Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(23)
I wink at her and lie back on the bed. She climbs back up to join me.
I say, “I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to hurt him. He’s going to be with me for as long as we live and if I choose another man, he’s going to be right there witnessing it all. I’ll feel guilty, always.”
Xylia reaches over and grabs my hand, “Merrick will move on one day. It may take a while, but eventually, he will. I’ve seen you with Ryder and I watched you two dancing tonight. I can visibly see the connection between you.”
I sigh remembering what it felt like to be in his arms. I loved dancing with him because it gave me the chance to get close to him. I really can’t wait to see him without all the prying eyes later.
I look at Xylia sheepishly.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” She looks at me excited and urges me to continue. “When Ryder and I touched tonight, I had a vision….and I remember it.”
“I thought you said you couldn’t remember what you saw?” She says in disbelief.
“Oh no, Xylia, I remember everything I saw and so does Ryder.” She waves her hand for me to continue so I do.
“When he told me he remembered what he saw, we both decided to meet in private to discuss it. We haven’t even talked about it with each other yet. In the vision the leaves are all different shades of color. Not green like it is here and definitely no other place I have been. The air is breezy and cool and I’m with somebody. I’m holding his hand, but I can’t really see his face. I’m almost positive it’s Ryder. The land feels different when I touch it, but it also feels familiar, like it’s mine. The love I feel for the man in my vision is beyond anything you could ever imagine. His power matches mine and the land belongs to us.”
I look over at Xylia, and her mouth is wide open. I think she is just as shocked with my vision as I am.
“You have to talk to Elvena about this. Do you think this has something to do with the prophecy?” I shrug my shoulders and she continues.
“I hear my parents talking about the Black Forest all the time. The evil grows and if we don’t have the magic and strength to fight back, we’re doomed. We all know you are the start of saving our land and it looks like Ryder is the one who helps you. The prophecy says you will be drawn to another. Ryder has to be the one.”
“I don’t want him to want to be with me because of the prophecy,” I exclaim.
Her face falls as the realization dawns on her.
“I’m sorry, Calista. I didn’t think about that.”
The thought of him only being drawn to me because of the prophecy is disheartening. I want him to be drawn to me because of who I am and not because of some prophecy and saving the Land of the Fae.
I jump up looking around for the time.
“What time is it? I have to meet Ryder at midnight.”
Xylia looks at the clock.
“Well, honey, you have three minutes to get there. I suggest you hurry. Before you go, I have something to tell you.” She’s bouncing up and down on the bed and I look at her questioningly. “Conall and I kissed tonight,” she squeals.
“Xylia, that’s great. I am so happy for you,” I squeal back.
She waves me off and says, “I will tell you all about it later. I just couldn’t keep it a secret any longer. You have to go or you will be late.”
“I can’t go out my door or Merrick will hear it. What am I going to do?” I search around frantically to figure out my escape plan. I can always go out the window, but I’ve never had to do it before. In order to do it, I need to change out of my dress. I change really fast into a pair of jeans, a form-fitting pink tee and my sneakers. I head over to the window and look down.
Xylia asks curiously, “You know, we are a few stories high off the ground. How are you going to get down and back up?”
“Watch and learn.” I open the window and lean over the edge. I haven’t used my magic in a while, so I decide to give it a go. I call upon the wind to embrace me. It lifts me up out of the window and glides me down to the ground. The feeling of the magic surrounding my body caresses me like a soft blanket. It makes everything feel warm and it’s like a glow takes over my body. I guess you could say it feels like being high on faery dust, but this high is on magic.
Xylia calls down to me, “I’m going to wait here in your room until you get back. That way, Merrick will think we are still in here having girl time. I also want to hear all the juicy details when you get back. Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She winks at me and waves her hands at me to move on.
“Keep the window open for me, will you?” I whisper loudly.
She nods her head yes, smiles and then gives me the thumbs up sign. I’m going to be a few minutes late, but he said he would wait. I make my way to the back of the palace and head to the path. The lake should be up ahead about a quarter of a mile. What all am I going to tell him? Will he think differently of me if I tell him Merrick kissed me? What if he is the guy in the vision? If he is, how will I know if what we feel is real?
Chapter 12
Ryder
After I leave the Great Room, I decide to spend my time taking a walk. It’s night outside, but the air is still hot and humid. I hope Xylia can help me if Merrick presents a problem. The gardens are beautiful and well kempt. Calista’s sister has a wonderful talent. The vibrant colors are a welcoming sight. We don’t have flower gardens in the Winter Court, but our lands are just as beautiful. It is definitely not as hot at home and I will be glad to get home away from this heat, but not glad to leave Calista. How am I going to find a reason to see her again?