“Everly, there is no black and white when it comes to the morality of the Fae. Self-interest always guides our decisions. Unseelie is no more good or bad than Seelie. But in saying that, the Seelie high fae will trick you into your own destruction if given the chance,” Maxon says.
“The high fae have the beauty of angels, but the hearts of demons. The Seelie more so, as they think they are set way above the rest of us.” Zaria's response is nonchalant, her gaze moving to Maxon. “No offense, Your Highness.”
Maxon smirks, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he tilts his head and shrugs. “None taken.”
“Good to know,” I reply, looking at each of them in turn.
I hear the flutter of wings and turn to see Nix landing on the chair next to me. Her large sapphire eyes that are shaped like innocent orbs, transform into slits of anger as she focuses her full attention on me.
“What I want to know is why did you leave the tree?”
The sudden change in topic catches me off guard and leaves me speechless.
“Well?” she demands.
I blink, taking a small step back from the full force of her fury. Honestly, she is terrifying for something so small and cute.
“I heard the sound of water. You may recall me telling you I needed water. You told me there wasn’t any close,” I reply, giving her a pointed look.
“There isn’t,” she says, her face scrunching in confusion.
I blink. “Wait, what?”
“There isn’t a stream near the tree. The closest stream is a half day’s walk.”
“But I saw a stream. I washed up and filled my water bottle.”
The room was suddenly filled with an eerie silence, leaving an unsettling stillness in the air.
“Are you sure?” Nix whispers.
“Yes.”
Nix bobs her head, looking over at the others before returning her gaze to me. “Why didn’t you return to the tree?”
The question has a shiver running up my spine, making me wrap my arms around my waist in an attempt to feel secure. I sense Maxon move closer to me, as if sensing my unease, and his touch on my shoulder immediately calms my anxiety. As I look up at him, I notice the warmth in his eyes and the gentle curve of his smile.
“What did you see?” he asks softly, almost coaxing me to speak.
A weak laugh escapes my lips. “I don’t know. It was a horrible creature; one I hope to never see again. It wanted to hurt me. Its intentions were as clear to me as if they were my own.” I pause, thinking. I sensed the intention of the Fae in the fields, too. Have I always been able to do that? Is it only bad intentions I can pick up on?
Maxon’s gentle touch on my arm brings me back to reality, and I continue.
“I just ran and didn’t stop. But I think something stopped it when I crossed the stream. I heard its screams, but I didn’t dare look back. After a while, I finally reached the grassy field where you found me.”
“What did this creature look like?” Raiden inquires.
I flick my gaze to his, and I’m momentarily mesmerized by the swirling silver depths. “A giant ass human spider, only with two arms and two legs. Its skin was gray and it had a deformed head. Milky eyes that were sunken in, gaunt looking, and fast—so fast. It was creepy. I could go a lifetime without seeing that again.” I shudder.
“A deadling . . .”, Zaria gasps. “They haven’t been seen in–”
“Centuries,” Raiden finishes, his gaze narrowing on me.
Zaria steps forward, basically pushing Maxon out of her way as she grabs my hands. “How did you outrun it?”
I shrug, giving her a weak smile. “I listened to my gut and ran for the stream. Once I crossed it, I was safe.”
Zaria frowns, then shakes her head. “Well, I’m glad you’re okay and you got away. Deadlings don’t usually come to the surface.”
