A sob breaks free, and I gently stroke her hair, trying to offer her comfort.
“I used to visit her a lot when you were very young.” The barest hint of a smile tugs at the corners of her lips. “I loved your mother dearly . . . I could never let harm come to her child.”
“I’m so sorry,” I weep, lifting her to my chest.
"Take care of him.” A soft wheeze escapes her throat a moment before her eyes turn glassy.
No.
No. No. No. How could this happen?
‘Everly? What's wrong?’Maxon’s desperate voice fills my head.
‘Oh my god, Maxon, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t see it coming and she, she . . . ’
I hear shouts from the soldiers, and look up, seeing two deadlings closing in on me. My connection with Maxon is lost, and I gently rest Lavina’s head on the ground before standing. My heart pounds in my chest, threatening to burst through my ribcage as a surge of emotions courses through me. Screams and shouts echo through the streets as smoke rises in the air.
The air crackles with magic as the fae use their abilities to push back the hordes of deadlings. Shifters lunge at them, their sharp claws aiming to bring them down swiftly.
My gaze drops to my blood-soaked hands, the chaos around me becoming muted. This feels unreal. Wrong. Turning my hands over, my eyes travel up my arms that are streaked with Lavina’s blood. My fingers tremble. Anger surges through me, a searing rage that burns like wildfire in my veins. My vision sharpens, and magic floods every inch of my body. More shouts. I snap my head up, locking eyes with a deadling as it lunges through the air at me, claws reaching out. Time seems to slow, and in a fluid motion, I pull my dagger from its sheath at my waist. Stepping into the attack, I grab the deadling by the throat. Its icy skin beneath my grip, I drive the blade into its temple, a scream ripping from my throat.
Without missing a beat, I yank the dagger free and sprint forward, my attention locked on another deadling, my feet poundingagainst the ground. I duck beneath its outstretched claw and come up behind it, both hands around the hilt as I plunge my dagger into the base of its neck. The impact sends a shock through my arms, but there’s no time to think. The fight isn’t over yet.
A hand lands on my shoulder and I spin, ready to attack, but Kian blocks my arm. “Hey, it's me.”
Ignoring him completely, I drop my arm and press forward, making my way to the soldiers. I extend my hand to the fountain in the middle of the square, and a powerful column of water emerges, shooting sky high. With intense focus, I tilt my head and silently convey a message into the earth. Within seconds, vines erupt along the ground, ripping the deadlings away from the soldiers. Their claws scrape along the ground as the vines drag them toward the water.
The noise of their howls and screeches fade into the background as the column of water engulfs them, drowning out their cries. The vines slowly retreat back into the ground. I watch as a face appears in the water, mirroring the one I witnessed that day by the stream when I first encountered the frostflare. Its ethereal smile graces my vision, before the water cascades down, mercilessly falling through the air. The deafening sound of the crashing water mingles with the sickening thud of lifeless bodies sprawling upon the unforgiving stone.
“That’s one way of doing it . . . ” Kian mutters, coming to stand next to me.
“She is dead.” My voice cracks on the admission.
“I know, princess.”
I look up into his lavender eyes. I want to burst into tears, but at this moment, there is no room for an emotional breakdown. Not as the sounds of terror still rage through Skora.
‘Maxon?’
‘I’m here. Are you safe?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Get back to the castle.’
With a frown, I scan the wounded.‘No.’
‘Everly.’My name comes out like a curse.
‘I’m helping. I can help.’
‘No, I need you safe.’
‘I know.’
I know Maxon can sense my decision through our bond, just like I can feel his alarm. With determination, I start running toward the piercing screams that are echoing in the distance. Adrenaline fuels my every step.
“Everly, where are you going?!” Tristan bellows. “The castle is the other way!”
