“Fit for a queen,” Lutin agrees.
Tears line my eyes, and I glance up at George. “I don’t know what to say,” I whisper.
I never grew up receiving gifts, especially for no reason, but this is overwhelming.
“All I ask is that you wear this when you slay the Shadoweaver.”
Chapter twenty-six
Everly
“Your Majesty, you’ve been out here for three hours. I think you should eat something,” Lutin weaves a careful mix of concern and formality into his words. There’s a faint crease of worry in his brow as he watches me wave goodbye to George.
The thought of food sends a wave of nausea through me, twisting my stomach into knots. Everything tastes different since Maxon was taken. The once-appealing flavor of sweets now holds no allure for me.
“Okay, you’re probably right. Besides,” I continue with a faint grin, “I should probably save Tristan and Kian from my friends.”
At this, Senka and Lutin exchange confused looks.
“Faerie is in for a shock with those two,” I add as I start walking toward the castle.
Tristan thought I was trouble. Oh, he has no idea.
Scarlett is a force of nature—a fiery whirlwind of confidence andbiting retorts.
If she hasn’t already cornered him in an intense debate about something trivial, I’d be surprised.
And then there’s Mia. Sweet, diplomatic Mia. She’s the voice of reason, the one who steps in to smooth things over when Scarlett inevitably crosses a line or takes things too far. Kian might be faring slightly better than Tristan, but only because he’s the more adaptable of the two.
As we leave through the gates, a few guards and soldiers bow or nod in greeting as I walk past. Their expressions are a mix of deference and curiosity.
I return the gestures, a little awkwardly, feeling my cheeks heat in the process. The attention is still something I’m getting used to, and while their respect is appreciated, it’s also slightly overwhelming. I quicken my pace, seeking refuge in the familiar serenity of the garden.
The moment my feet touch the soft paths winding through the greenery, I feel the tension in my shoulders ease. The garden is alive with quiet energy, a harmony of scents and sounds that always manages to ground me.
“E!” Scarlett’s voice cuts through the tranquility, vibrant as ever. My head snaps up, and I spot her and Mia walking toward me.
Trailing slightly behind them are Kian and Tristan, and I have to stifle a laugh at their expressions. Kian looks amused, his lavender eyes sparkling, whereas Tristan looks decidedly disgruntled, his usual composed demeanor replaced with a faint scowl.
I grin, unable to hide my amusement and head toward them. My fingers trail lightly over the leaves and petals of the plants lining the path. Each touch sends a ripple of connection through me, magic pulsing in gentle waves. The garden responds to mypresence, the faint hum of life growing louder in my mind as my body and spirit attune to the nature surrounding me.
By the time I reach them, I can feel the subtle buzz of energy dancing at my fingertips.
“Having fun?” My grin widens as I glance from Scarlett’s mischievous smirk to Tristan’s unimpressed glare.
“Oh, absolutely,” Scarlett replies, her tone dripping with mock innocence. “We were just getting to know your friends here.”
“Fascinating company,” Mia adds with a soft smile.
Kian chuckles under his breath, clearly enjoying whatever torment Scarlett has inflicted, while Tristan mutters something too low for me to catch but enough to make Scarlett’s grin grow sharper.
I laugh, shaking my head as I step closer. “I see you’ve made quite the impression.”
Scarlett winks. “Naturally.”
Tristan sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose as if summoning patience. “Princess, your friends are . . . unique.”
“Unique is one word for it.” Kian smirks.
