Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(22)

“Merrick! Please let me go. I don’t want to do this. I do love you, but you have to let me go. NOW!”

My pleading and angry outburst breaks the trance and he pulls away from me abruptly then bows his head, ashamed of his actions. He kneels and apologizes over and over.

“Calista, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Our connection is so strong and the emotions just got too much to handle. I thought there could be a chance for us now that I’m your guardian.” He pauses. “Please tell me you’ll at least give me a chance,” he pleads. A tear escapes his eye and my heart goes out to him. I felt the love he feels and it’s a genuinely pure emotion he feels for me. I kneel to him and put his face in my hands. My anger dissolves and I try to lighten the mood by using my smart ass ways to break the tension.

“Don’t worry, Merrick. We still have training tomorrow morning. I can kick your ass to pay you back,” I say with a smile, hoping he will cheer up. He tries to smile back, but I can tell it’s forced. He gets back on his feet and wipes the tears off his face with the back of his hand.

“Yes, you can. I am so sorry about tonight. All I ask is that you please think about what I’ve said.” Before I can comment he puts his finger to my lips to stop me. “Please, don’t say it. I know you don’t feel as strongly for me as I do for you, but one day you might.” His expression looks hopeful and I can’t help but feel guilty because I know my feelings won’t change. “We are going to be together for hundreds of years, well, if nothing happens during that time. But we’ll be side by side. If you don’t choose me, I’ll eventually get over it, but please give me a chance.”

He lets his finger slowly leave my lips and he kisses my cheek before walking to the door to open it. I am speechless and I have no clue how to break it to him gently that giving him a chance will never happen. He turns to look at me once more and without saying the words I hear them.

“Goodnight, Calista. I’ll see you in the morning and will not bother you any more tonight. Remember, I’m just across the hall if you need me. Sweet dreams, Cali.”

I smile warmly at him and say, “Sweet dreams, Merrick, my guardian.”

He gives me one last smile, opens the door and then shuts it silently. I walk to the door and lean against it, totally confused as to what has happened. I had actually let Merrick kiss me. I did try to pull away, but I also know I didn’t put any full force into it. I don’t want to give him the wrong idea, but I just blew the hell out of that one. What am I going to tell Ryder? Or better yet, should I tell him? The kiss didn’t mean anything to me and I can honestly say I didn’t kiss him back. I just stood there in shock.

A knock on the door breaks me from my silent scolding and I open the door to find Xylia there jumping up and down with excitement. She rushes in my room without an invite and I look at her like she’s lost her mind.

“What are you so happy for?” I ask.

Prancing around my room she says in a sing song voice, “Guess what I found out tonight? I found out that my best friend is having a secret rendezvous with a certain Winter Court Prince. Am I right on that?”

I shut the door quickly.

“Be quiet or Merrick will hear you, and yes I am meeting Ryder tonight,” I hiss. “How did you find out about that?”

“Ryder pulled me aside and told me. He said he might need my help for a distraction, but it looks like you might not need me. What happened to Merrick?” She asks.

I groan and flop onto my bed. Xylia joins me and we lay in silence for a few minutes.

“Was it that bad?” Xylia asks.

“You have no idea. He finally confessed his feelings tonight and told me he loved me.” I look over at Xylia and she doesn’t seem surprised. I should have known she wouldn’t be.

“He kissed me, too. I mean he really kissed me and I had to make him stop,” I say sadly.

Xylia jumps off the bed and goes straight for the door.

“How dare he do that to you. What the hell was he thinking? I’m going to take his greasy lips and yank them over his f*cking head,” she screams. I grab her before she gets to the door and turn her around.

“It wasn’t like that, I promise,” I say as I try to calm her down. “You know very well I can take care of myself. I’m stronger than you, Xylia, remember?” I stand up straight and lift my chin high in the air. In a mock exaggerated voice, I joke, “I am the all-powerful Princess. Nothing can take me down.”

This gets her to laugh and she comes back to the bed to lie beside me. I sigh heavily and explain the situation to her.

“He had so many emotions built up inside of him and he just let them go. The passion was unbelievable and it was overwhelming. I just wish I felt that way in return.”

Xylia interrupts me and asks curiously, “Is he a good kisser?” I knew she would ask something like this, so I sit up and hit her upside the head with my pillow.

“Ah!” She cries, flipping off the bed and landing with a loud thump, laughing the whole way. She sits up rubbing the side of her head and hiccupping from laughing so hard.

“Ow, you’re supposed to beat up on Merrick, not me.”

I bend over the side of the bed and smile at her.

“See, I told you I could take care of myself,” I tease.

Xylia smirks and replies, “Yeah, yeah, I’ll get you back for that.”