“Okay,” I accept finally, nodding. I bite down hard on my lip, my mind racing.
Before I can say anything more, Scarlett rises to her feet, her fiery hair catching the light as she moves toward us. “I’ll go with her.”
I open my mouth to protest, but before I can respond, there’s a soft knock at the door. It creaks open, and Raiden, Fenris, and Alivar step inside.
Raiden’s gaze immediately goes to Nix, his expression darkening. “How is she?” he questions, clipped but tinged with concern.
“Not good,” I answer, my voice thick. “The healers can’t do anything. They tried, but nothing. We need a flower that grows at the base of the ghost trees to save her.”
Raiden stiffens, his jaw tightens as his eyes flick to Zaria. “The Outlands,” he says in a flat tone.
Alivar crosses his arms, his golden eyes narrowing. “That’s Shadoweaver territory. Dangerous for anyone, especially now.”
“I’m going into Skora to see if any merchants have some, but if they don’t, we might need to make a decision,” Zaria says.
Alivar steps forward. “If it comes to that, then I’ll go.” His voice is quiet, but there’s a resolute edge to it that makes everyone look at him.
“No,” Fenris snaps. “You are too important to go. I will.”
“You have an army to lead,” Alivar snarls back. “I can portal in and out before the Shadoweaver knows I’m there.”
“Doubtful,” Raiden mutters, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Why do you even care enough to risk your life?” Scarlett asks, and I have to admit, I’m curious about that one, too.
Alivar’s violet eyes flash with icy blue for a split second as his attention shifts from Fenris to Scarlett and settles on me. “Nix is important to you. If we can prevent casualties in the coming weeks, we should at least try.”
Without thinking, my feet carry me across the room and I wrap my arms around Alivar, feeling his muscles stiffen under my hold as the smell of honeysuckle and salty summer air fills my senses.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
My anger and frustration are doing a good job at holding back the tears, but now with Alivar’s offer, they are right here, ready to spill over.
Alivar relaxes, and his arms come around me slowly. “It’s my pleasure to assist, Everly.”
“If something goes wrong?” Scarlett interrupts, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Something always goes wrong, wolf boy.”
I release Alivar and turn to see what I missed.
“We need that flower. The question is, how do we get it with the least amount of risk?” Fenris snaps back, his piercing glare focused on her.
“Yeah, and if Zaria can’t get the flower in the village, then what?” she argues, her temper rising to match her hair.
There’s a tense silence before Fenris speaks up. “I’ll go with Alivar. Two warriors are better equipped to handle the Outlands than just one.”
Alivar tilts his head slightly, a faint smirk playing at his lips. “It’s not the first time I’ve faced something dangerous, and it won’t be the last.”
“At least let me go into Skora first,” Zaria says softly. “This might all be a moot point.”
“You have two hours. If you can’t get any, we will leave immediately,” Fenris replies, then his attention shifts to me. “This won’t interfere with you leaving. Alivar and I will do what we must, and we will meet you in Escalle with the armies.”
I let out a deep breath, my eyes sliding over to Nix again. “I want to know who did this.”
“Don’t we all?” Raiden runs a hand over his head in defeat. “She was here as my spy, she is good at gathering information. If someone has done this on purpose, it means Nix found out something important.”
The idea of there being someone in the castle who hurt Nix makes my stomach tighten in fear. Was it the person who was in my chambers the other night? The unfamiliar smell Nymeria and Anika detected?
“I better go; we’re running out of daylight.” Zaria looks over to Scarlett. “You coming?”
