Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)(16)

Looking wide-eyed she warns wearily, “Mel, this isn’t right. I felt something evil here and I felt it in Finn. It reminds me of the evil I felt five years ago when I was captured by the dark sorcerer, but right now I don’t feel it at all. I think we have a problem.”

My heart sinks to the deepest levels of despair because if what she is suggesting is true, then the dark sorcerer was here and…in Finn’s body. I close my eyes and wrap my arms around my stomach. Bile rises in my throat and I begin to feel disgusted to the core. This would explain the reason for Finn’s blackouts.

I look at Calista and scream, “Damn it, Calista do you know what this means?”

She looks at me with sympathy and understanding. She says softly, “Yes, I know exactly what this means. I’m so sorry, Meliantha.” She takes my hand and pulls me into her arms. She clutches me tight and whispers in my ear, “There has to be something on him that allows the dark sorcerer to enter his body.”

I take a few deep, shaky breaths and I close my eyes while she rubs my back soothingly. “We’ll find it, Mel, but we have to find it now and get rid of it. There’s no telling when the dark sorcerer will make his move again. We need to let everyone in the court know the dark sorcerer is back.”

Tears of anger and despair are pooling behind my closed eyes and when I open them they fall, leaving warm trails in their wake. All those strange nights when I thought I was giving myself to Finn I was actually giving myself to the dark sorcerer. My chest tightens in anger because all I can think about is how much of a fool I had been not knowing the dark sorcerer was screwing me over...literally. Being violated and deceived like that makes this whole situation a million times worse. My lungs tighten and I pull away from Calista gasping for air. Finn runs over to grab my face in between his hands and Elissa runs up behind me and starts rubbing my back. They both whisper soothing words in my ear. Ashur hangs back because I know he heard my inner turmoil and he’s trying to give me space. He knows there is nothing he can do to help me. Spots cloud my vision and my legs begin to feel weak.

Finn lifts my chin for me to meet his golden amber eyes, and his voice is angelically soft when he speaks.

“You need to calm down, Mel. Breathe slower…in and out. Come on, you can do it.”

I listen to his words and I do as he says. His soothing voice lulls me back down and he pulls me into his arms and holds me tight.

“That’s it, Mel. You’re doing well,” he says while rubbing my back.

He looks at Calista and demands in an urgent tone, “I need to know what’s going on. I can tell it involves me, and you need to tell me…now!”

My mind goes numb and I no longer hear their words when my guardian’s voice enters my mind filled with concern.

“I heard your thoughts, Meliantha. Could it really be true?”Ashur asks.

“I believe so, Ashur. I feel so ashamed and violated. All those times when we…when we…” I can’t seem to finish my sentence because the thought of voicing it makes my body cringe with anger and disgust. I can’t believe I never said or did anything about Finn’s blackout episodes.

“You don’t need to say it, Meliantha. I’m sure Finn’s going to be extremely angry when he finds out.”

I sigh, “I know, and that’s what I’m afraid of.”

Finn pulls back, hands on my face, and leans down to kiss my lips. His lips feel warm against mine, but I can’t seem to feel any comfort in them. I break away from the kiss and he gives me a hesitant smile before wiping the tears from my face.

“All right everyone.” Calista grabs our attention and looks back and forth among the four of us. “Go to the cottage while I get Ariella and Merrick. We have to figure everything out immediately.” She turns to walk up the path in the direction Ariella and Merrick went while playing in the snow.

I know my voice is going to be shaky, but I speak anyway.

“OK, let’s get out of the cold and figure out what’s going on.”

I grab Finn’s hand and we only have to walk a few yards before we get to the cottage. We walk up the steps to the small front porch and Ashur opens the door to let us enter. The living room is warm and cozy making my body instantly relax, but that is not what catches my attention when I look around the room. The room smells amazing with the scents of faerie flowers. Everywhere in the room there are vases filled with the millions of different flowers we have in the Summer Court. I wonder who did it all.

“I believe Kalen did it, Princess.”

I jerk my head around to glance at Ashur and he gives me a faint smile.

“How do you know that?” I ask.

“I just do.”

Well, isn’t that just cryptic? I roll my eyes at him and I look out the window to see Calista carrying Merrick in her arms with Ariella following alongside her. I see them talking so Calista must be filling Ariella in on the events of what just happened.

“Are you going to be OK?” Elissa asks me while taking my hand.

She squeezes my hand tight and I squeeze hers back while giving her a gentle smile.

“Yes, Elissa, I’ll be fine,” I assure her. Why don’t you and Ashur pick out a room and rest before the ball?”

She nods her head slowly and complies, “OK.” Elissa kisses my cheek and heads off down the hallway to find a room. I don’t know how many rooms are in the cottage, but I’m sure she will have plenty to choose from.