Maxon’s bright, jewel-like eyes shine as they look at me. “Don’t say sorry for touching me. I want nothing more than for you to touch me.”
A flurry of butterflies fills my stomach, and I move in closer. His hand reaches up and cradles my face as he leans in, and I can smell the comforting scent of his skin as my breath stalls in my lungs.
Before our lips can touch, a sharp pain pierces my chest, and I hear a loud thud from the dome as I break away from Maxon, gasping for air. Another thud hits the dome, and I scream out in pain, my hand gripping my chest.
Maxon frowns in confusion. “What’s wrong?” he demands, trying to grab hold of my shoulders.
A chill runs down my spine as my eyes widen with the understanding of what is occurring.
“Tell them to stop!” I plead.
“What?”
“The vines, they are chopping the vines, I can feel their pain. I’m still connected to them!” I gasp as another sharp pain steals my breath. I can feel tears rolling down my face and realization dawns in Maxon’s eyes.
“Raiden STOP!!” Maxon bellows.
A wave of relief sweeps over me as I sink down on the grass, lying down and welcoming the stillness that fills the air. I close my eyes and feel the tears still streaming down my cheeks. I picture the vine twisting and turning, scuttling back toward the castle wall. I feel a light caress on my cheek, and when I open my eyes, I am met with Maxon’s worried gaze and the azure of the sky.
Chaos erupts as the queen’s guards move in to surround us.
Chapter twenty-seven
Everly
Maxon’s gaze hardens, and the muscles in his jaw tighten as his head snaps up. He scans the area, taking in the sight of the guards encircling us. The sound of their heavy boot’s echo, bleeding tension into the atmosphere, as they draw their swords. Raiden inches closer, his presence intensifying the situation. Maxon stands, his hand reaching out, intending to help me up. I swallow roughly and slip my hand in his, the touch of his warm palm providing a comforting reassurance amidst the chaos that now surrounds us.
What the hell is happening right now?
“I’m only going to say this once. Back down.” Maxon’s voice has taken on a menacingly calm tone, causing me to hold my breath. I scan the guards and catch a momentary flicker of hesitation in their eyes before it swiftly vanishes.
“We have our orders, Your Highness.”
“Well, I’m giving you new ones,” Maxon argues, taking a step forward, positioning himself slightly in front of me.
I sense Raiden shifting behind me, his intimidating presence unmistakable. They are putting themselves between me and the danger. The air is charged with tension as the guards remain still, their unmoving figures causing my heart to quicken.
Do they not follow Maxon?
I know the soldiers are loyal to Maxon, but are the guards loyal only to the queen?
Maxon’s hand flexes and his obsidian sword swirls to life in his grasp.
Before anyone can make a move, a flash of white appears in my periphery. Maxon must spot it as well, because both of our heads turn, but whatever it is, it’s gone.
My heart rate increases with another flash of white moving behind the guards.
What the–
A thunderous growl pierces the air. Heads turn in every direction, unable to pinpoint the source. Another growl follows shortly after.
“Maxon?” I breathe, my voice caught in my throat.
Out of nowhere, two white wolves soar over the guards and land with a thud in the empty space between us and the guards, their fur bristling. Maxon and Raiden move to intercept them, but I react faster, my fingers forcefully digging into their skin as I grab them.
“NO!” I shout in a panic.
Maxon falters, his intense gaze dropping to mine, and the two wolves turn, lowering their heads, emitting low menacing snarls at the guards.
