Forever Fae

by L. P. Dover

  I look at them in the face and scream, “I can’t believe you two are doing this. You didn’t give me any time to explain to either of you what is going on.” I look at Ryder and say, “Ryder, I have never given you a reason to doubt me. Yes, you may have caught us in an odd position, but it was totally innocent and nothing happened. Nothing was going to happen either. You obviously don’t have any trust in me and it breaks my heart. Last night meant more to me than anything in this world.”

  Ryder opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.

  “I don’t want to hear another word come out of your mouth. I am done talking to you right now.”

  I am so angry. I can’t see clearly because the tears are welling up and I don’t want them fall, but they fall anyway. I thought I could hold them in and not show weakness, but it breaks my heart that the man I love doesn’t trust me, and the man that loves me I don’t love back. This is one messed up love triangle.

  I take a second to catch my breath and then I look over at Merrick and say, “Merrick, you are my best friend and I do love you, but not in that way. The changes that have happened are because of the prophecy. Apparently, Ryder and I are going to bring about the changes in the kingdoms. Orat least we were.”

  I narrow my eyes at Ryder and then turn back to Merrick and say softly, “He’s my destiny.”

  The hurt and longing in his face is too much, but Merrick turns his head away from me first. That’s what does me in. There comes a breaking point and I think I just hit mine. I put my head in my hands and I fall to my knees. I cry for what feels like an eternity.

  Ryder speaks up.

  “Calista, don’t cry,” he says.

  I am so pissed at him right now and the last thing I want is for him to console me.

  Agitated, I yell, “Shut the hell up and don’t say another word to me right now or I’m going to make these roots really latch on and take your legs off.”

  Hurt and understanding passes across his face and I think he realizes how childish he’s been because he actually nods and keeps his mouth shut. I feel so lost and I have no clue what to do. Merrick is still not looking at me. I speak silently so only he can hear.

  “I’m so sorry, Merrick. I wanted to love you, but I can’t. I’m falling in love with Ryder and I don’t think that will ever change. Except at this moment I could beg to differ, but the fates of our land depend on him and me.”

  “You just met him. How can you say you love him? You’ve known me your whole life, and look what he’s done today. He doesn’t even trust you,” Merrick says to me in his head.

  I nod.

  “That may be true, but I have to believe there was a good reason for his doubt. It couldn’t have looked good with you on top of me. You have to admit that.”

  “I agree, but I don’t think I can sit around and watch you and him be together. I can’t do it, Calista.”

  “What are you saying, Merrick?” I ask nervously.

  Ryder clears his throat to get our attention.

  “You know, the whole mind to mind mumbo shit is getting annoying. It would be nice to know what you both are saying.” He sounds very jealous and spiteful. Merrick and I both turn to scowl at him.

  Merrick then speaks aloud.

  “What I’m saying, Calista, is that you have to choose. Prophecy or not, I can’t help the way I feel about you and I can’t sit around and watch you two have a happily ever after. I want you to choose which one of us you want in your life.”

  Ryder turns his head sharply to Merrick and yells, “How can you make her decide that? Do you not realize how selfish that makes you?” He turns his head and shakes it. “You’re unbelievable. I can’t believe you would actually make her choose between her best friend and the man she loves. What kind of best friend are you?”

  I am so sick of their bantering back and forth so I let out a disgruntled sigh and loudly yell, “Enough! I’m done dealing with you two asshats. Do me a favor and leave me alone…both of you.” I look at both of them and say, “I’ll release the vines in a little bit. Maybe that way you two can wallow in your own stupidity for a while.”

  I huff and turn to walk away when they both yell for me to stop. I turn back around and raise my eyebrows, prompting them to continue speaking. Nothing they say is going to make me release them.

  Merrick pleads, “You need to let me come with you. I am your guardian and I have sworn to protect you with my life. I have to be with you.”

  I laugh.

  “Oh Merrick, I will be perfectly fine on my own. I can take care of myself and you should know that. Once you both get your heads out of your ass I might consider talking to you.” I look at them and the looks on both of their faces are a mixture of embarrassment, anger and love. They both mean so much to me and I hate I have to do this.

  I look at Merrick one last time, “Goodbye, Merrick.” Then I turn to the man I have fallen in love with and I can feel a hot tear grazing down my cheek.

  My voice breaks as I say, “Goodbye, Ryder. I hope you enjoy your journey home to the Winter Court.”

  I turn my back on them and run down the path back to the house. All I hear as I continue on my way is the echoing of Ryder yelling my name and the breaking of my heart.

  I can’t believe Merrick would ask me to choose between them. I refuse to do that so I’ll just let them decide who stays and who goes. If they both love me like they say they do, they won’t make me choose. They need to act like grown men and act rationally. The solution is simple. If I am going to be with Ryder, Merrick has to learn to live with it, and Ryder needs to learn to live with the fact that Merrick is my guardian and will always be with me. My solution would also be to tell them both to get the hell over it.

  I can’t hear them yelling anymore so I take my time heading back to the house. Spending time alone is definitely a treat because I don’t usually have much time to myself these days. I see the lake just ahead and the wonderful willow tree where my life had started to change. I felt so alive yesterday and now all I feel is loss and heartache. I walk toward the tree and hear a rustling sound off to the side. I look around and don’t see anything moving.

  “Styx, is that you?” I call out. “Come here, boy, it’s just me.”

  I look around, but he’s not there. I wonder what was making the noise. Merrick and Ryder couldn’t have gotten out of the vines yet because I haven’t released them. I shrug my shoulders and chide myself for being paranoid. It must have been the wind. As soon as that thought crosses my mind I double over in pain. I can feel the blood oozing down the back of my neck and the world is spinning, making me nauseated. The blood is hot and sticky as I reach to touch the back of my skull. The pain is tremendous, so whoever or whatever hit me wanted to incapacitate me. I’m beginning to think it’s going to work. I can feel my mind slipping from consciousness. I look around and there is no one out here that could have hit me. I sink to my knees while my vision fades. The last thing I hear before darkness takes over is the sound of a man laughing. This can’t be good. I recognize the evil laugh and he is definitely not a friend of mine. The world fades into blackness and then…Silence.

  Chapter 17

  Ryder

  “Calista!”

  I yell her name over and over, but she still runs away and doesn’t look back. I behaved like a jack ass and now she wants nothing to do with me. Seeing her cry tore at my heart. I would have loved to comfort her if I didn’t feel so betrayed.

  “If you love, Calista, so much. Why were you being such a dick to her?” Merrick asks, breaking my thoughts.

  “As if you didn’t know, I heard about your little make out session this morning and it didn’t look like she was in a hurry to get up from you being all over her.” I hiss angrily.

  He looks at me confused.

  “I wish that was the case, but you have no idea what you’re talking about. Nothing happened between us this morning at all, and when we were on the ground she told me to get off of her, but I stayed there while we
were talking.” He taps his head and raises his eyebrows to let me know it was a silent conversation.

  “With the way you’re acting, I wish something would have happened. I’m not going to lie, I think about her all the time, and yes I want to be with her. I’m in love with her just as much as you are and I was hoping to convince her that she belongs with me.”

  That son of a bitch Warren lied to me. Why would I have ever believed him in the first place? Calista is never going to forgive me.

  Frustration sends me over the edge and I shout, “Damn it! That bastard told me nothing but lies. When I get out of here I am going to find his sorry ass and beat the fuck out of him.”

  “Who?” Merrick commands.

  I look over at Merrick, huffing from anger.

  “Warren. He told me he saw you and Calista together this morning being a little more than friendly. He’s also been acting strange for a while now and saying weird things about me staying away from Calista. I’m going to make him see our counselor when we get back home to find out what his problem is.”

  Merrick looks exasperated and yells, “And you brought him here? Why would you do that? If he is that unstable he could be a threat. How stupid could you be? I guess the ice in the Winter Court has frozen your brain.”

  “Just like the sun here has fried yours?” I retort back.

  Merrick sighs in frustration and insists.

  “This isn’t getting us anywhere. The meeting will be going on in about another hour. We need to get back. Do you have any suggestions?”

  We pull and twist, but nothing happens. We do this for about thirty more minutes and when we are about to give up when the vines slowly unravel around us and slide back into the ground. Merrick and I both lay dumbfounded and shocked that Calista would let us go so quickly. I figured she would leave us there all day to teach us a lesson. I was prepared to be stuck there all day. After a few seconds, I decide to get up slowly and brush the dirt off my clothes. Merrick gathers the weapons and we both head back to face the wrath of Calista.

  I am going to kill Warren with my bare hands when I see him. How could I even believe he was telling the truth? I am such an idiot and now Calista is furious with me. Why did I doubt her? Elvena told me to trust her and I let my jealousy get in the way. She’s not going to forgive me and I deserve it. My heart aches with the absence of her. Watching her walk away was the hardest thing I have had to face.

  As we’re walking back, Merrick says, “You should have never doubted her. Calista is the most honest and trustworthy person I know. She’s also a loyal friend. We both have a lot of groveling to do when we get back.”

  “I know. I just hope she forgives me,” I say somberly.

  Merrick throws back his head and laughs.

  “I wouldn’t count on it, ice boy. She is more stubborn than a mule. She’ll forgive you when she’s ready. I’m her guardian so she has no choice but to be around me so I’ll be stuck with the attitude when you leave.”

  How can I leave today with things being the way they are? I planned on asking her to marry me today. She’ll probably just laugh in my face and tell me to go to Hell now that I’ve been a complete moron. Hopefully, she’ll let me talk to her when we get back. I need to apologize, even if she doesn’t forgive me. I have to do this before I leave or I will never forgive myself. If I have to make her listen I will, but she has to know how I feel about her before I leave.

  “That’s the thing, Merrick. I don’t want to leave. I want to marry her.” I look over at him and his jaw clenches, but I continue.

  “I was going to ask her today and now she’s probably going to tell me no. Last night, when we were together, some things had changed.”

  Merrick’s anger escalates and his eyes are blazing. I can see the fire building around his hands as he reaches for his dagger.

  Outraged, he yells, “When you say you two were together, do you mean you had sex with her?”

  I definitely thought about it and I know she did as well, but I’m not going to tell him that so I just simply say, “No.”

  “Where were you two when you got together last night? How come I didn’t know about her meeting you?” he asks.

  “We planned for it to be a secret so we could discuss the vision we had. We met at the willow tree by the lake.” Merrick and I reach the willow tree just as I say it and I noticed that the colored leaves are still lying on the ground. I point to the leaves and pick some up to show Merrick that what I’m saying is real.

  “The vision was of us together in a new land and things are going to be different in the Land of the Fae when we come together. These leaves changed last night while we were lying on top of them.” I look down at the leaves and I can hear Merrick fuming with his erratic breathing. He has to know the truth, even if it pisses him off.

  Merrick obviously couldn’t handle the truth anymore so he stormed off without me. He throws his hands up in the air and mumbles obscenities the whole way. I know he’s angry and I don’t care, but he has to know he’s not her destiny…I am.

  Before the Meeting- Ryder

  I get back to the house and the servants are milling about getting everything ready for the meeting. I decide to try and find Kalen first before I try my luck with Calista. I get to his room and knock on his door. He answers the door and is still dressed in his nice clothes. When he looks at me and sees that I’m all disheveled and bloody, he laughs.

  “Well, Ryder, don’t you look handsome? I think all the blood will get the ladies swooning. I trust Calista’s guardian is still up and moving?” He pulls me into his room and slaps my back. I wince. My body is sore from fighting Merrick, but it should heal up here in the next few minutes. Aches and bruises typically only hurt for a couple of hours.

  I slowly sit down in one of the chairs before I respond.

  “Unfortunately, Merrick is fine. I came by to see if you’ve seen Warren. He told me a bunch of bullshit this morning that may have cost me Calista. She’s furious with me and I need to see him so I can kick his worthless ass and send him home packing.” I look at Kalen seriously and add, “He can’t be here anymore.”

  Kalen looks bewildered.

  “I haven’t seen him yet and I don’t know where he would be.”

  “Will you look for him while I try to find Calista? I really need to speak with her.”

  “Sure, brother, I’ll head out now to find him.” He stops me with a hand on my shoulder and looks hopeful. “Don’t worry, things will work out.”

  I give him a slight smile and head on my way to Calista’s room. When I get there, I knock on her door. Nothing. I put my ear to the door, but no sound comes from her room so I knock again. Either she’s not in there or she doesn’t want to see me. I lean my forehead against her door and take a deep breath. I have to believe she will forgive me. I know she will be at the meeting so I’ll corner her there and make her speak to me.

  I head back down to the main floor where the meeting will be held and the sight before my eyes has me worried. There are servants running around and people here and there crying. I see Kalen in the corner talking to Meliantha, Calista’s sister, so I run over to see what the deal is.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  Meliantha says worriedly, “Something bad has happened. One of the servants found a necklace on the council room floor along with a trace of ashes.” I look at her questioningly so she continues.

  “The necklace belongs to one of our council members, Xylia’s mom, Raisa. No one has found her husband either. We believe him to be dead as well. If what we believe is true, we have a traitor among us.” She looks back and forth between Kalen and me.

  I grab Kalen on the shoulder and say, “It has to be Warren. I saw him this morning leaving the council room. He had blood on his pants and he tried to cover it up, but I didn’t say anything. I also saw him talking to Avery last night.”

  I turn to Meliantha and ask, “Has anyone checked to see where Avery has been? Calista told me of the bad vibe
she gets when he’s around and I felt it as well. I know it’s not my place to request this, but can you please get someone to check him out?”

  Meliantha nods her head and says, “Of course, I will get one of the warriors to take a look in his chambers, and Elvena as well. By touching the ashes, she’ll be able to identify who it was.” She pauses and puts her hand over her mouth and closes her eyes. When she opens them they are full of tears. I look at my brother and I can tell he wants to hold her, but he keeps his distance. She continues on and her voice breaks when she speaks.

  “We haven’t told Xylia about her parents yet. We’ll wait for Elvena to come to the council room and take a look around. If you see Xylia, please don’t mention any of this.”

  I look to Kalen and we both nod at her sympathetically.

  “We won’t,” Kalen assures her.

  “We are going to look for Warren for a few more minutes until everything gets settled. If you see Calista, will you please tell her I need to talk to her? I made her upset this morning and I need her to forgive me before I leave,” I plead to Meliantha.

  She looks a little confused.

  “But I thought things were going so well and Elvena told me what all has happened.” She points and nods in the direction of my changed skin.

  “They were going well until Warren told me a bunch of shit that wasn’t true and I accused her of betraying me. I doubted her trust and now she won’t speak to me.”

  “That sounds like Calista.” Her eyes show pity and she gives me a small smile.

  “She’ll come around. She’s stubborn, but eventually she’ll realize she won’t be happy without you,” she claims.

  She squeezes my arm and gives Kalen a long, lingering gaze before walking off. He hasn’t taken his eyes off of her retreating form yet so I wave my hands in front of his face and that snaps him back to attention.