“I don’t understand.”
“Your birth stirred something ancient and dark. The Shadoweaver, long bound in slumber, felt the ripple of your magic echo through Faerie. It awakened her. Drawn to your power like a moth to flame. She knew you were the one that could free her, and she has been hunting you ever since. Your mother understood the danger that your presence posed, not just to you, but to all of Faerie. That’s why she made the impossible choice—to send you away, to hide you beyond the veil of this world, far from the Shadoweaver’s reach. It was the only way to protect you. But the moment you returned to Faerie, everything changed. Now, her gaze is fixed on you. Whether you find and free your prince or not, she will not stop. Not unless you face her. Because even if you win this battle, there will be another. The Shadoweaver will keep coming, again and again—until she claims the crown that was never meant to be hers.”
A cold rush of realization washes over me—I haven’t even considered that. Every ounce of my focus has been on getting Maxon back. But that’s just the beginning.
She wants out.
And she won’t stop until she’s free.
My mind trips up for a second as the word slams into me. “Wait. She?”
Morrigan nods and leans down, pressing a light kiss to my forehead, and I feel warmth blossom there, spreading through me like sunlight. “You are not alone. Trust your heart, and trust those who choose to walk with you.”
As she pulls away, her form begins to fade, dissolving like mist.
Then I’m standing in my chambers again with Zaria’s big brown eyes filling my vision.
“Seriously, Everly. You must stop doing that!”
“Sorry,” I reply, rubbing my temples.
“What did you see?” Raiden gently takes my hand, guiding me over to the sofas, his touch steadying. I sink down, feeling a comforting weight settle over me as Zaria drapes a blanket around my shoulders. I smile up at her, grateful.
“I’m going to get you some tea,” she murmurs softly, brushing a hand over my shoulder.
“Thanks,” I reply, watching her go before turning back to Raiden. He sits beside me, his silver eyes meeting mine, their usual calm replaced by a storm of emotion swirling within them, flickers of worry and something deeper. I can tell he’s been holding back his own anxiety, and I give him a half-smile, trying to lighten the tension.
“Sorry, Batman.”
Raiden sighs, shaking his head, his tone softer now. “It’s not your fault.”
I take a steadying breath. “Should we wait for the others before I tell you what I saw . . . and what the Witte Wieven shared with me?” I ask, searching his face for guidance.
He considers for a moment before nodding. “Probably, unless there’s anything you don’t want them to know,” he replies, his voice gentle but curious.
“No, we’ll wait.” I pull my legs up, crossing them beneath me, and tighten the blanket around my shoulders, feeling both anticipation and a sliver of dread settle over me.
A few moments later, Nix bursts into the room, her energy loud and brash, exactly as expected. “Do you know what time itis?” she shrieks, crossing her arms and fixing me with a look that would intimidate anyone but me. “How are we supposed to get any rest when you keep disappearing all the time?”
“Nix,” Raiden growls, his voice rumbling through the room, instantly silencing her outburst. There’s a protectiveness in his tone, and his eyes flash with warning.
I sigh, looking down as guilt coils around me. “She’s right,” I admit.
My friends are here trying to protect me, and I am making it hard for them. Although, admittedly, not on purpose.
Fenris strolls into the room, and I freeze when I catch the look on his face—worry, raw and unguarded. I’m so used to seeing that stoic, simmering anger in his expression that the concern takes me by surprise.
Without a word, he strides over to me, and in one smooth motion, scoops me up off the sofa and into his arms. I gasp as he pulls me close, tucking my head under his chin, his arms holding me tightly, almost like he’s afraid to let go.
“Fuck, Vera,” he murmurs, his voice rough, the words rumbling through his chest.
Just for a moment, I relax in his hold, savoring the warmth of his body.
A throat clears behind us, and I feel the heat of embarrassment rise to my cheeks. Fenris sighs and slowly sets my feet on the ground, but he doesn’t step away. His gaze remains fixed on me, his brown eyes softened by flickers of violet. For a moment, we just look at each other, the silence heavy with unspoken feelings I can’t quite decipher.
But then Raiden speaks, breaking the quiet. “Want to explain?” His voice is tense, anger tightening his words, though I can tell it’s not directed solely at me.
I take a steadying breath, pulling the blanket tighter around my shoulders as I turn to face everyone.
