Uncertainty fills me, I don’t know what’s going on or why I’m here. Who any of these Fae are, or who I can trust?
“Can someone tell me what’s going on?”
“Why don’t you tell us?” the hulking Fae questions.
“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking now would I, Batman!”
“Batman?”
I gesture to his wings, and he laughs, a rumbling sound coming from deep in his throat. Zaria lifts her hand to hide her smile and Maxon chuckles from next to me. Nix's eyes twinkle with amusement as I lock my gaze with hers. In a swift motion, she flies over and hovers before me, her wings fluttering softly in the air.
“I’m sorry I took so long, but my friend, Raiden here”—she gestures to the winged Fae—“was hunting, and it took a bit to find him.”
Zaria steps forward. “We shouldn’t talk here, not out in the open.”
“She’s right,” Maxon replies. “We will go to my chambers.”
I stand firm, putting my hand on my hips. “Why should I trust any of you?”
“I’ve saved you, twice now,” Maxon counters, a smirk tugging at his full lips.
He has a point, but still . . .
I steal a quick look at Zaria, and she offers a slight nod in my direction. I feel my resolve waver, like a fragile thread about to snap.
Ultimately, I am entrusting my life to a group of complete strangers. And not just any strangers, but fae. It is a thought that I never could have fathomed before. And even though they appear to be genuine, I can’t help but feel a sense of unease.
Chapter nine
Everly
I’m guided through the corridors and up several flights of stairs to a separate wing of the castle. My eyes take in all the details around me from the high ceilings to the intricate details of the wooden banisters, and the cracks and imperfections in some of the smooth stonework. Every detail tells a story, a whispered secret I wish I knew.
Maxon pushes open a set of large wooden doors carved with golden vines similar to the markings on his face, and at his touch the carvings glimmer. My footsteps slow, my mouth dropping open in awe. We enter the room behind him, and the heavy doors close with a resounding thud. I notice a faint shimmer emanating from them, and as I do, a tingling sensation travels over my skin, causing me to instinctively rub my arms.
“What was that?” I ask, looking around the room.
“Magic,” Zaria answers.
“My rooms are warded,” Maxon adds.
It’s like what I experienced before in the forest as I stepped through the gate. It’s a familiar sensation. The others gather in the sitting area, their footsteps echoing softly in the room. Two additional doors on the opposite side beckon me to explore. A sudden urge to satisfy my curiosity consumes me. It’s a weakness of mine, always drawn to places I shouldn’t be. However, never did I expect it would lead me to another realm. A soft chuckle escapes my lips, and I see Zaria’s ears twitching as she shifts her gaze toward me.
I clear my throat, looking around at the group before me. “Why does the queen think a high fae brought me here?”
Maxon strides over to the double glass window, unlatching it and allowing the wind to blow in, causing the sheer curtains to sway gently in the breeze. I immediately feel a sense of calmness as the breeze wraps around me.
“In order to enter Faerie, a human must either be invited or possess their own magical capabilities to open the gates. Those on the other side aren't strong enough to open the gates alone. Only a handful possess the required magic to do so.”
I blink and throw my hands in the air with exasperation. “Well, I didn’t have anyone bring me here, and I’m not magic, so what else you got?”
Raiden, with his muscular physique, folds his massive arms over his chest and huffs out a disbelieving chuckle, the sound dripping with mockery, causing irritation to seep into my bones.
“It’s the truth!” I snap.
“Well, if what you say is true, and no one invited you here, then we can only assume you hold some type of magic,” Zaria argues.
“Doubt it,” I mutter, plonking down on one of the velvet sofas.
