“Your body is shaped with elegant curves. You stand out among the rest. You're not heavy, not for me, and definitely not for the horse.”
His words make my heart pound in my chest, causing a sickening feeling to wash over me. I feel like there are unsaid words, or it could just be my insecurities about my weight that have me feeling like this. Maxon has never once shown anything but an overwhelming attraction to the curves of my body. It’s as if I have time-traveled back to high school, feeling just as low about myself as I did back then. I think my heightened emotions from our recent experience are clouding my judgment. With a slight tilt of his head, Maxon carefully observes every detail of my face.
“What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?” I snap.
I want to scream at him after everything we just went through. My emotions are already at an all-time high. Plus, I can’t seem to get a read on his emotions, but I’m sure as hell he can sense mine just fine. Maxon tilts his head, his gaze never wavering. “Like what?”
I grit my teeth and push all my anger and frustration his way.
“Like you're pissed off at me. Tell me what I did? Because if it’s leaving your side, Tristan told me that–”
Maxon tenderly grabs hold of my face, stalling my words as he drops his head, his lips softly brushing against mine, rendering me speechless.
“I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at the situation. And Everly, my Stóirín, you have to know how beautiful you are. Your curves set you apart from everyone else. I love the way you are.” His hands drop from my face and skim down my neck, over my shoulders, and down my sides. Gripping my hips, he pulls me flush against him. “You have nothing to worry about. You are all I see. All I want. And I apologize if I gave off the impression that I was mad at you. I'm just trying to piece a few things together,” he murmurs, reaching up and tucking some loose hair behind my ear.
“You were looking at me, weird,” I sulk, needing him to know how he made me feel.
“I was trying to determine if you were aware of what you had done.”
My eyes roam his face as I try to think of what he could possibly be talking about.
“But all I can feel is your confusion,” he breathes with a heavy sigh.
Maxon takes a step back, extending his hand toward me, and I reach out to grasp it. Making our way to Nova's side, he tenderly removes the bandage I somehow managed to create. I draw in a sharp breath, feeling the rush of adrenaline as I push past him.
“Where is the wound?” I ask, running my fingers over her red-stained white coat. Nova's muscles twitch undermy touch, eliciting a shiver down my spine, and when Maxon remains silent, I twist my body to catch a glimpse of his expression.
“You healed her.”
“Me? What? No.” My heart takes off, and a sick feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. There’s no way.
The sound of the others talking over one another reaches my ears. Their voices grow louder as they debate on which way to go in the quickly fading daylight. Maxon rests his hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently.
“Don’t worry, we will figure it out. For now, keep this between us.” His voice holds an edge that makes my skin prickle.
Nodding, I swallow over the nerves building in my throat. What is happening to me?
I let him lead me over to the others. Zaria catches my eye, her furrowed brows reflecting her concerns. “Are you okay?” she asks gently.
“Yes,” I reply hoarsely.
It seems like Tristan is healing just fine as he paces and runs a frustrated hand through his dark hair, leaving it tousled and unruly. Kian stands leaning against a tree, his ankles crossed and arms folded, observing Tristan's internal conflict.
“We need to head west.” Maxon’s voice is stern as he addresses everyone.
"But west will take us away from where we need to be,” Raiden counters, looking confused.
“Yes, but it will take us around the bog.”
Zaria moves toward Raiden’s ash-colored horse and climbs on, her tail whipping back and forth. “Then let’s go. I don’t want to be in the forest when night falls.”
I can't help but watch them as Raiden looks up at her, his expression melting into one of affection. “You’ll be safe, Z.”
Zaria lets out a snort, rolling her eyes.
Tristan shifts his attention toward me, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “You coming here has set something in motion.”
He doesn't sound mad, just distrusting, like I’m not who he thought I was. I open my mouth to reassure him but what could I say? A pang of sympathy moves through me at the worry etched on his face. I can sense that there is an underlying meaning to his reaction. Something I’m not privy to. Maxon steps in front of me, blocking my view with his broad back.
