“After the coronation, we say I’m sick. That the absence of my mate has left me weak, and I’ve been put on bed rest. Then we slip into the forest at nightfall. We stay off all the roads and cut through the Feyglades and into the mountains.”
“You’ve been planning,” Fenris mutters. “What makes you think we will agree?”
I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. “I’ll go alone if I have to.” If it’s me against the world, so be it. Since I was abandoned in the human world, learning how to survive is all I’ve ever known. “I will not wait any longer. I know in my heart we can find the nomads and rescue our king.”
“What makes you so sure?” Raiden asks.
“Because I’m not afraid. The Shadoweaver thinks she has the upper hand that he can use Maxon as bait, that I’m weak and will give myself over but she is wrong. I’m stronger than she thinks, and I will set her world on fire. I will not let her take anymore from me.” My voice grows stronger, firmer the longer I speak.
They all trade looks as I struggle to rein in my magic. I see shadows move across the windows and jerk my head toward them, but it’s only the vines of wisteria that grow along the castle walls reacting to my magic.
“Wait, you said she?” Raiden questions.
Then remember I haven't told them what Morrigan had said.
“The Shadoweaver is a woman,” I murmur.
There’s a beat of silence before Fenris speaks. “Why do you say that?” His tone is careful, but alert.
I hesitate. The memory of Morrigan’s words linger.
“Morrigan told me when we spoke,” I admit. “Even Maxon mentioned it—offhand, but still.”
There’s a sharp sound, like a growl torn from deep in Raiden’s chest. My head snaps up to meet his glare.
“Why are you only telling us this now?” he demands, anger riding his words.
I frown, tilting my head slightly, confused by his intensity.
“What does it matter?” I ask. “Does the Shadoweaver’s gender really change anything?”
“It changes everything,” he snaps. “We need to knoweverything. Every thread of truth, every hint of what we’re facing. This isn’t some borderland skirmish—this isthe fucking Shadoweaver. We’ve spent years thinking it was a man. Everyone has. If we walked into a room and saw a woman standing there, we wouldn’t even blink. We’dunderestimate her.”
I bristle the words. He’s right, in a way I hadn’t considered. In assuming it wasn’t important, I may have missed how muchperceptioncould matter in this war.
I open my mouth, then close it again.
“Male or female, it doesn’t matter,” Zaria interjects sternly. “Either way the Shadoweaver is evil and needs to be destroyed.”
“She’s right,” Fenris agrees.
“And who have you planned to accompany you?” Kian says, casually.
I have a feeling he is trying to defuse the situation I've caused. I send him a grateful look, he winks and reaches for a pastry as he takes a seat next to Mia.
Fenris stiffens when Kian smiles at Mia, and I frown, tilting my head to study him before answering.
“I was thinking–”
There’s a knock at the door and Raiden turns abruptly, ripping it open. “Fucking hell.” He steps aside, allowing Valric to enter.
Valric looks around, his eyes lingering on Fenris. “Should I be offended that I wasn't invited?” he asks lightly.
“Not at all,” I quip.
“What are we discussing?” Valric speaks slowly as he reads the tension in the room.
“Everly here wants to go to Ethereal Peaks to search for the Skythari Nomads,” Raiden huffs.
