Zaria’s eyes widen on Maxon. “The duke, he told me to put the guest in here on Nolan’s orders.”
“How did the duke know I had someone with me?”
Silence falls around the group, my gaze bouncing between them.
“Who’s the duke?” I ask.
“Only a pompous ass who thinks his farts don’t stink,” Nix says.
At the sound of Raiden's snort of agreement, Zaria spins around sharply to address them. “Hush, you two.”
Maxon runs a hand over his hair, the strands falling back haphazardly over his face. “The duke is . . . ”
“A pompous ass, like I said.”
“Nix,” Maxon growls, shooting her a look.
“What? I’m just saying what we are all thinking,” she complains, pouting like a child.
“The duke is not someone you want to mess with,” Maxon says cryptically. “The fact he knew I was bringing you here is concerning.”
“We are moving her, then?” Raiden asks.
“Yes, I’ve sent Tristan and Kian to clear a room in my wing.”
Raiden steps forward, but Maxon's raised hand stops him from arguing. “No one will know she is there, but I cannot leave her here. This is a matter of safety. I don’t know if anyone else is aware of this passage, but I’m not taking that chance.”
A shiver creeps across my shoulders, and I feel Raiden’s glare zero in on me. I keep my mouth shut. Nothing I say will do me any favors.
“Why her?” Raiden asks, jutting his chin my way. It’s clear by his dismissive tone he thinks I am nothing more than an annoying bug that has landed on their windshield.
“Raiden!” Zaria hisses.
But Raiden continues, “She shows up acting like she knows nothing, which is impossible, given she ishere. She is trying to stay close to you, moving her closer is a bad idea.” He shakes his head.
The air around me becomes charged with tension, causing me to stand up. Maxon’s energy shifts, becoming more foreboding. I automatically place myself between Raiden and Maxon. My attention is fully focused on Maxon as he stops short. His dark brows lower as he stares down at me. I notice the tightness in his shoulders and the sharpness of his gaze. Raiden thinks I am a threat to Maxon’s safety, and I don’t know how to convince him otherwise. Without thought, I reach my hand out and grab his,letting my thumb stroke over his knuckles. With a brief pause, Maxon blinks twice before letting out a deep sigh.
“Why? Because she is innocent and a human, and the fae world is ruthless.” eyes drop to mine briefly, and the look in them seems distant. I don’t like it. “And even if she wanted to, she couldn’t hurt me.” Maxon says, looking over my head at Raiden and dropping my hand.
I do my best not to wince. I don’t know why, but those words sting a little. Or maybe not the words, but the tone. Mia always playfully teased me about my tendency to openly express my emotions. But it couldn't be helped. When it comes to my feelings, I'm an open book.
Zaria must sense my discomfort because she links her arm in mine, drawing me away from Maxon toward the door. “I will take Everly for a walk, and you guys can figure out the rest. Send Nix when you’ve sorted out a room.”
Before anyone can protest, Zaria has already led me out into the hallway. As soon as the door closes, I feel my muscles relax.
“You okay?” she asks softly as we make our way down the hall.
A strange lump forms in my throat, making it impossible to speak, so I just nod.
Chapter thirteen
Everly
Zaria strolls into my chambers the next morning with Kian, his arms full of garment bags. Tristan steps in and frowns at me before stepping back into the hall and closing the door.
“What’s his problem?”
“You’re human, and you somehow managed to slip away unnoticed,” Kian says, drawing to a stop in front of the large wardrobe where Zaria is waiting.
