Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)(36)
He opens the door and quietly shuts it back when he leaves. I need to eat and get ready for the day. I’m sure our departure has been delayed because of the incident with Elissa. She is most likely going to have a trial today to prove her innocence, and I know she will need my support. Kalen said he’ll be here first thing in the morning and it is now morning. I relax to enjoy my pumpkin bread and berries before looking through my things to find something warm to wear. I have never had to wear winter clothes, so it’ll be different having so much clothing on my body. There is one thing I know for sure: I am not going to be freezing cold today.
I decide on the cream-colored snow jacket and pants to match. I put on the outfit and I look in the mirror. I groan at the figure looking back at me. I look like a snow cone with a cherry on top.
“Your prince is coming, Meliantha,” Ashur relays silently.
I guess this will have to do. Even though I am upset about everything going on, I can’t stop the excitement bubbling in my chest at the thought of being with Kalen. I search around frantically for a pair of boots.
“I’m almost ready. I’ll be there in one minute,” I hastily reply to Ashur.
I find my boots and slide them on. I run to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I take a brush to my bundle of red hair and I can honestly say it doesn’t look too bad today. I put my winter cap on, and before exiting my room, I strap my bow and arrows to my back. Ashur is in the kitchen eating a bowl of fruit and he points at the window. My heart jumps at the sight of Kalen walking toward the cottage, and I can see Aki bounding down ahead of him.
“Where is Finn?” I ask silently, looking at Ashur.
“He didn’t want to be in here when Prince Kalen came to call on you. I thought you might also like to know that we will be here for probably an extra day since the incident with Elissa.”
I thought that would be the case. I knew there was no way I was going to leave without her. As far as Finn is concerned, I understand completely why he feels like that; however, it still makes me feel guilty.
“How are you holding up?”
Ashur shrugs his shoulders and continues to eat his fruit. He chews his food for a few seconds and then slams his fork down making a loud clatter. He voices his concern out loud this time.
“I don’t know, Princess. Coming here has been one huge disaster after another. The dark sorcerer is coming after you and there is no way to keep you safe. I’m happy you and Prince Kalen could work everything out, but it’s too dangerous for you to be here or anywhere for that matter. I hate what happened to Elissa, and all I want is to get her back.”
I take his hand and look straight into his bright green eyes.
“I know, and we will. She’ll be OK, I promise. I’m not going to let anything else happen to her,” I vow.
“Thank you,” he replies softly.
The firm knocks on the door startle me and I turn from Ashur to stare at the door. I check over my clothes to make sure I look all right before grabbing the door handle. I take a deep breath and open the door. Kalen is there in full warrior mode and so is Aki standing dutifully beside him. His eyes go wide at the sight of me and he gazes over my body with a huge grin on his face. I guess I look fine in these ridiculous clothes, but at least I’ll be warm.
It seems as though Kalen has lost his voice, but after a few seconds, it looks like he’s found it.
He holds out his hand and sounds excited when he says, “I have a surprise for you.” My eyes light up and I know I have a goofy grin on my face, but I don’t care. I instantly grab his hand and he pulls me out the door. “Come on, let’s go,” he insists.
We begin walking away from the palace and to the woods beyond. I am so used to forests of colors and greenery. Looking at one that is covered in ice is just unusual, but in a good way. It is very beautiful here, but I wouldn’t give up my plants for any of it. I can feel the cold wind against my cheeks, and I’m thankful that I dressed warmly today. Aki walks beside me rubbing against my legs, and I know that he’s happy to be coming along to wherever we are going.
Kalen squeezes my hand and I look up at him.
“Did you rest OK?” he asks curiously. There’s a look on his face that I can’t decipher, but I can sense a hidden meaning for his question. But what?
“I did rest well, thank you. I was worried about Elissa, but I knew you would take care of her. I think I was exhausted after everything that happened yesterday.”
He nods his head, “I did take care of her, and I have so much to tell you, but first...”
I look at him with a smile and I raise my eyebrows at him to prompt him to continue. When he doesn’t I decide to ask him myself.
“What is it Kalen? What were you going to say?” I can tell he wants to ask or say something, but he’s holding back.
He takes a deep breath and sighs. I detect a hint of jealousy when he speaks, “I didn’t like you being alone with Finn last night, OK. I wanted you with me and it killed me knowing that he was here alone with you and I wasn’t. If it wasn’t for the tragedy with Elissa, I was going to spend the whole evening alone with you in my cabin.”
I can only imagine what would have happened if we had that alone time. The bond would most likely have been completed and things would have been set right. I also can’t believe he was worried about me being alone with Finn. In a way I’m flattered by his jealousy, but I am also perturbed by his lack of faith in me. I can just picture him pacing and wondering if Finn was having his way with me. I know he was worried, but he needs to know that he can trust me.