I stare at Zaria for a long moment, my mind filtering through the implications. Can the others not be trusted? Nix is watching us closely from the sofa still. Unease slithers down my spine and I nod, trepidation making my pulse pick up. The prince’s gaze snaps to mine as if hearing my heart speed up. He frowns at me in question, but I look away.
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Raiden asks, sauntering toward us.
“I could ask you the same thing,” I reply, crossing my arms, the birthmark now feeling like a burn under my shirt.
“I need to go and talk to my aunt,” Maxon says, making his way over. “Zaria will take you back to your room.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
Zaria links her arm with mine and smiles. “Don’t worry, she is in good hands.”
Chapter ten
Everly
Back in my room, Zaria goes straight to the bathroom, and the sound of running water fills the air along with a soft, sweet, flowery scent. Nix flitters over to the cart of food and starts picking through the mass amounts of fruit.
“These are so good.” She hums, biting into a blueberry. “Want some?”
I give her a small smile. “I’m okay.”
Nix narrows her eyes and then shrugs, taking a bite from a grape.
Zaria returns, her eyes scanning the room. “Bath won’t take long.”
“I can’t wait.” Just thinking about a bath, I can almost feel the warm water caressing my skin and the gentle tickle of bubbles.
Zaria reaches up and pulls her chestnut curls back, twisting them into a knot on top of her head.
“Oh, wow!” I exclaim, walking closer and examining her hair.
“What?” Zaria asks, frowning in confusion as she retreats a few paces.
“You don’t have ears!” I blurt.
Zaria rears her head back, her nostrils flaring as her eyes dart over to Nix. Following her gaze, and my eyes land on Nix, who simply sits cross legged on the food cart.
“I have ears,” Zaria corrects, twitching the massive cat ears on her head.
“Yes, but not like everyone else.”
“Well, no. When I got stuck in this form, my fae ears disappeared.”
“I like your ears. They’re cute,” I reply.
Zaria's cat-like eyes blink at me, and I can’t help but notice the pink flush that spreads across her tanned skin.
“Uhh . . . thanks.”
I giggle at her skepticism, feeling a lot more relaxed now that we’re back in my room and away from Maxon and Raiden's probing stares.
“What type of shifter are you?”
Zaria smiles softly. “You have a lot of questions, don’t you?”
“Considering I’m in a completely different world, yeah.”
“I’m a leopard.”
