He turns to me, his glowing eyes dimming, replaced by the familiar warmth I’ve always known. For a moment, he looks like he’s about to collapse, but he steadies himself, his gaze locking onto mine. There’s a softness there now, a vulnerability.
“Are you hurt?” His voice is hoarse and full of concern.
I shake my head, unable to find the words to respond. Instead, I stand and take a tentative step toward him, my heart still racing. He doesn’t move, letting me close the distance between us. When I’m finally within reach, I place a trembling hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath my palm.
We don’t speak for a long moment, just take each other in, the air thick with unspoken words and emotions. Maxon’s hand reaches up, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle, yet filled with intensity.
“You are so beautiful, My Queen,” he murmurs, his voice lowand reverent.
A tear slips down my cheek, and I reach up with both hands, cupping his face to draw him closer. Our lips meet, and the world seems to pause, leaving only the softness of his kiss and the warmth of his embrace. My stomach flutters as his tongue sweeps in, claiming me in a way only he can.
Then I feel the sharp punch of his panic down the bond. Maxon pulls away, his fingers gliding over my hair, and smoothing down my braid. My body alights at the sensation.
“You shouldn’t have come for me. She has been waiting,” Maxon sighs.
Anger rises swiftly, burning the back of my throat. “I know.”
A soft nudge at my back from Aetheris causes me to break away from Maxon, though his arms immediately encircle my waist, pulling me closer, refusing to let me go. His mouth seeks mine, the kiss neither innocent nor sweet, but one of strength. Of love.
Maxon lifts his head. “We need to go,” he stresses, reluctantly releasing my waist and taking my hand.
‘I will lead the way.’Aetheris turns for the exit.
“No,” I refuse, my voice soft but unwavering. “I want you to take me to her.”
Maxon lifts an eyebrow in surprise, his gaze narrowing as I look up at him. “Why?”
“I want to see the Shadoweaver for myself,” I answer, my voice gaining strength. “Prove that they won’t win. Ever.”
Maxon’s gaze shifts to the tunnel, his indecision evident. I can see the conflict in his eyes, the desire to protect me warring against the knowledge that this is something I must do. Then, without another word, his features harden.
“Okay,” he mutters, his jaw tightening. “I wouldn’t mind seeing her face when she realizes she can’t stop this.”
I turn to Aetheris and scoop up my sword. “Go find Kaden. Get him out of here. We won’t be far behind.”
Aetheris dips her head in acknowledgment. ‘Don’t do anything foolish,’ she warns before disappearing into the tunnel.
Chapter seventy-one
Everly
Istare into the cavern’s shadows, pulse hammering violently in my ears, the surge of blood rushing through my veins like a warning—sharp, urgent, impossible to ignore. The air feels dense and oppressive, shadows clinging stubbornly to every surface. The torches along the walls flicker wildly as if a storm is brewing inside. The magic imprisoning the Shadoweaver is clear before me—a shimmering veil of ancient power, vibrating just four feet away. It pulses with energy, and like opposing magnets pushing against each other, the force repels me, keeping me from drawing closer.
“Where?” I ask, peering up at Maxon.
I can feel his magic, its wildness flowing from him in waves. He wants to storm in there and fight, but he’s holding back.
“She’s in there. What worries me is we haven’t seen the demon,” he murmurs in a low growl.
A sudden noise pulls my attention back to the cavern. I frown, my gaze shifting to another entrance on the far side. My breath hitches, confusion washing over me as I spot Mia being shoved roughly through the doorway. She stumbles, her feet catching on the uneven ground, and she lands hard on her hands and knees. A sharp gasp escapes her lips, but she quickly flips her hair back and twists to glare into the shadows behind her, a snarl curling her lips.
My mind is struggling with what I’m seeing. Senka strolls into the cavern with a smug smirk painted across her face. My heart plummets, a hollow ache blooming in my chest.
It can’t be.
"Senka?" my voice trembles, echoing off the cavern walls.
Senka doesn’t respond. She stands motionless beside Mia, her lilac eyes giving nothing away. The silence between us is deafening.
