Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(20)

I ask her if she loves Merrick and thankfully she claims she cares for him only as a friend. I see the truth in her eyes so I don’t doubt her claims, but Merrick is going to be another issue. A man in love will do impossible things. I just hope he doesn’t get in my way. I don’t want to hurt him because I know it would hurt Calista and the last thing I want is to push her away when I’m just getting to know her.

We say our goodbyes and I save her sister from my brother like she asks. I spend the rest of the time watching her dance with the other warriors and then finally her evening ends with a last dance with Aelfric, the leader of the Elvan Kingdom. I heard that she visits the Elvan Kingdom regularly and will be taking a trip there in a few days. The party is finally over and I see Merrick taking hold of Calista’s elbow and leading her out of the great room.



After the Party-Ryder

“Did you have fun with Calista’s sister, Kalen?” I ask humorously.

Kalen says, “Oh yes, brother, she’s an amazing girl. Her ability is for nature and animals. I told her of my pack of white wolves we have in the Winter Court and she was totally fascinated about it. We spent the whole time talking about animals. She’s the only girl that I’ve ever talked to that has loved talking about animals.

My brother loves his animals, but he’s never been fortunate enough to find a girl that has a love for animals, too. I’m glad he could share that with her.

“We need to find Warren and settle in for the night,” I say while looking around the room searching for him.

“I agree.” Kalen walks beside me with a sly grin and wriggles his eyebrows.

“I saw you with the Princess. It was looking kind of hot and heavy there for a while. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

I whisper, “I plan to meet her tonight, but I need you to make sure that Warren doesn’t find out. He’s been acting strange and I just don’t want him to know. I’m going to get Heylfred to check on him when we get back. I trust you to keep this a secret.”

“Of course, Ryder, whatever you need me to do, I’ll do,” he insists.

I clap his shoulder and we search for Warren. We find him talking to Avery, the counselor for the Summer Court, and when they see us approach Warren averts his gaze quickly, like he’s guilty of something.

I look at him suspiciously.

“Are you ready to retire?” I ask.

He walks away from Avery and says, “Yes, I’m ready. It’s been a long night.”

I need to find Xylia fast, before everyone leaves for the night.

I say quickly, “Good, Kalen will show you the way to our rooms. I have a few things I need to do first.”

Warren looks at me skeptically, but I keep my face blank. I can’t let him know what I’m doing. The outburst he had about the princess has me very cautious around him. I don’t want to have to hurt my oldest friend, but I will if I have to. They both leave and I look around to find the one person I need. Once I spot her and get her attention she comes right over.

“Is there something I can help you with, Prince Ryder?” Xylia asks skeptically.

“As a matter of fact, there is. Can you do me a favor?” I whisper.

“Depends,” she says smiling. “Will there be stealth involved?” She looks all around darting her eyes back and forth and rubbing her hands together in anticipation. She reminds me of my brother with his sense of humor and spunky personality.

Laughing, I say, “Yes, there will be lots of stealth involved.”

“Then I’m in, sweet thing,” she says and winks.

I lean in closer to her and whisper, “I’m going to meet Calista tonight and I need you to make sure Merrick doesn’t come looking for her if he suspects she is missing.”

Her face falls.

“Do you realize how much he is going to hate me if he finds out? Not to mention the amount of trouble I could get into?”

“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think you couldn’t do it.” I look around quickly to make sure no one is listening and then I look back at her. “Please, I really need to speak to her in private. It is very important that I talk to her.”

She smiles.

“Okay, I’ll make it happen.”

We separate and head out of the Great Room. I have one hour to kill before it’s time to meet Calista. What should I do in this hour?





Chapter 11


Calista


Merrick takes my elbow and leads me out of the Great Room. We walk through the palace and head to my room, or my rooms is more like it. In my wing of the house I have a total of ten different rooms to choose from. I have my library and my bedroom that I mainly use. I have a game room, a media room that’s basically a mini theater, and the other six are just bedrooms. Xylia stays here a lot with me and she picks a different room to stay in each time. Merrick and I finally reach my bedroom door and it feels like an eternity walking all this way in silence, but I was trying to plot my escape.

“Which room would you like to be yours, Merrick?” I ask.

“Whichever one is closest to you,” he says with a slight grin.

“I don’t think you will approve of that room because the closest room to mine is the pink one,” I laugh. I can just imagine him taking residence in a pink room. The other warriors would never let him live it down.