I feel the blood drain from my face and rapidly flow back in, nausea swirling in the pit of my stomach. Her fingers release their grip on my chin, and she steps back, crossing to her armchair to take a seat.
“Sit,” she demands, not sparing me a glance.
I stand there a moment and consider what she’d do if I turn around and walk out. Kian gently nudges me, I begrudgingly make my way over to the chairs, and take a seat. I can feel Kian's protective gaze on my back as he takes up his stance behind me, making me feel so much more at ease.
“Now I want you to recall everything that happened leading up to you arriving here.”
“I already told you.”
The queen shoots me a look. “I want details. We are missing something. You arriving when you did can’t be a coincidence.”
I bit my lip as I think back. “Well, like I told you, I was out hiking with two friends. One second, they were behind me and the next second, they were gone.”
“Who are these friends of yours?”
The corners of my lips turn down. “They are none of your concern.” I will not draw Mia and Scarlett into my mess. I’m not sure if the queen has the means to send anyone after them, but I am not taking the chance.
“Well, they were the only other beings with you when you stumbled into my realm. I’m just curious.”
“They had nothing to do with this. Maybe you should check your gates?”
Queen Lavina crosses one leg over the other, toying with her pendant as she rests back in her armchair. A slight smirk plays at the corners of her lips, making that sense of dread resurface.
“I have.” She pauses. “They are sealed tightly shut. It also shows the gate was opened by someone from the other side.”
“I did not open the gate,” I grit, feeling my patience wane.
A wicked gleam enters Queen Lavina's eyes as she runs the pendant back and forth along the chain. “You care for these friends of yours?”
“You know I do,” I reply, straightening my shoulders.
“Well, since I can’t touch a hair on your precious head . . . ”
I can't help the feral growl that rumbles from my throat, causing the queen's eyes to flash with a dangerous light. The silver ring lining her violet eyes seems to pulse with power, and I can feel her waiting for me to slip up and give her a reason to lock me away. As it stands, Maxon is the only thing that remains between me and the dungeons.
“You wouldn’t dare,” I whisper, my hands curling into fists on my knees.
The queen uncrosses her legs and leans forward. “I think you misjudge me.”
I snort. “Unlikely.”
Suddenly, the doors bang open and a very pissed off Maxon storms in. The black cloak of his uniform flows behind him as his heavy boots eat up the distance between us. His piercing gaze remains fixed solely on the Queen as he halts a foot away. I can feel the power rolling off him, and not for the first time, I wonder just what he is capable of. The air around him crackles with an unmistakable energy, causing my heart to race.
“This meeting is over,” Maxon growls, glaring at the queen.
The tone of his voice is so icy that I can’t stop the shiver that runs down my spine. He is totally pissed.
Queen Lavina stands, her expression soft and innocent. It’s all an act, and it makes my skin crawl. It's like she strives to please him and keep him content. Why?
So he doesn’t question her?
“You know I’m only doing this to protect our people. I must know what she is hiding.”
“Kian, take Everly to the gardens. I will meet you there shortly.”
Kian bows and tilts his head at me, beckoning me to follow. I hesitate, glancing over at Maxon, but his entire focus is on his aunt. I swiftly rise and walk past Kian, who firmly closes the door behind us. Quietly, we make our way down the hall toward the gardens.
“Is she always that intense?” I murmur, not wanting to speak too loud in case someone is listening.
