my shoulders, making it difficult to draw a steady breath. Deep down, I still care for Valric. The bond we once shared cannot be easily severed. He still is my true paladin, bound by oath to keep me safe.
In the midst of the crowd, Zaria and Rayna spot me and make their way over. It is impossible to miss their huge, bright smiles, which brings a sense of joy to me. The festivities are in full swing, with music and dancing, while I am completely exhausted and barely able to stand. I notice I don't possess the same level of energy as these fae creatures. I also haven’t spent a lot of time outside as of late, and I really need to recharge in the garden. As a druid, my magic flows from the very essence of the natural world, and being surrounded by its beauty is essential for me to recharge and restore my abilities. No wonder I was so drawn to the gardens when I first arrived, and hiked in the human world every weekend. The vibrant colors, soothing scents, and the gentle rustling of leaves have always captivated me. Little did I know that it was more than just a personal preference; it was an instinctual need to connect with nature and replenish my druidic powers.
“Everly!” Rayna laughs, wrapping her arms around me. “You look absolutely amazing in this dress.”
The bubbly shifter playfully spins me around, and I feel a rush of dizziness as my surroundings become a blur. I lose my balance and stumble to the side, but Zaria is there in an instant, grabbing hold of my arm to steady me.
“You okay?”
“I wasn’t expecting that.” I laugh.
Zaria’s eyes linger on my dress, and a warm smile spreads across her face. “The shimmering gold and vibrant green colorstruly work wonders on you. It really makes your skin glow and captivates the hue of your green eyes.”
I lower my gaze toward the exquisite ball dress, expertly chosen by Zaria, and glide my fingers delicately across the velvety smoothness of the satin fabric, relishing its gentle caress against my skin. The off-the-shoulder ballgown accentuates my curves beautifully, hugging my upper body, while gracefully flaring at the waist like a classic gown.
“I can’t believe the king put you on the spot like that.” Rayna’s brown eyes are sparkling. “Everyone was wondering who the gorgeous fae was with the king’s personal guards. The whole of Skora is so excited to have the lost princess here and marrying our king.”
My fingers instinctively graze my pointed ear, a tangible reminder that I am still adjusting to these unfamiliar traits.
“Not everyone,” I murmur, having caught the cautious stares of some.
Zaria waves her hand. “There are always some who will oppose. We all know the prophecy. Just like we all know your magic will not destroy the realm. The past occurrences are not going to be repeated. I don’t know who brainwashed the others into their plans to kill your family, but the king would not let that happen again. He would slaughter any who try, and I’d be right there with him.”
Rayna and I stare at Zaria for a moment. Even Asrai seems shocked by her outburst. Her dual-colored eyes are wide in disbelief.
“Wow, Z. Really going for it there.” Rayna nervously glances around.
“Well, it’s true. Everly has us at her back, and anyone who tries to harm her under false accusations will meet their end swiftly.”
I reach for Zaria's hand, my chest swelling with a mix of emotions that I am suddenly finding it hard to contain.
“I’m so lucky to have you as a friend.” Sniffing, I can't help but feel a burning sensation in my eyes. “Great, now I’m going to cry.” I laugh.
Rayna grins. “You two are cute. But seriously, Z, easy on the talk, you need to be cautious. There are people who don’t want the courts to reconcile. They prefer this division, and we still haven’t identified the spy.”
Somehow, with everything that has been going on, I forgot about the spy. As of now, Nolan is locked away in the dungeons, eagerly anticipating Maxon's decision regarding his punishment. Nonetheless, we are still unable to make any progress in uncovering the identity of the individual providing information to the unseelie prince.
