In a robotic motion, I remove my gloves, dropping them to the floor. My soul is heavy with so much pain, it’s a feeling I'm unfamiliar with. Fighting back tears, I hold my hands out in front of the fire, relishing the warmth as I flex my fingers. Slowly, I lower myself the rest of the way to the floor, settling in front of the fire, becoming lost in the flames.
My skin relentlessly itches, a desperate sensation that consumes me. The overwhelming need to find my way back fills my every thought. If Alivar stubbornly refuses, I am left with no option but to forge my own way. I refuse to remain hidden out here while others suffer.
Zaria’s soft feline eyes, shimmering like pools of amber, vividly appear in my mind, instantly shattering my heart into countless pieces. A surge of tears wells up, and I fight to hold them back. I need to be there for my friend to provide solace during her unfathomable loss. Rayna was always so bright and bubbly, and I know how close the sisters were. The thought of the immense pain Zaria must be enduring breaks me. The haunting image of the light vanishing from Rayna's eyes as she desperately sprinted toward me etches itself forever into the depths of my memory. She sacrificed her own life in a valiant attempt to reach me, and the weight of that moment presses down on my soul like an anchor, pulling me deeper into the abyss of grief and guilt.
The weight of it hits hard—so many lives stolen, and all because of that demon.Yumekui. In the past twenty-four hours my fear has morphed into a smoldering anger, seeping into the depths of my being. The burning desire to grow stronger, to learn my magic, consumes me like a relentless flame flickering in my chest.
I crave to unlock the depths of my magic, to train and hone my skills, so I can bury those who threaten the people I love. My fury will know no bounds, and I vow to do whatever it takes to stop the Shadoweaver.
I need to know every intricate detail of the Shadoweaver’s plan to use me as his escape route from prison and what his intentions are. But first I need to get home, regroup, and find out who has been working with Alivar behind Maxon’s back. I don’t know why it bothers me so much that someone we trusted was working with Alivar to feed him information. I think I’m still sore about him showing up when I was bathing, to be honest.
With a sense of restlessness, I absentmindedly pick at a loose thread on my pants, the repetitive motion providing a small sense of satisfaction.
To my surprise, Alivar has a selection of the dresses I designed, accompanied by matching pants and boots, already here in the cabin. It’s kind of unsettling how prepared he was for me. Maxon’s claim that the Seelie Prince has a personal interest in me seemed dubious at first. However, being in this place has made me question my initial doubts.
Unable to sit by the fire any longer, I wander through the cabin, curiosity propelling me to open every cupboard and drawer. The creaking sound of the old wooden furniture echoes through the silent room adding to the rustic charm of the place. As I sift through the various items, I stumble upon a stack of blank paper neatly tucked away in one of the drawers. The untouched sheets, pristine and white, stand in stark contrast to the weathered surroundings. Next to the paper, I find a tin filled with an assortment of pencils, their tips perfectly sharpened.
Maybe if I did some drawings, it would help quieten the racing thoughts in my mind. So, I sit down at the small wooden table near the window and pick up a pencil. My hand hovers over the paper, and my mind goes blank.
I drop my head to the table and bang it softly against the wood several times.
The prickling sensation of magic rises in the air, sending my senses into overdrive. I look over my shoulder to see Alivar standingin the middle of the room. Pushing the hood from his head, he grins at me. My teeth clamp together and my eyes narrow, sending him a glare before going back to my drawing. Every line I sketch is more aggressive than the last, a silent rebellion against his presence.
“I brought dinner,” he says, his tone calm but edged with irritation.
“I don’t want to eat.” My voice is flat, final.
The conversation should end there.
“Don’t be stupid. You need to eat.”
I turn in my seat and face him, my eyes falling on the lifeless rabbit he lifts into the air. Disgust curls my lip as I take in the sight.
“I don’t eat meat.”
His expression shifts from frustration to bewilderment. “You don’t . . . You don’t eat meat? Are you serious?”
“Deadly.” My eyes flare with defiance, and I raise my chin, daring him to challenge me.
“How did Maxon ever put up with you?” he mutters, more to himself than to me, but the words hit their mark.
Pain slices through my chest, sharp and unforgiving. I blow out an aggravated breath trying to expel the hurt, but it lingers, heavy and suffocating.
“You’re an asshole,” I snap, the insult escaping before I can stop it.
His eyes widen at my outburst.
“I saved you,” he counters.
“You’ve held me here for–”
“Twenty-four hours, Everly. Not an eternity!” His patience is wearing thin, and it shows in the clipped tone of his words.
I stand abruptly, my chair scraping loudly against the wooden floor. “It feels like an eternity, Alivar!” The words burst from me, raw and unfiltered.
The room falls into a tense silence, the air thick with unspoken accusations and simmering anger.
“Once I’m sure the threat is gone, that the city and Castle Vesner are safe, I will take you back. Yumekui could still be lurking in the forest, waiting to snatch you. If I allowed that to happen, then all those lives would have been lost. And for what? When I get the all clear, I will return you.”
