I squeeze her hands, feeling a flicker of hope. “Do you think you can shift back into your leopard?”
“I don’t know.”
Taking in the assortment of food in front of me, I reach for a pastry. Bringing it to my lips, I take a small bite, expecting a burst of flavor and the buttery pastry to melt in my mouth but instead it tastes like cardboard. I can’t help but cringe as I force myself to swallow the bite. Everything has lost its taste. With a heavy sigh,I place the pastry back on the cart, and brush the crumbs off my fingers. Backing away from the food, I turn to the balcony and take in the breathtaking view of the garden.
Without warning, a tiny figure darts through the sheer curtains, soaring into the room, stopping less than a foot away from my face.
“Nix! Where have you been? Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine. But I feel like that’s something I should be asking you,” Nix replies, flying forward and flicking me on the forehead.
“Ouch. What was that for?”
Nix shrugs and looks around the room. “Raiden said you found her.”
“Yes.”
Her big sapphire eyes shine with sadness as she meets my gaze. “How is she?”
“She is doing better than I expected.” I sigh, looking over my shoulder at where Zaria disappeared into the bathroom.
Nix’s wings droop, and her tiny shoulders slump. Seeing her dip in the air has my heart skipping a beat, and I quickly reach out, my hands cupped and steady, offering her a place to land. She shoots me a grateful look, her usual spark softened by weariness, and gently glides down, her delicate feet landing in my palm.
Nix pulls her long brown braid over her shoulder, cradling it in her hands as she rests her cheek against it. “It was complete mayhem that day. I saw the smoke and heard the screams from here, but there was nothing I could do.” Her words prick at me like tiny needles.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. All those deadlings.” I shiver.
“The Shadoweaver is making a move,” Nix states. “And they will use Maxon to get to you.”
Chapter sixteen
Everly
Apounding on the door makes me jump, and I frown, making my way over. Swinging it open, I find Raiden standing there, looking worse than I’ve ever seen him.
“Batman?”
“How is she?” he asks immediately, his voice taut with concern. “I wanted to come earlier, but with everything–”
I raise my hand, cutting him off. “She’s okay. She’s shifted back this morning and is taking a shower.”
“Right. Okay.” He exhales sharply. “The Seelie Queen is due to arrive within the hour, and we need to meet before she gets here. There are things to go over.”
“Okay. I’ll get ready now–”
“Raiden?” Zaria’s voice whispers from across the chambers.
Raiden tenses, his attention riveted on Zaria as she stands in the doorway of the bathroom.
She’s dressed in a clean maid’s dress, her long, thick chestnut hair dripping wet.
Tears well up in her eyes, and her hands cover her mouth. “I’m so sorry I attacked you,” she cries, her voice trembling.
Raiden is past me and across the room in seconds, scooping Zaria into his massive chest. He holds her tightly, his face softening as he murmurs reassurances. Wanting to give them a moment, I motion for Nix to follow me, and we slip from the room, closing the door behind us.
“Don’t you have to get dressed?” Nix raises an eyebrow.
“I still have some clothes left in my chambers. I haven’t had the chance to move all the remaining items Zaria bought for me into Maxon’s chambers.”
