Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)(42)
“Yes, I’m fine. I told you I would be,” she says.
She must have talked to him silently during my breakdown. He could probably feel her distress and wanted to make sure she was alright and out of danger. I don’t think she will ever be out of danger until we bond ourselves together. He narrows his eyes at her and nods his head.
“I told you there would be a surprise for you inside when you got back. I think you need to come see it,” he says with a grin. I bet I know what he’s talking about and I’m sure Meliantha will be pleased.
She looks up at me and I nod my head.
“Have fun and I will see you in an hour.” I kiss her gently across the lips and I look at Ashur and say, “I would like for you to escort her to my cabin when the hour is up. She doesn’t need to be alone, and I want Aki with you as well.”
“I will, Your Highness,” Ashur responds firmly.
“Thank you.”
I leave Meliantha to walk to my cabin. The water has frozen in the fountain, so I send my magic to make it flow again. I look down at the ground and Meliantha’s flowers have all withered away during the night from the cold. Her flowers have always been so beautiful, and I look forward to seeing what our land is going to look like after she gets through with it. There’s going to be flowers everywhere, all full of vibrant colors and perfumes. I can only imagine what it would be like to take her body amidst them.
I open the door to my cabin and my instincts quickly become alert, warning me of danger. The evil is so potent in the air that I can taste the bitterness of it going down the back of my throat. I grasp my sword and I draw it out of the holster on my waist. I glance around the room, searching the lower level of my cabin thoroughly, but find nothing. I make my way to the stairs and climb each one of them as quietly as I can. The hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up and my heart begins to race. The stench of black magic is coming from my bedroom. I hastily make my way to the door. I’m sick of being played for a fool by the dark sorcerer, and one way or another, these games are going to end tonight.
I open the door slowly, sword in hand, and charge into the room. What I find is not what I was expecting. I have to blink my eyes twice to clear my vision because I can’t be seeing what I think I am seeing. Anger boils in my gut at the sight of Breena lying naked and lounging on my bed like she belongs there. Her face looks like shit from where Meliantha hit her.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask furiously.
Her mouth folds down into a pout and she lifts up on her knees.
“Well, good evening to you too, lover,” she croons.
Not only is she supposed to be off the palace grounds, but I am afraid I’m also going to have to banish her from the Winter Court altogether. Why would she do this to me? If Meliantha shows up, this situation is going to turn ugly real fast.
“I’m not your lover, not anymore. I’m going to give you ten seconds to get dressed and get the hell out of here before I throw your ass out myself. Believe me, that’s the last thing you want!” I yell venomously.
I am caught off guard as I hear a voice speak out behind me, “Oh, I think she will be staying, and for that matter, I think I will, too.”
I am frozen in place because the voice isn’t from someone I know, and by the way the magic feels in the room, there is only one person it could be. The anger and rage from before intensifies and the sword in my hand shakes along with the rest of my body. This bastard is going to pay for what he has taken from me.
I turn around slowly, vision turning red with rage, and stare disdainfully at the one creature that has tormented and destroyed the lives of those I hold dear, including my own. The dark sorcerer appears as nothing but a shadow until his form starts to ripple and he takes on the shape of a man before me.
I stand bewildered as I look upon my own reflection before me. So this is what he looked like when Meliantha thought it was me five years ago. With my sword held tightly in my hands, and with the speed of lightning, I slice my sword down into an arc across his body. It sinks right through him as if he was air, not damaging him at all.
The dark sorcerer laughs and shakes his head.
“Now, now, Prince Kalen. I don’t think that was a proper greeting.”
“Fuck you,” I snap. I scan the room to find something, anything, I can use to distract him, but what can be used to distract a being that can’t be killed?
“I wouldn’t bother if I were you. There’s nothing in here that will protect you from me,” he smirks.
“What do you want?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. I have to find a way to warn Meliantha, but how? The dreaded feeling in my stomach warns me that I’m too late and there’s nothing I can do. We should have just completed the bond instead of wasting our time in the palace. I wish I could kick myself in the ass for being so stupid. The dark sorcerer approaches me and I stand my ground firmly. I refuse to cower and bow down to this man. I match his sadistic glare with one of my own, and it seems to amuse him which infuriates me more.
“I think you know what I want,” he taunts darkly.
“You can’t have her!” I yell into his face.
He takes a step back and laughs while his appearance begins to blur and takes on the shape of another man. I stare transfixed as the transformation comes to a close. There’s a dark cloud surrounding him, and the stench of black magic permeates the room making it smell dank and rancid. This must be what the dark sorcerer looks like in his true form.