Nolan moves to the front of the group, glaring at me. “She cannot be trusted, Your Highness.”
“Bullshit. Put your weapons down. This is your final warning.”
At Maxon’s words, his own soldiers move in, surrounding the queen’s guards. Their hands are poised on the hilts of their swords, ready to unsheathe them at a moment’s notice, awaiting the orders of their commander and prince. Warmth fills me as Maxon’s soldiers show how unwaveringly devoted they are to him, ready to confront the queen’s guard at his command. Even so, if I can intervene—show them the wolves are no threat, that I am no threat—maybe they will back down.
“They won’t hurt any of us!” I shout so everyone can hear.
“You don’t know that,” snaps Nolan. “And what of you? You’ve been lying to us the entire time.”
“I honestly didn’t know I could do that. I’ve never . . . ” My voice trails off.
I don’t know what to say.
What can I say?
Nolan steps forward, and Maxon’s sword raises in his direction.
“The wolves are–”
I quickly step forward, laying a hand on Maxon’s arm, and cut Nolan off. “As long as you are not a threat to me, they won’t harm a soul. You have my word.”
I will not let him harm them.
Nolan’s face twists into a scowl. “Your words mean nothing, girl.”
The air crackles and before I can take my next breath, Maxon blurs forward, and in a flash, Nolan is sent hurtling backward through the air before anyone can even react.
“Her words mean everything!” he roars.
Anger swirls like a savage storm around Maxon as he faces the guards. I step forward and gently place my hand on his back, feeling his instinctual need to shield and protect me.
I glance over my shoulder at Raiden, but he arches an eyebrow at the other guards. “Final warning. Back down, I can tell you now that the prince will not ask again.”
In a synchronized motion, the queen’s guards glance at one another. They all shift uneasily on their feet, like they know they are no match for Maxon’s army. One by one, they sheath their swords.
Finally, Maxon turns to face me, his eyes locking with mine. Then they move over to Anika and Nymeria before finally settling on me again. Butterflies swarm through my stomach and chest, making my pulse flutter in anticipation.
“How do you know the white wolves?”
I give a small shrug, my shoulders barely lifting as I try to minimize the importance. “I know them because I am their guardian, and they are mine.”
All eyes turn to me in astonishment, a heavy silence filling the air. The wolves sit on either side of me, my hands scratching between their ears. I feel the strength and power of their bodies next to me, and a deep sense of kinship.
Maxon studies me for several long moments before running a hand through his hair and letting out a deep sigh. “You are full of surprises.”
The guards and soldiers shift nervously, their unease palpable. Without a word, Maxon raises his hands, commanding the attention of those gathered.
“Everly and the wolves are not a threat. Our primary concern is the Vurien. They need to be moved back to the caves.” Thenhe looks to the guards, who are still surrounded by his men. “You will help. Everly and I will be going to see the queen.”
Stepping closer, Maxon’s hands find my neck, his touch both gentle and possessive as his thumbs stroke my jaw. Those violet eyes search my face. For what, I’m not sure. My breath catches when he tips my head back, those fingers sinking into my hair.
“Who exactly are you, Everly Baker?” he whispers, his mouth moving closer to mine.
“That’s exactly what I want to know,” snorts Raiden beside us.
Chapter twenty-eight
Maxon
