I lunge, but before I can move an inch closer, Yumekui appears in a swirl of shadows, her grip iron-tight as she tugs on the chain around my neck. The force yanks me back, my body straining against her pull.
“No!” I roar, my fury burning hotter with each passing second. My glare locks on the Shadoweaver.
She watches me, calm and unbothered, as though my rage is nothing more than an inconvenience.
“If you tell me what she is up to, I can call off my army.”
I grit my teeth, my jaw popping under the pressure. She sighs and waves me off.
“Very well.”
With that, I’m dragged from the cavern.
Chapter sixty
Everly
The early morning sunlight bouncing off the fresh snow is almost blinding, filling the air with a crisp, shimmering brightness. The cold bites, but the beauty of it all is distracting. I squint, adjusting the hood on my cloak as I trudge through the powder toward the horses. Their breaths form little clouds, hanging briefly before vanishing into the morning chill.
The sound of the snow crunching under my boots is oddly calming as I reach for the bag of oats, approaching Storm. His ears flick forward, alert, and he watches me intently. I hold out a handful of oats and he steps forward, his breath warm against my palm as he carefully nibbles the food. His dark eyes, framed by his thick, glossy lashes, are as expressive as ever, and I smile, lost in the silent connection that exists between us.
Once he finishes, I drop the bag back down and step closer, running my hands gently over his cheeks, feeling the softness of his coat beneath my fingers.
“You’re such a beautiful horse,” I whisper, feeling an unexpected swell of emotion.
Storm presses his nose into my shoulder, and a soft laugh escapes me. I’m not sure if he’s looking for more food or just offering his version of comfort, but either way, his presence steadies me.
“We’re going to get him back, Storm,” I promise quietly, more to myself than to him.
A flicker of movement in the snow catches my eye, and I turn to see a frostflare perched gracefully atop a rock jutting out from the snowdrift, watching me with an almost unnerving stillness. Its silver eyes catch the light, gleaming like polished diamonds, and as it shifts, its fur seems to ripple like water caught in sunlight, almost as if it were made of frost and moonlight woven together.
It watches me, head tilted slightly. A slight smile pulls at the corners of my lips as I watch the frostflare in return. Then, with a graceful sweep of its tail, it turns and vanishes into the snow-dappled shadows. I watch the place where it disappeared for a moment and see figures approaching. I blink, my mind not quite catching onto what I’m seeing. Am I hallucinating?
I take several steps forward, waiting for the apparition to disappear. But it doesn’t. The figures are still approaching. The sound of Raiden’s wings reaches me before I see him, a deep, rhythmic beat that vibrates the air. And then, in an instant, his massive, hulking frame appears before me, blocking everything else from view.
I hear a soft rustle, and Valric steps up beside him, silent and steady. His hand rests on the hilt of his sword.
I glance over to where the others stand at the edge of the rocky outcrop, swords drawn and at the ready. But it’s Anikaand Nymeria who truly catch my attention. They’re lounging off to the side, each with their head on their paws, tails flicking lazily. They don’t look worried at all. I know that if anything truly threatened me, they would be the first to leap to my defense. Plus, the frostflare didn’t seem worried either. It was more like he was trying to draw my attention to the group.
Pulling my shoulders back, I gather my courage, ducking under Raiden’s wing, and stand in front of him to face the group of six fae that have stopped a few yards away.
My mouth falls open in awe, my arms falling slack at my sides as I stare. These fae are unlike any beings I’ve ever seen, stunning in a way that seems to defy both nature and magic. Their skin is a pale, icy blue, covered in intricate white markings that swirl and dance over their arms and faces. Every exposed inch of their skin is covered in these symbols, as if they were etched by winter itself.
Despite the biting cold, they seem utterly unaffected, dressed in flowing garments that ripple in the wind. Thin leather belts hug their waists, with arm guards to match. Leather necklaces hang around their necks in layers, each one with a different stone. Every one of them carries a bow slung across their backs, quivers filled with arrows.
Their hair, as white as freshly fallen snow, whips around their faces in the wind, framing high cheekbones and sharp, ethereal features. But it’s their eyes that truly capture me. They’re the most striking shade of blue I’ve ever seen, shimmering like gems, clear and intense, as if each holds a piece of the northern skies.
One of the women steps forward, her intense blue eyes locked on me as if I’m the only person here. “We havebeen watching you.” Her voice is soft and haunting, carrying on the wind like a whisper.
“That’s not creepy at all,” I hear Kian mutter from behind.
“My wolves made me aware of your presence last night,” I reply, keeping my voice steady. I sense Raiden and Valric tense beside me, their postures tightening.
The woman tilts her head, a look of curiosity crossing her delicate features. “Yet you didn’t sound the alarm or send your warriors to find us?”
I shrug, giving her a small smile. “It was cold,” I explain lightly. “They needed rest, and honestly, I doubt they would have found you.”
“Hey,” Raiden objects, his wings shifting slightly in irritation. I glance up at him, meeting his gaze with a raised brow.
