Forever Fae

by L. P. Dover

  He replies worriedly, “I’ve tried to contact her, but I’m being blocked by something.”

  “It’s the dark magic. She has to be surrounded by it, but she can’t always be, so when you feel that tension let up try to get in touch with her again,” Elvena instructs. She walks over to me and Merrick and reveals, “There is, however, a way for us to contact her in the meantime.”

  It got everyone’s attention and we stood, silently waiting for her to continue.

  She states, “If I use the magic within me combined with the bonds she has with both of you, there is a way we can contact her. The only catch is that she has to be near sleep in order for this to work.”

  We both nod our heads and I exclaim impatiently, “It’s evening now so we have a good chance at contacting her. What do we have to do?”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back,” Merrick says.

  Elvena takes a deep breath and turns one of the table chairs away from the table. She motions for Merrick and me to pull up chairs around her. We form a triangle and both sit down in the chairs waiting for guidance on what to do.

  Elvena explains, “In order for this to work, you have to clear your minds and focus only on Calista. I need you to picture, in your minds, the bond that pulls you both to her. Think of it as a string that physically connects you to her and follow it until you connect with her soul.”

  Elvena grabs both mine and Merrick’s hands and holds on tight, giving a reassuring squeeze.

  She whispers, “Now, close your eyes.” We both follow her orders and close our eyes.

  “Where do you want the setting of the dream to be? If she is in distress and needs comfort, the place should be where she finds peace,” Elvena points out.

  I blurt out quickly, “It needs to be by the willow tree at the lake.”

  I can tell, even with my eyes closed, that Elvena is smiling at the suggestion and Merrick is scowling. Merrick takes in a deep breath and huffs it out angrily.

  “The lake it is then,” Elvena says.

  She takes another deep breath and lets it out slowly. Then she starts to speak in the Old Fae language. The Old language isn’t spoken often anymore. When the fae started travelling to the mortal realm centuries ago, the English language made its way here, along with other languages. Elvena continues her chant and I make sure to focus as hard as I can on Calista and our bond. It’s not hard to concentrate on her. I can still remember the way her hair smells, the glitter of gold in her bright green eyes and the way her body felt underneath mine by the willow tree. My body starts to feel like it’s going to explode with all the pressure around me. It quickly dissipates and I’m left standing by the willow tree at the lake in some sort of dream world. I look around and Merrick and Elvena are here with me, too.

  “Now what do we do?” Merrick asks while looking around.

  Elvena answers, “We wait for Calista to join us and it might not be a good time to tell her about Xylia’s parents. Let’s wait until she is safely home and has us all to lighten the burden.”

  We agree and sit in silence, hoping and praying that this plan works. If it doesn’t, the hope of finding her will be slim. I don’t care what happens, but I do know that I will search for her the rest of my life, even if it kills me. I refuse to give up.

  I look around the dream setting and I am amazed at how real everything looks. I see the spot where Calista and I had our little tryst and there on the ground are the different colored leaves. It tears at my heart to see them lying on the ground. I bend down to pick up the bright colored leaves that changed while we were so close to losing control. The memories are strong in my mind and I wish I could turn back the time and change things. If I hadn’t have doubted her, she wouldn’t have run away. This whole thing is my fault.

  I look at the water of the lake; it’s so calm it looks like glass. There are no ripples or anything until I see a reflection appear across the lake. As soon as I look up, I see her. She’s wearing a bathrobe and she looks exhausted. She is standing by the lake on the other side so she’s a good distance away. I wonder why she’s in a bathrobe. I decide not to worry with that because all I want to do is hold her and tell her I’m sorry. She hasn’t seen me yet, so I yell out her name.

  “Calista!”

  Her eyes become focused and she looks at me first with confusion and then recognition.

  “Ryder!” She exclaims with excitement. She runs as fast as she can and I do the same. I can’t wait to have her in my arms and explain how wrong I was. The distance feels like miles and the seconds it takes to reach her feel like hours. We close the distance and she jumps into my arms sobbing. I scoop her up into my arms, holding her tight. I pull back to kiss her with all my heart and soul and she responds with as much love and force behind the kiss as me. I don’t know how much time we have so I quickly tell her how I feel.

  “I love you so much, Calista. I was wrong and I should never have doubted you.” I bury my head in her shoulder and breathe in the wonderful scent of her hair and her body. I kiss her neck and I can feel the chill bumps forming over her skin.

  “Where are you?” I demand softly. “We need to know what’s happened to you and how to get you back home.”

  Calista looks up at me slowly and whispers, “Is this real? Are you really here?”

  I take her face in my hands and look directly in her eyes.

  I answer, “Yes, I’m here, and so are Merrick and Elvena.” I wave my hands around at the setting and say, “This is a magical dream that we pulled you into. We don’t know how much time we have so do you have any idea what’s going on?”

  She seems to regain herself with the knowledge that this is real and she’s actually communicating with me.

  She shakes her head and says frantically, “Oh my God, Ryder, so many things have happened. Warren is the one who took me!”

  I flinch with the knowledge that my best friend has indeed played a part in Calista’s capture. I suspected he turned traitor, but it was still hard to accept. He’s going to pay for this dearly.

  I nod my and agree, “I figured he played a part in this.” Her eyes grow solemn when she sees the hurt that must be showing on my face. “There’s so much to tell you, but I’m sure Merrick and Elvena would really like to speak to you, too.” She nods her head and takes my hand. We begin walking back around the lake to where Merrick and Elvena are waiting.

  Calista squeezes my hand and reveals, “Warren told me the lies he told you about Merrick and me. It was all part of his plan to separate us and then find a way to take me.”

  I nod my head in understanding.

  “I know it was all lies. Merrick told me that nothing happened between you two.” I turn to look at her while we walk and I plead, “Please forgive me, Calista. I shouldn’t have doubted you, and I am so…so sorry.”

  We continue walking and we are almost to the others when she replies, “It hurt that you didn’t believe me. I was so angry that I was actually going to let you go and never see you again. There is no way I’m choosing between my best friend and the man I love. There has to be a way for me to be with you and still be friends with him. He’s my guardian, and he’s always going to be with me.”

  I pull our clasped hands up and kiss her knuckles one by one. I smile at her and murmur, “It will all work out, love. Right now we need to focus on getting you back.”

  She looks at me and nods her head in agreement. When she sees Merrick and Elvena she lets go of my hand and goes straight into Elvena’s arms. The sobbing comes again, and Elvena just holds her and tries to calm her.

  “It’s alright, child, we will find you and get you home,” Elvena whispers to her.

  Calista lifts her head to see Merrick and she finds her way into his arms. I know they are friends and he is her guardian, but it doesn’t make it any easier seeing another man consoling the woman I love.

  Merrick expresses to Calista, “I can’t hear you anymore. I’ve tried to push through, but I can’t. Have you tried a
s well?”

  Calista nods her head while still holding him.

  “Yes, I’ve tried. The place I’m in is surrounded by dark magic. It feels like a wall is put up in my brain and I can’t get through.”

  Elvena cuts in and commands, “Do you know where you’re at and who you’re with?”

  Calista looks to me and then back to Elvena.

  “Warren took me and I know there are other people, but I haven’t seen them yet. He locked me in a room, but what I don’t get is that this room is amazing with a huge bed and an enormous bathroom. I’m a prisoner, but yet I’m not being treated like a prisoner, other than being locked in. Warren told me that tomorrow I will meet the dark sorcerer, his name is Alasdair, and that he wants my power to fulfill his. He wouldn’t give me all the answers because I would find them all out today. From the vibe I’m getting, this sorcerer wants a little more than just my magic.”

  This sends me over the edge and I yell, “Oh, hell no! That fucker is not going to lay his grimy hands on you.” I look to Elvena and plead, “We have to get her out, now! What can we do?”

  Elvena answers, “I have a plan, but it won’t be able to happen until tomorrow. We just have to stay strong.”

  Calista looks at me. She can clearly see the anger and worry all over my face, so she comes to stand beside me and wraps her arms around my waist.

  She whispers softly, “I’m strong, Ryder, and I promise I’m going to get out of this perfectly fine and virtue intact.” I pull her to me and the thought of knowing she will be leaving me soon and will be in the hands of the dark sorcerer is terrifying.

  She doesn’t know about Avery yet so I begin to tell her.

  “There is something else you should know. Avery went missing and Elvena found traces of dark magic in his quarters. I believe you may be seeing him soon.”

  Her body deflates against mine and she groans angrily.

  “I can’t believe he would betray my father and our kingdom. I haven’t seen him yet, only Warren. There are no windows in my room so I can’t escape. Once I am taken to the Black Forest, how are you all going to get me out?” She asks, looking a back and forth between us.

  Elvena offers reassurance.

  “I have some ideas to get you out, but it involves some serious magic. There is something I must tell you as well.” Elvena takes Calista’s hand and points to the golden ring on her finger with the purple stone.

  “This, my child, is a very special, magical ring. This ring will protect your magic. The dark sorcerer must not find out about the ring, so whatever you do, do not draw attention to it. Make sure you keep it on at all times.” She raises her eyebrows at Calista and Calista nods back, letting Elvena know she understands.

  “What happens if he notices my ring?” Calista asks.

  “If he notices your ring and takes it, he will have full access to your power. The ring will help keep the dark sorcerer from taking it all at one time, but eventually it will start to siphon your energy slowly. He needs your power first, according to the prophecy, and once he gets yours he will move on to the next,” Elvena explains grievously.

  This got all of our attention, but Calista asks first.

  “Who will be next?”

  Elvena shrugs her shoulders and says, “I don’t know, child. It could be either one of your sisters….” She then looks at me and says, “Or it could be yours.” Elevena continues, “I know who The Four are, but I don’t know which one will be next. I have speculations, but it’s too soon to tell.”

  I cut in and demand, “When did you figure all this out?”

  Elvena huffs, “I hadn’t figured it out until now, but we can’t think about that at the moment. The dark sorcerer’s focus is on Calista and we need to concentrate on getting her rescued. We’ll worry about protecting the others later.” Elvena stops to take a breath and grabs hold of Calista’s hands.

  “I’m afraid, my child, that I cannot tell you what plans I have for your rescue and before you ask why, I’ll go ahead and tell you. Dark sorcerers are powerful, they were very powerful a century ago and I don’t know the full extent of this one’s power yet. I’m scared of what he’ll do if he finds out we made contact.”

  Calista interrupts, “Warren thinks Ryder won’t come to my rescue because of what he told him about Merrick and me, so it’ll be easy to pretend that I’m heartbroken over Ryder and not expecting him to rescue me.” Elvena nods her head in approval.

  “Good, child, that’s excellent, but there is something else you will probably have to endure and you’re not going to like it.” Elvena looks regretful and pained to have to give Calista this bad news. I can already tell I’m not going to like it and neither will Merrick.

  Calista rolls her eyes and looks up at the sky.

  “Why does the bad shit always happen to me?” She exclaims. Elvena shakes her head and dismisses what Calista said with a grumble.

  “The dark sorcerer needs to believe he is taking your power, which he actually will be, but only very small traces of it. During this time, he may try to overpower you and make you see things or do things you don’t want to do,” Elvena explains.

  Merrick and I both yell at the same time, “Hell no!”

  I continue furiously, “What if he tries to force himself on her or make her do other things? There is no way she’s going to pretend through that.”

  Elvena rolls her eyes and throws her hands up in the air, clearly agitated.

  She shouts, “I was not suggesting she let him force himself on her, but I am suggesting she stay strong and play it off for as long as she can. She will be in his domain and surrounded by his power. If he uses his influence and she resists, he will know something is wrong.”

  I look over and see that Calista is holding her hand over her stomach and she’s grown paler in the last minute. She starts to sway and reaches out to hold onto the tree.

  She groans, “You guys, I think something’s wrong. I’m starting to feel funny.” She holds her head in her hands and closes her eyes.

  I reach out to steady her, and to be closer to her before she goes. I’m going to go out of my mind wondering what she’s going to go through. I know she’s strong, but I don’t want to think of all the vile things that could be done to her. I’ll rip out their goddamn hearts if they touch her.

  Elvena comes over looking apprehensive. She grabs Calista’s hands.

  “I think someone is getting close. We need to hurry, there’s only a couple more minutes left.” She takes Calista’s face in her hands. “Calista, my child, we will rescue you. Do not doubt that, even if you feel lost and helpless, just know we will be there to get you out. I promise.”

  The promise from a prophetess is a very powerful vow. I have full confidence in Elvena and her plans to help rescue Calista. I don’t know what those plans are yet and I don’t care. I will go through the fires of hell and back again to rescue Calista. Elvena kisses Calista’s cheek and passes her to Merrick.

  Merrick hugs her hard and murmurs softly, “Be safe, Cali. I’m going to get you out of there.”

  Calista reaches up and lays her hand on his cheek. Jealousy spikes in my gut, but I quickly let it pass.

  She looks into his eyes and says, “I have faith in you, Merrick, my guardian.” She kisses his cheek, hugs him one more time and then walks over to me. Her face looks sad, but I know she’s strong. A tear is on the verge of escaping her saddened eyes, but I quickly reach up to wipe it away before it falls.

  Taking both her hands in mine, I pull her to me and whisper quietly in her ear, “I love you, Calista. Whatever the plan is, I’ll be there. I promise.”

  Elvena interrupts and announces, “It’s almost time, you two.”

  I quickly pull Calista over to the willow tree so I can tell her what I have to say in privacy. I move a tendril of her beautiful, blonde hair away from her face and I look lovingly into her eyes when I say, “I have something I need to ask you.”

  She looks at me questioningly and prompts
me to continue.

  “What is it?” She whispers.

  I give her a smile and I see her eyes warming up at the sight. “First, I want to do this.” I lean down to kiss her and the kiss grows desperate with my need for her. I don’t care who is watching and I can tell neither does she. Her arms circle around my neck and she runs her fingers through my hair. I feel no hesitation coming from her so I deepen the kiss and relish in the feel of her body. I think we both know that this could be the last time we get to see each other, so we take advantage of the time we have. My hand travels up her back to the nape of her neck and I hold her in place up against my body while my tongue circles hers with a raging passion that’s burning throughout my body.

  She regretfully breaks apart and hesitates.

  “Ryder, I’m almost out of time. I can feel something pulling me back.”

  I look at her face and take in every inch of it, from her mouth, her nose, and lastly to her gorgeous, bright green eyes that captured my heart from the very beginning.

  With all the love in my heart I finally say, “You know the truth of our path and where it’s supposed to lead us. We’ve both seen it and lived it in our vision and it was amazing. I want you to be my wife, Calista. My life will have no purpose without you.” I hesitate for a second and then I continue whole-heartedly.

  “When we find you and you are safely home, will you fulfill the marriage bond with me?” I kiss her softly and say the last part in a whisper. “And take your place beside me as my wife, lover and princess?”

  Her wide tearful eyes are gleaming and she forcefully plants her lips on mine with determination. She looks me in the eyes and the strength I see in her is so powerful. She will make a magnificent queen. We embrace one last time before I feel the pull of being dragged back to reality. She hasn’t answered my question yet, but the last thing I hear before the dream disappears is the words I so desperately wanted to hear.

  “Yes, Ryder, I love you.”

  Chapter 20

  Calista

  I wake up right away with joyfulness in my heart. I knew that if things with Ryder progressed it would lead to the marriage bond, but it was still nice to hear him ask. The way he looked at me made my heart melt with a flooding of warmth. I wish I was with him now. If we were alone last night, I have no doubt I would have given myself to him in the dream world. My body craves his with such longing. I know it was just a dream, but it felt great to be in Ryder’s arms and to see Merrick and Elvena. I didn’t know Elvena could visit people in their dreams. She has more power than she lets on.