"It’s the best way," I reply as calmly as I can, though even my own doubts claw at me.
“Everyone will think I’d want you close. So, if you’re here, they will think I am, too.”
Mia hesitates, then slowly lowers herself back into her seat. Her gaze drifts to Fenris, and I can’t help but notice the subtle blush that creeps up her cheeks. I bite my lip to keep from smiling. Fenris always manages to get under her skin, and as much as she tries to hide it, I can tell she isn’t immune to his good looks.
"Nix will stay with you," I continue, shifting the focus back to the plan. "She will keep an eye on things here. I will speak to Alivar tomorrow and see if he is still willing to aid us.” I look over at Fenris. “Fenris, you will gather the soldiers and lead them to Escalle. The rest of you are with me."
Raiden stiffens beside me, his jaw tightening. "Zaria should stay." His tone leaves no room for debate—except that Zaria has never been one to follow his orders without a fight.
Before I can even respond, Zaria steps forward, her gaze cutting sharply toward Raiden. "I’m coming," she asserts, her voice steady. "Everly wants me with her. I’m coming. I can shift now, so I’m not helpless."
Raiden frowns, but before he can protest, Tristan blurts out, "You can shift? Like completely, without getting stuck?"
Zaria just smiles, and with a swirl of magic, she transforms in front of us, her body rippling into the sleek, powerful form of a leopard. She slinks around Raiden, the movement fluid and graceful, before shifting back in another flash of magic. Her grin is wide, proud.
"I’ve been practicing," she says, a hint of satisfaction in her tone.
“But you still have your cat ears and tail?” Scarlett points out.
Zaria shrugs. “I’ve grown used to this form and prefer it.”
Raiden grabs her shoulders, spinning her to face him, his expression troubled. "Are you sure?"
"I’m sure," she declares. "I can handle myself. I’m not the girl you need to protect anymore, Raiden."
Raiden exhales sharply, a mixture of pride and reluctance crossing his face. “I will always protect you, whether you need it or not.”
His silver eyes swirl as he studies her, then dips his head. “Okay.”
Zaria grins widely, her warm brown eyes dancing with purpose as she glances at me. "So, two soldiers, a shifter, a paladin, Batman, and a druid," she says, almost giddy. "Sounds fun."
"Sounds like the start of a joke," Scarlett mutters dryly from beside her, her arms crossed but with a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
I can’t help it—a soft laugh slips out, and I shake my head, feeling a moment of unexpected lightness amidst the tension of what’s to come. Grinning, I look to each of them.
"Maybe we’re all just one big punchline."
Chapter forty-three
Everly
My eyes remain fixed on the ceiling as I lie in bed, trying to calm my mind. Mia and Scarlett are fast asleep on either side of me, their soft breaths the only sound in the quiet room. Tomorrow, I’ll be crowned queen, and then, under the cover of night, I’ll slip away to find the people who can help me locate Maxon. I close my eyes, willing myself to rest, but sleep feels impossible. Instead, I focus on the thread, the invisible connection that ties me to Maxon. I reach for it, my fingers metaphorically tracing its path, following it as I’ve done so many times before.
But I hit something—an all-too-familiar barrier, the one he’s placed between us. It usually feels impenetrable, a solid wall keeping me from him. But as I rest my hands against it, I feel it tremble. With a forceful push, the barrier shatters like glass, cascading down like a waterfall. I stumble through the breach. Pain instantly rips through me, sharp and all-consuming.
My knees buckle, and I double over, gasping as agony claws at my body.
What the hell is this?
My hands press into my knees, my breath coming in ragged bursts as I try to steady myself.
When I lift my head, everything is dark—so dark I can barely see anything around me. A creeping sense of unease settles in, but I fight it back.
"Maxon," I whisper, my voice shakes as my fingers dig into my legs.
Then, a sound—a soft, broken voice. “Everly?”
I freeze, my heart pounding. His voice. The pain in it is unmistakable, cutting through the darkness like a knife. Forcing myself upright, I stretch out my hands in front of me, stepping forward through the blackness.
