“Yes.”
I blink several times, trying to process what I’m seeing. The cat—no, Felix—just transformed into the humanoid figure now standing in front of me, his form shifting with an almost fluid grace. My mind struggles to catch up with the impossible reality unfolding before me.
My voice is unsteady as I grapple with the bizarre sight. “What’s going on?”
Felix’s gaze meets mine, and there’s a slight hiss in his tone as he responds, “I was concealing you while you were here.”
“Huh?” My confusion deepens, the meaning of his words slipping through my fingers like sand.
Alivar steps in, his voice calm but tinged with something that makes my skin prickle. “Felix here is a unique type of fae. He can nullify magic, and is excellent at cloaking,” he explains, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.
The realization crashes into me, sharp and bitter like a blade twisting in my gut. “You had me watched and my magic concealed?” I snap, spinning on Alivar with a fury that sets my blood on fire. My hands clench into fists at my sides, and I can barely contain the urge to lash out.
Alivar just shrugs, as if my anger is nothing more than a mild inconvenience. He runs a hand through his hair, his expression indifferent. “I couldn’t have you drawing attention to yourself. To be honest, I’m surprised they found you,” he says, casting a frown in the direction of Nymeria and Anika.
The wolves bristle at his scrutiny, but before I can retort, Felix interjects, his tone relaxed, almost bored, “The frostflare lead them here.”
“What?” Alivar’s brows furrow, his confusion mirroring mine, but for entirely different reasons.
Felix’s tail flicks back and forth in an almost lazy manner, though there’s a sharpness in his eerie green eyes as he turns his gaze back to Alivar. “Doesn’t matter.”
Alivar’s eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t push the issue. Instead, he faces Felix and gives him a nod, a gesture of respect—or, perhaps, resignation. “The cabin is yours if you wish to stay.”
Felix regards him coolly, his feline eyes holding an unsettling intensity before shifting back to me. “It was a pleasure, Princess.” His voice is smooth enough to be almost mocking. “May you have good fortune in your quest to retrieve your mate.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I can feel the weight of the task ahead settling over me. I give him a quick nod and grab my cloak, fastening it around my shoulders. The familiar snap of the clasp echoes in the quiet room. I take a slow, steadying breath before turning to face Alivar.
It’s time to go home.
Chapter seven
Everly
Nymeria and Anika leap through the portal ahead of us, their movements swift and graceful like shadows passing through the night. I hesitate for a heartbeat, sharing one last look with Alivar. His expression is unreadable, a mixture of concern and something deeper that I can’t quite place. But there’s no time to dwell on it. With a deep breath, I step into the portal, the air rushing around me as if I’ve become weightless for a moment.
When my feet touch down, the sensation is jarring, like being pulled from one world to another in an instant.
The war room at the castle unfolds before me, the air thick with tension. The room stands frozen, a mixture of shock and disbelief as everyone’s attention lands on Nymeria and Anika, who stand poised and alert, their presence commanding the space.
I take a moment to gather myself, to let the world stop spinning before my eyes sweep across the room.
The large wooden table at the center is strewn with maps and documents, evidence of hurried planning and desperate strategies. I don’t recognize most of the faces around the table until my gaze locks onto a familiar figure standing at the head of the table. Raiden. He’s holding a stack of papers, his brow furrowed, but the moment his eyes meet mine, everything changes.
The papers slip from his hands, scattering across the table and floor like autumn leaves caught in a gust of wind. His expression shifts in an instant, the hard lines of focus and determination softening into something that makes my chest clench. Relief, raw and unguarded, floods his features.
In an instant, he’s across the room, wrapping me in his strong arms. The sudden embrace is overwhelming, and emotions clog my throat, making my nose sting.
“I’m so glad you’re back,” Raiden whispers into my hair, his voice softer than I’ve ever heard. I can feel the rapid beat of his heart against my cheek.
I squeeze him tightly, unwilling to let go just yet. “I missed you, Batman.”
Raiden pulls back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. His gaze is intense, filled with a mix of relief, worry, and unspoken questions. “Thank Ainé. Are you okay?”
A tear slips down my cheek. “I’m fine, Raiden.”
He wipes the tear away with his thumb, his touch gentle. “We’ll get him back,” he promises, his voice steady and reassuring.
Before I can respond, the air in the war room erupts into chaos. A cacophony of raised voices, clattering armor, and the sudden scuffle of boots scraping against stone fills the space. I whip around to see what’s happening, and freeze.
