“Hey, what do you think you're doing?” an unfamiliar voice bellows.
I jump as a hand lands firmly on my forearm, and I’m yanked with surprising strength. My eyes shift from the fight to find an irritated man with bluish skin glaring up at me. Despite my efforts to pull free, his grip on my arm remains unyielding. His snarl reverberates through the air around us as he forcefully pulls me down onto the ground from the crates. I stumble when my feet hit the ground, but his firm grip on my arm keeps me from falling face-first into the dirt.
“Hey!” I exclaim angrily. “Let me go.”
But the fae doesn’t listen, beginning instead to drag me back toward the gate I came through. I try to halt my movement by digging my heels into the ground, but the slipper shoes Zaria gave me provide no traction. Argh! Crappy delicate fae shoes. I need my boots.
“I said let me go!” I snap, forcefully tugging on his grip.
As preoccupied as I am with fighting the fae, I don't immediately notice the stifling silence that has descended upon us. Abruptly, a dark shape looms over us, causing us to freeze in place.
In one swift motion, Maxon’s arm encircles my waist, pulling me into his side. I feel my face heat as everyone’s gazes lock on me.
Maxon's sword is now pointed at the fae’s throat. “Care to explain what exactly you are doing with her?”
The fae swallows roughly. “She isn’t supposed to be here, Your Highness.”
The tension in the air grows thicker with every passing moment. I cautiously peer up at Maxon. His eyes are blazing in anger.
“Maxon?” I whisper, confused.
The sound of gasps and grumbles from those around me makes me press myself closer to Maxon's side, my fingers gripping the fabric of his black shirt. The arm around my waist gives a small squeeze.
“Do not touch her,” Maxon growls. The sound is low and menacing, making my pulse skitter.
“It’s fine,” I try, but Maxon isn’t listening.
“No one lays a finger on her. Understood?” he commands, addressing the soldiers in the arena.
The weight of everyone’s stare bores down on me, and I can feel my face flush. I try creating distance between us, but Maxon isn’t having any of it. Lowering his sword, he glares at the fae before nodding. Without hesitation, the fae turns and strolls away, disappearing into the crowd.
“That's enough for today. Tomorrow at dawn, everyone is to report here,” Maxon declares firmly to the crowd.
Chaptertwelve
Everly
Everyone disperses quietly, and Maxon grabs my hand, leading me back toward the castle. I replay in my mind every detail of what just occurred. It all seems so surreal. How did he know I was there? He reached me in a matter of seconds, when he was completely focused on his duel.
Maxon's steps slow as he enters through one of the open double doors.
“Who let you out of your room?” he asks, the skin around his mouth tight, as we make our way down the main hall.
Snapping out of my stupor, I rip my arm free of his grip. “I thought you said I wasn’t a prisoner?”
Maxon turns to face me. “You're not. But you're not safe without an escort.”
I snort and cross my arms over my chest. “Sounds like aprisoner.”
Maxon stands in front of me, booted feet braced shoulder width apart and arms crossed, almost mirroring my stance.
“If you want to leave your room, that’s fine, but I have two hand-picked soldiers stationed outside your room for your safety and protection.”
My frown deepens. I don’t remember seeing anyone outside my room when Maxon stopped by earlier.
“How am I supposed to know that?” I snap.
Maxon appears no less dangerous than he did in the arena. It’s clear by the fierce burn of his violet eyes that he is not happy. I should be scared. But I’m not.Out of everyone, he’s the only person who makes me feel completely safe. Which is absurd.
