Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)(47)
“It seems we have company, my dear. I hate we couldn’t finish the fun, but if you want your prince alive you have to find me.” He bites my ear lobe this time sending a sharp pain down my body. He grinds his body into mine one last time before getting up and walking toward the door.
“May the games begin,” he taunts before leaving the room.
I try to keep my eyes from closing, but the darkness is too close. I hear heavy footsteps quickly climbing the stairs and they are making their way to me in the bedroom. I feel warm hands gently pulling my dress back into place, and then being lifted into someone’s arms.
“I’m here, Meliantha,” a voice whispers in my ear. I recognize the voice as being Finn’s, and then Ashur speaks through my mind.
“We’re both here, Princess, and we’re not going let anything else happen to you.”
“Thank you,” were the last words I said before my body gave up and took me into the darkness.
“Wake up, Mel.” I bolt awake from the feel of someone shaking me by the shoulders and I gasp for air. The room comes into focus and I am lying on my bed in the cottage. Ashur, Elissa, and Finn are surrounding the bed staring worriedly at me. My body feels fine except for the hollow ache in my heart. I close my eyes to remember how I got here and then in a flash everything comes rushing back. Kalen is gone and the dark sorcerer took his fill of my power. I failed to save Kalen, and now I have to find him. Fear and desperation fuel my every existence and I jump out of bed to gather up my warrior gear. Even though Ashur and Finn are in here, I cease to care as I change out of my dress and into my gear as quickly as possible.
“Maybe you should rest,” Elissa advises whole-heartedly. She stands in my way as I reach for my bow. “He’s gone Meliantha.”
The words sting because I know he’s gone, I was there, but I’m not going to allow him to be gone from me forever. I take a deep breath and I look at all their faces. I’m determined to find him. Even if I have to search for years, I will find him.
“I don’t care what any of you say or do, but I am going to find him, and none of you are going to stand in my way. Got it?” They all nod and back away without a word. I don’t want to have a confrontation with any of them, so I’m grateful they have decided to keep their mouths shut.
I grab my bow and arrows and my thick, long, wool cloak. It’ll keep me warm on my journey, wherever that may be. I pack up some extra clothing and blankets, and I place them in my riding satchel that will hook onto Prince Ashe’s saddle. I hastily leave my room to gather food and supplies in the kitchen. I load up as much food as I can into the satchel and I’m satisfied when it’s full. This should last me a week, at least.
“I’m coming with you,” Ashur says. He’s dressed in full warrior gear, weapons and all, and he glares at me like I have no say in the matter.
“You need to stay here with Elissa,” I reply, exasperated. We’re running out of time and I need to be on my way. I don’t know how long I was out, but I know I need to get started on the search.
Elissa walks into the kitchen and shakes her head.
“No, Meliantha. He’s going with you.” She comes over and wraps me in her arms. “I will be fine here. I’m going to the palace to raise the alarm. Go and find your prince.” She gives me a nudge to the door and I eagerly comply. Ashur has his things ready to go so I open the front door and Aki is waiting right there in front of me, poised and ready to go. I’m glad to see him because I know he is a good tracker, and he is our best chance at finding Kalen.
“Come here, Aki.” He rubs against my legs and lets out a soft whine. He misses Kalen and I can feel his anguish, but most of all I can feel his determination to get him back. “Thank you,” I whisper in his ear.
“Let’s go!” I call out to Ashur. I wish Finn would have said goodbye to me, but he disappeared off into his room once I left my bedroom. I don’t blame him, but it would have been nice to see him one last time in case I don’t come back.
We head to the stables and as soon as I see my horse, Prince Ashe, I run straight toward his stall. He paces excitedly and it lets me know that he’s glad to see me. I can tell he’s been taken good care of him because he looks well fed and his coat has a bright sheen to it. I open the stall door and he nuzzles me along the way.
“Hey there, boy. We have a long journey ahead of us, and I’m going to need your agility and swiftness to get through it. Can you do that?”
He rears back excitedly and huffs in my face. “I knew you could,” I encourage him. I saddle him up while Ashur saddles up his horse. Aki is pacing around the stables and I know he is ready to get moving. So am I.
“I’m ready when you are, Princess,” Ashur calls out.
“You hear that, Prince Ashe. Let’s go!” I command.
Aki runs ahead of us and we follow closely behind. He knows his alpha’s scent well so tracking him should be easy. We head away from the palace and out the Winter gates. Several of the Winter warriors tried to stop us, but we sped past them without a second glance. To where we are going I have no clue. All I know is that I will travel through the Land of the Fae a million times over if that is what it takes to find Kalen. If Elissa hasn’t spread the word then I am sure it has now. We ride for several hours without a moments rest until there is no more energy left to be spent. Aki is tired, and I know the horses are as well.