Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(13)
I could see the shock on Princess Calista’s face when she first heard her guardian speaking to her in her mind. I have never been so jealous over anything in my life. I don’t know where the jealousy is coming from, but it’s a very strong feeling. They playfully laugh at each other while silently conversing and all I want to do is shove my sword in my gut to put me out of my misery. Or better yet, shove it up her guardian’s ass. Now that would make me feel a lot better.
The princess takes her seat by her father while the servants are moving away all the extra chairs and bringing in the food. The band starts to play a cheery melody to get the guests in brighter spirits. Not everyone enjoys watching the fights, including Princess Calista.
Kalen elbows me in the arm.
“Ryder, I’m going to go check out the food and meet some chicks. There are some pretty fine females here. You want to come with?” Kalen asks.
“No man, you go ahead. I’m going to take a look around,” I respond.
Not believing a word I’ve said, Kalen jokes, “Yeah, I bet. Taking a look around the princess is more like it.”
I smack him upside the head and push him in the direction of the food.
Laughing, I say, “Do me a favor, Kalen, and stay out of trouble.”
He looks at me with a mock exaggerated expression.
“Who me? In trouble? Never.” He laughs and walks off toward the refreshments.
Still laughing about my brother I turn to Warren as I see him starting to leave.
“Where are you going off to?”
“I’ll be around,” was all he said and took off.
That was fine with me. I don’t want him near me when I meet the princess if he’s going to be a dick. I watch the princess make her rounds. She talks to the king and queen of the elves for a while, and they share many laughs and embraces. I can tell they are close. She sees me watching her and she smiles. Her face looks so angelic when she smiles. Her guardian notices the interaction and gives me a scowl. I return the gesture in kind with the flip of a finger. She continues to make her rounds through the council and her other guests. I notice Warren in the far corner talking to the head of the Summer Court council. It’s the same guy that Princess Calista obviously doesn’t like. I wonder what they’re talking about. I need to make a point to ask him about it later. King Oberon catches my attention and calls me over. Princess Calista is with the two friends that she walked in with at the beginning of the ceremony. They all three turn to look at me and it is obvious the princess is talking about me. Good, I can’t wait to hear how her voice sounds when she says my name. I would love to meet her, but how can I do that without her guardian trailing along after her?
I finally reach King Oberon and he greets me.
“Welcome, Prince Ryder, I trust your journey from the Winter Court was good. How are things there?”
I bow my head to show respect and reply, “Yes, Your Highness, our trip from the Winter Court was great. I love travelling through the Mystical Forest. Things in the Winter Court are going as well as can be expected. My father, as you know, is in Endelyn with the dwarves discussing the issues of the Black Forest. We’ve had several of our fae go missing the past couple of weeks. It’s actually been happening for many years now, like it’s been happening here, if I’m not mistaken. Have your people discovered anything yet?”
“No, they have not, and I hope we discover something soon.” King Oberon takes on a weary expression, but then shakes out of it and tries to lighten the mood. “I hate your father couldn’t make it here today. He always knew how to have a good time,” the king says humorously. That makes me laugh so the king continues.
“But the queens are a different story, aren’t they?” King Oberon visibly shudders at remembering some of the tense moments from before between my mother and Queen Tatiana.
The Queen hears him say it and she gives him a playful scowl.
“Oberon, stop talking nonsense, I am not that bad,” the queen says while walking by. He winks at me and shakes his head.
“I’ll just let her keep thinking that for now,” he says, laughing. “Thank you for coming to the ceremony. I’m afraid our council meeting will be postponed for tomorrow, if you don’t mind, because this party is probably going to last a while. Do you mind delaying your departure until tomorrow evening? You are more than welcome to stay here in the guest wing of the house.”
It’s the best news I heard all night. Now I have more time to be around the princess without having to have a reason.
Keeping the excitement out of my voice, I say, “Your Highness, I would be happy to stay here and there’s no inconvenience. I don’t mind the meeting being postponed, but my brother has accompanied me as well as one of my closest friends.”
King Oberon waves me off like it’s not a bother.
“Your guests are more than welcome to stay as well. Your guards can stay in the warrior housing on our property.” He looks around like he’s trying to find someone and then he points to a guy with bright red hair.
“I want you to meet my son, Drake. He’s the leader of our army and a skilled fighter.” I see Drake across the room and there’s no way he could be missed because of his glowing red hair.
“I’ve heard of his skills. Being a dragon must have its advantages,” I say.
I meet Drake and he is an interesting character. I could tell he was sizing me up the whole time, and I have to admit I was doing the same to him. His show of testosterone was actually kind of amusing to me. He departed to tend to other things and I was left alone with the king again.