“Tristan, let Raiden know I want to meet in the war room in thirty minutes.” Tristan’s eyes flash, and he gives a sharp nod before he strides off.
I turn to Kian, who’s watching me closely. “Kian, go find Fenris. Tell him I want him there as well.”
Dipping his head, he leaves the room without a word.
Chapter forty-two
Everly
Ipace the length of the war room, my thoughts crashing into one another like waves in a storm. Mia and Scarlett sit at the long wooden table, absently picking at the baked treats I had Lutin and Senka bring in, silently watching me. Zaria went to find Nix, promising to return soon.
My body thrums with annoyance, making me twitchy and irritable. I am not leaving this room until we have a solid plan.
The double doors push open with a creak, and Raiden strides in, a heavy frown etched into his features. His skin glistens with a sheen of sweat, and his breath comes in sharp exhales. “What’s going on?” he growls, his silver eyes sweeping over me, assessing. “I’m training the new recruits. This couldn’t have waited?”
Stopping mid-pace, my hands fly to my hips as I face him. “No, it couldn’t.”
Raiden studies me for a beat longer, his gaze searching my expression before he raises an eyebrow. “How are theheadaches?”
Heat floods my cheeks, and I shoot a quick, pointed look at Tristan, who is taking a seat at the table.
“Fine,” I grit out through clenched teeth. “Gone.”
“Hmmm.” Raiden’s eyes narrow slightly as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“Look, that’s not what I want to talk about,” I continue, pushing the topic aside with more force than necessary. “We need to make a plan to leave for Ethereal Peaks immediately after my coronation tomorrow.”
Raiden’s silver eyes flash with something unreadable before they harden. “Not happening,” he refuses flatly, the authority in his voice unmistakable.
“Raiden,” I growl, feeling the tension ratchet up between us.
“You cannot leave the safety of the castle,” he continues, his tone brooking no argument. “I will send men–”
“No!” I shout, the power thrumming just beneath my skin responding to the surge of anger. Magic hums along my arms, sparking in the air. “I need to do this myself. I need to build trust with the nomads.”
Before Raiden can reply, the door swings open again. Kian and Fenris enter first, their presence commanding as usual, followed closely by Zaria and Nix.
“What’s going on?” Fenris’s focus moves between Raiden and me.
“We are leaving for Ethereal Peaks the day after tomorrow,” I inform him.
“We are?” Fenris pries, looking at Raiden's stiff posture.
Raiden’s jaw clenches, but he doesn’t answer Fenris.
“Okay, what’s happening here? Raiden looks like he is going to blow a horn and you look like–”
“Like what?” I demand.
“A queen.”
His words stall all my thoughts, and I blink.
Raiden shakes his head. “Everly, we can’t risk the Shadoweaver getting his hands on you.”
“The Shadoweaver won’t know I’ve left.”
“How do you figure that?” he growls.
