Zaria wraps her arms around her middle, shifting on her feet as Tristan looks around at us all.
“Are you fucking kidding me? That was her?” He points at Everly. “She made the vines move?”
“Well, dar . . . ” Kian replies, rolling his eyes. “Why do you think the queen’s guard surrounded them?”
Tristan's gaze focuses on me, but I set my jaw and return the stare. “Everyone was tight lipped about what happened,” he grits out through clenched teeth.
I know they’re all on edge, and with the attack just now, unsettled, but until I know for sure, I’m not going to say anything.
“We will continue this when we reach our destination,” I reply instead.
I want out of this forest. Before we run into any more surprises. Yes, I probably should have confirmed these rumors before assigning Tristan and Kain to this mission, but I want to be sure.
I pivot and stride over to Nova, evaluating her injuries. Everly moves to my side, her hands clasped in front of her, fingers trembling slightly.
“Will she be okay?”
“Did you do this?” I gesture to the plant bandages covering the wounds.
“Oh. Umm, yes.”
I crouch down and carefully peel back the layers, feeling a rush of surprise wash over me, before carefully placing it back over the now healed wound. From my position, I twist my body and gaze up at Everly, tilting my head in deep contemplation. I can’t feel anything from her other than worry and confusion. With a sigh, I look back at Nova and feel the warmth of her snow-white coat against my hand as I stroke her before getting up.
“Will she be able to make the trip?” Everly asks, her voice cracking with emotions.
“Yes, she will make the trip just fine.”
I run a hand over my face and walk to Nova’s front. With a gentle tug on her reins, she responds by shifting her weight, testing the strength of her healed injuries, before standing.
Chapterthirty-three
Everly
My mouth drops open as I watch Nova stand. Crimson red blood mars the pristine beauty of her white coat on both sides. But she’s standing, and my relief at that is instant.
“Oh my god, you're okay,” I whisper, rushing forward. “She is okay, right?” I ask, looking at Maxon as I stroke her neck, feeling tears build in my eyes.
His face is like a mask, devoid of any discernible expression. Swallowing hard, I frown as a lump forms in my throat. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Here, let me help you up.”
“I don’t want to put any strain on her.” I step back.
Maxon pauses, his eyes narrowing as he focuses his full attention on me. “Nova can handle it.”
“No, I weigh too much. ”
I frown as his jaw flexes, I’m not liking the way he is looking at me right now. “Why would you think that?” he questions.
“Ummm . . . ” my fingers twist in my skirt and I drop my gaze.
“Well?”
“What do you mean?” I hiss, looking up at him. I can feel my anger rising, does he really not see? “I’m like three times the size of the other high fae women you're used to, that Nova is used to.”
Maxon’s eyes drop, taking in my body extremely slowly. Anger and desire swirl in my stomach. Argh, does he always have to make my emotions feel like a tangled web?
When his gaze lifts back to mine, his eyes are burning with longing, but the look on his face is less than impressed.
