His words settle heavily on me, but I nod, determination hardening in my gut. “By the sun, the moon, and the stars, I will do whatever it takes,” I declare firmly.
Barak studies me for a moment longer, then inclines his head. “Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, your true journey begins.”
As he walks away, I lean back against the log I’m sitting on, my eyes drifting up to the stars glittering against the inky-black sky. He’s right, I need rest.
Nymeria and Anika move silently by my side, their presence a comforting shadow as we make our way to the small hut Zaria and I have been assigned to share. The cool night air carries with it the faint scent of pine and the distant hum of laughter and music from the still-active feast. My wolves remain vigilant, their watchful eyes scanning the shadows, though I doubt there’s any real danger here among the Skythari Nomads.
At the edge of the village, three luxaryn rest like silent sentinels. Their feathered wings catch the moonlight, giving them an otherworldly glow. They are as still as statues, but I know better than to be fooled by their calm appearance. The one that has chosen me—the one whose piercing gaze I’ve felt all evening—watches me still. Its eyes are like twin beacons, tracking my every move with a quiet intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.
Kaden’s words echo in my mind:They’re perceptive creatures. They read more than your actions; they read your heart, your intentions.
I didn’t fully understand his meaning until now. It isn’t just about trust; it is about baring my soul, letting the luxaryn see every shadow, every secret. The thought is unsettling, but there’s no avoiding it. Whatever bond I am forming with this creature, it goes far deeper than I expected.
Inside the hut, the soft glow of a single lantern casts flickering shadows across the wooden walls. Zaria has already slipped inside, her gear carefully stowed, and is sound asleep when I enter. Nymeria and Anika settle near the door, their watchful eyes never leaving me.
I drop onto the small cot with a sigh, rolling my head to ease the lingering tension from the day. Peering over my shoulder, I glance out the small window, my gaze drifting back to the luxaryn at the village's edge. It hasn’t moved, but I can still feel its presence.
Lying back on the cot, I let out a slow, measured breath in an attempt to calm the storm churning just beneath the surface. But the moment my eyes close, my thoughts rush straight to the bond—and to Maxon. It quivers faintly, like a thread pulled too tight, vibrating with unease. I can feel it fraying at the edges, weakening with every second, and the realization claws at me.
Panic flickers—sharp and breathless. If the bond breaks . . .
I press a hand to my ribs, as if I could hold it together by sheer will. The silence around me only makes the absence louder.
I need to see him. Now.
Chapter sixty-six
Maxon
My mind drifts, heavy and sluggish, as I sit here, head lolling forward every few seconds. Sleep claws at me, demanding surrender, at the same time that my body screams for sustenance. I need sleep, I need food, and blood, but most of all, I need Everly. My throat is parched, every swallow a razor’s edge. My gums ache insistently, a reminder of the hunger that gnaws at me. It’s been a few days since I fed from Everly, and the punishment my body has endured since then has been pure torture.
I barely register the touch at first, too lost in the haze of exhaustion. Then gentle hands cup my face, firm yet impossibly tender, lifting it upward. My eyes flutter open, and instinct stirs—a snarl building in my throat, ready to lash out at whoever dares to touch me. But the sound dies before it can form.
Jeweled green eyes stare back at me, shimmering with tears. Her tears. My breath catches, the sight cutting through the fog like a blade.
“Stóirín,” I whisper, the word escaping me on a breath.
Her lip quivers, and she leans closer, her voice trembling but strong enough to wrap around me like a lifeline. “A chroí.” My heart.
Everly’s face is radiant despite the shadows, her beauty undiminished by the worry etched into her features. She leans forward, her soft lips brushing against mine in the gentlest of kisses, a touch so fleeting and delicate it feels like a dream. The sweetest scent of roses and jasmine fills my lungs, chasing away the damp stench of the cavern.
“You smell amazing,” I groan, my cracked lips parting on an inhale. “Like home.”
“I am your home,” she breathes. “I’m coming for you, Maxon. I promise. I won’t leave you here.”
I close the gap and press my lips to hers. “I know, but you shouldn’t be here. If they find out, they can trap you. Please, you need to leave.”
“You need to feed first.” She maneuvers herself on my lap, and lifts my bound wrists over her head. I slip them around her and down her body to rest against her lower back. Her skin is warm and soft beneath my fingers. Without hesitation, I pull her in tighter, needing the contact. My cock stiffens against her, aching from the nearness of her, from the sweet, maddening heat radiating between us.
"You smell amazing." I murmur.
Without taking her eyes from mine, she drags her hair over one shoulder and brings her neck closer. “Feed. Keep up your strength. I know you're trying to keep your pain from me, but I can feel the bond weakening, Maxon. Drink. Please.” There is a slight wobble in her voice that gives me pause.
I lean forward as much as the bones around my neck will let me and run my tongue over her skin. Everly shivers in response, pressing closer. My fangs descend, sharp and eager, piercing her flesh with a primal urgency. The moment her blood fills my mouth, it’s as if the world snaps into focus. Her warmth, her taste—so familiar, so intoxicating—surges through me like a bolt of lightning, setting every nerve alight. My senses sharpen; the pain of my captivity dulls beneath the heady rush of her essence.
Driven by instinct, I rock my hips upward, desperate for the friction my body craves. Everly’s breathy moans echo around the cavern, a melody that fuels the fire raging inside me. Her hands fumble at my waistband, trembling with haste as she works my pants down just enough to free me. The cool air hits my cock briefly before her warm fingers wrap around it, her grip firm yet tender, her touch electric.
She guides me to her entrance, positioning herself above me. When she sinks down, her heat envelops me completely, and I’m lost—dizzy, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of her. My teeth sink deeper, drawing in more of her blood as she grinds down on me, rocking her hips with a rhythm that leaves me undone. The cavern around us fades into insignificance; all that exists is her—her taste, her scent, her body moving with mine.
