Chosen Fool (Forever Evermore #5)(25)

I stared at him, my hand slowly releasing Leric’s hair. My stomach twisted as hurt ate away at it—hurt from his comment and the fact no one here seemed to respect me. I swallowed once, lightly shoving at Leric’s weight, and amazingly he leaned away from me a bit. I cleared my throat, running a hand through my hair and murmuring quietly, “Right. I understand.”

I was pretty sure no one saw it coming when I opened my Core, placed my hands gently on Leric’s shoulders, and leaned on him. Over his shoulder I stated to Elder Farrar, “It’s funny. I would think a man of your age would know not to underestimate someone. Especially when you don’t know the full extent of that individual’s powers. And I believe, Elder Farrar, you have done just that.” Puckering my lips, I blew lightly on Elder Farrar’s face. A sprinkling of the stars glittered between us.

His golden eyes completely emptied of intelligence.

I whispered, “Sleep, *.”

Elder Farrar’s lids instantly closed, and he started to drop.

Queen Ruckler jumped forward, catching him before he hit the ground. With her wolf riding her tone, she shouted, “What the f*ck did you do to him?”

“The young and inexperienced just taught the old and experienced a f*cking valuable lesson,” I muttered as my fingers dug into Leric’s shoulders, entirely upset by this evening. “And don’t go all wolf on me, he’s just sleeping.”

Crouching on the ground, Queen Ruckler softly ran a hand over Elder Farrar’s cheek, her glowing eyes flaring with fury. “He’d better be.”

My eyebrows rose. “Or what?” I blinked innocently. “You’ll be sleeping with him?”

Her wolf growled and she started to rise, but King Zeller and King Collins were instantly standing between us, both of them holding their hands out to ward off a pending fight.

King Zeller spoke quietly to Queen Ruckler.

King Collins glared at me, snarling, “I get it, Caro. I do. But think about who he is to her.” He shook his head. “Don’t piss her off too badly, or she’ll be the one sneaking into bedrooms and offing anyone she thinks is a threat to her family.”

My jaw clenched, and trying to control my emotions, I turned my head a bit and put my face into Leric’s soft white rolls of hair. I shoved away from him and turned my back on everyone. “Fine, I understand.” I waved a hand behind me toward the floor. “He’ll wake up shortly.”

I stared into golden eyes again. Leric stood in front of me—the damn man still wouldn’t move—while I listened to Elder Farrar state, “Caro, that was an interesting incident, but I still need to do this.”

“And, again, I don’t f*cking like it.” Leric paused, throwing a hand up behind him and covering my mouth when I started to open it. “But, with that being said, I will allow it if you allow me to touch you while you retrieve the memory from her.”

Elder Farrar shrugged a shoulder as I smacked Leric’s hand away, and he stated, “I’m good with that. I already said I’m not doing this with malevolent intent.” Golden eyes found mine. “Are you fine with that deal?”

About damn time someone asked me. “Yes.” Dry words. “Thank you for asking.”

His lips curved cynically. “You’re welcome.” The Mage stepped forward, moving closer to us as he lifted a hand that started glowing golden. “You’re magically protected, so it might take me a moment to retrieve the memory for everyone else to view.”

I took a step forward on the mattress so he could reach me. It put my front flush with Leric’s back, but I nodded.

Then a tiny scream died on my lips as I stared where Leric’s glowing bright white hand was suddenly on Elder Farrar’s throat, who froze at the abrupt contact. My eyes wide, I gaped, but Elder Farrar didn’t turn to ash. Leric was only keeping his hand there. I tapped Leric’s shoulder, unable to take my gaze away from his hand, even though Elder Farrar unfroze—he had given Leric permission—to raise his own glowing hand ever so slowly toward my forehead. I whispered, “Leric, don’t…” I couldn’t finish it in front of everyone.

“I won’t, as long as he behaves.” Leric shrugged a shoulder. “It’s his choice.”

“Not really a f*cking choice if he doesn’t understand,” I whispered furiously against his ear, but I turned my head to Elder Farrar’s hand, the heat from his skin nearing.

I froze when he touched me.

Instant concern from Leric. “Sprite?”

“I’m fine,” I groused, shuddering a bit in relief. “I half expected the sandpaper feeling, but it’s not there.”

“Sandpaper feeling?” Elder Farrar asked quietly, his throat being squeezed a bit by Leric’s hand. His eyebrows were puckered in confusion.

“You know, when someone’s testing me for my powers from far away, it feels like sandpaper rubbing against my skin.”

“Ah, now the sandpaper comment makes sense.” Elder Farrar’s eyebrows lifted while his eyes started to glow minutely. “Even spirit Elementals?”

“Yes. It happens with all Mysticals. I think it’s because of the protection surrounding us, since that’s not normal.”

“Us?”

“Yeah, Sin and I. We’ve both got it.”