Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)(8)
“That’s the thing, Ashur. Nothing happened between me and Kalen,” I say aloud. He gives me a disbelieving look, so I continue more forcefully. “I’ll be fine. I’m strong now and nothing and no one is going to hurt me anymore.”
His eyes go gentle when he murmurs, “I know you’re strong, but you are mine to protect, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.” Hearing his words softens my heart a little, and I can feel a slight burn behind my eyes; however, I quickly brush it away and smile. He’ll make someone very happy someday, maybe even Elissa.
“Thank you, Ashur. Elissa would be very lucky to have you,” I respond, waiting for a reaction.
He just smiles and shakes his head. I was expecting him to say something, but instead he leads me on our way. We make it to the grand staircase and I see everyone down below standing around waiting on me. I did take a little extra time in preparing for departure, but I’m not exactly in a hurry to get to the Winter Court. I look at each one individually as I make my way down the marble steps. I see Elissa giving Ashur a timid smile, and I sneak a peek to my side to see Ashur return it with one of his own.
“Do not say a word, Meliantha,” he warns silently.
“I’m not Ashur, but I think you need to tell her how you feel.”
His reply is a grunt so I just laugh and continue on down the steps. My sister, Ariella, is in her own world checking over her bags. Training with the warriors has changed her in a good way. She still likes to play her tricks and cause mischief, but the past five years have turned her from a self-centered girl to a woman. In a few months she will be twenty-one and everything will change for her once she gets her guardian. I know there are plenty of warriors that are dying for the chance to be her protector. I take my eyes away from my beautiful blonde sister to my brother Drake. His fire red eyebrows are raised and he’s smirking at me with a quirk to his lip. I know he’s not surprised to see me in my warrior attire, but I think he is waiting to see how I handle our parents. Finn is standing off to the side and he has a huge smile on his face. His glowing amber eyes are feasting on my body with pride and it makes me smile. He always says he loves me in my leathers and that the way it hugs my body turns him on. I normally just roll my eyes at him when he says stuff like that, but it’s nice to be admired. I spent years with the warriors never noticing me, and now it’s like they can’t get enough. It’s been very interesting the past couple of years. I take a deep breath before looking at my parents, and when I see them their shocked expressions are just what I am expecting. Leave it to my mother to make an outburst.
“Meliantha! Just where do you think you are going looking like that?” my mother, Queen Tatiana, argues.
I was expecting her hostility, but to avoid a screaming match, I say nonchalantly, “I’m going to the Winter Court and I’m going to ride with the warriors alongside Finn and Ashur. I’m no longer a child or a frilly little princess that has to hide inside of a carriage. I am proud to be who I am, and this is my decision.”
My mother looks at Ashur and he gives her an apologetic look. She huffs in aggravation before walking out the front doors. Drake gives me a grin and a thumbs up before walking out after my mother. Ariella just shakes her head and smiles before leaving the room. Finn and Elissa decide to hang back with Ashur and me; meanwhile, my father comes up to me and takes my face in his hands.
“We’re just worried about you, dear. The dark sorcerer will come after you one day and we need to be careful. This is the first time you’re venturing out, so you can’t blame us for wanting to keep you safe. You’re an excellent fighter, but that doesn’t mean you’re invincible.” He looks back and forth between Ashur and Finn and commands, “Watch her, both of you. I don’t think you want to know what I’ll do to you if something bad happens to her.”
They both look like they’re trying to swallow a brick and it takes everything in me to keep from smiling. They bow their heads and reply together, “Yes, Your Highness.”
My father turns around and makes his way out the door. The servants are milling about gathering my family’s things to load them into the carriages. Ashur gives a quick glance to Elissa and then turns to me.
“I am going to get your horse ready. I will see you out there,” he says silently.
He nods to both Finn and Elissa and then strides toward the front doors.
Elissa watches him saunter away and quickly exclaims, “I’m going to go, too. See you out there!” She runs off to catch up with Ashur and trails beside him on the way out the door. I can’t help but smile as I watch. Ashur needs to find someone that will love him, and Elissa would be the perfect woman.
Finn leans down to kiss my cheek and whispers, “You look amazing, Mel. You and leather go together perfectly.”
I smile and give him a wink while looking appreciatively down his body. He has his long hair pulled back and he’s wearing his complete warrior gear. Tonight he’ll be in a tuxedo and on my arm the whole night. He’s my date for the evening so wearing his warrior gear will not be needed. Hopefully, he can keep my mind off of a certain Winter Prince.
I reach up to run his long, silky hair through my fingers before asking, “Will you wear your hair down for me tonight?”
He smiles and moves closer to me, “I will do whatever you wish for me to do, Mel.” Giving me a wolfish grin he continues, “That way it’ll already be down the way you like it when I take you to bed tonight.”