Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(41)
He laughs and shakes his head.
“I don’t think Ryder will be caring what happens to you. I did a pretty good job filling his head with nonsense. I told him some pretty convincing lies about how you and Merrick were being a little more than friendly this morning and he ate it all up.”
My face falls and all traces of my smile are gone. So that’s what was wrong with him. Warren had told him a bunch of lies and Ryder had believed him. The lack of trust hurts, but Warren has been his best friend for years and he’s only known me for two days. Can I really blame him? No, but the lack of trust pains my heart. I would never have doubted him like that.
Confident, I say, “Someone will come looking for me. I have no doubt.”
“They can try, but once we reach the Black Forest it’ll be a hopeless attempt. My master has been waiting for you a long time and he’s not going to let you go without a fight,” Warren says.
How are my people going to save me in the Black Forest? No one goes in there so how will they know where to find me? I need to find out as much as I can because if no one can save me, I need to save myself.
“Who is this master you speak of?” I ask.
“You will meet him tomorrow, but tonight you must rest. If you must know, he was the sole survivor of the war between the sorcerers a century ago. His name is Alasdair and he has been building his army and his power slowly during this time in the Black Forest. He needs your power to speed things along.”
“What can my power do?” I ask. The more I know the better chance I have of thwarting this sorcerer’s plans.
“He needs your power to help fulfill his. You are the beginning of The Four and he must start with you. I’m sure he will explain everything.” Warren motions to the food.
“You need to eat. We have a long day of travelling tomorrow and the master doesn’t want you starved.” He looks my body up and down slowly and smiles.
“The master will love you in that dress.” I make a disgusted noise. He winks and walks out of the room locking the door behind him.
I tear the dress off and put on the robe that I saw hanging on the bathroom door. I make my way over to the food and pull off the cover. What I find surprises me. On the plate is a mound of spaghetti, a bowl of salad with ranch dressing and garlic bread. How did Warren know this was my favorite? As much as I want to eat it, I don’t. My body is tired and my eyes start to feel heavy. I feel weak from malnourishment, but I can’t bring myself to eat the food. I decide the best thing to do is try to sleep.
I lay there for what feels like an eternity knowing very well I won’t be able to fall asleep, but then I feel a pull dragging me down into blackness. The first thing I hear as I’m falling under is the sound of Ryder’s voice.
“Calista.”
Chapter 19
Ryder
Kalen and I search for Warren until right before the meeting was supposed to start, and we end up being the last ones to enter the room. The King and Queen are in their respective thrones while the council members are arranged around the table in the center of the room. The elvan leader is here, along with his wife and the only council members missing are Avery and Xylia’s parents. I wonder if anything has been discovered about her parents. Merrick is not yet in the room and neither is Calista. I know she wouldn’t miss a meeting, not unless she’s that pissed off at me, but I can’t see her neglecting her duty because of that.
Kalen gets my attention by tapping my shoulder.
“How long do you think it’ll be before they find out anything?” He asks.
As soon as he says it Merrick and Elvena walk through the Great Room doors looking grim.
“It looks like we’ll find out now,” I say.
They both have a look of anguish and heartache on their faces and they walk toward the front somberly where King Oberon and Queen Tatiana are seated.
King Oberon stands and says, “What have you seen Elvena? Is it true about Raisa and Foster?”
Raisa and Foster must be the names of Xylia’s parents. Elvena looks like she’s been crying, but that doesn’t stop the strength from coming out in her voice.
“It is true. There were two traces I found of ash, and one was Raisa’s and the other was Foster’s.” Her lip trembles and she looks down at the floor. Her shoulders shake with a silent sob and then she says softly, “Xylia must be told about her parents.”
King Oberon nods solemnly and says, “I agree.” He turns his head, looks at one of the warriors and calls out the warrior’s name.
“Conall.”
Conall was one of the warriors that fought in the competition to earn the title of Guardian to Princess Calista. He walks to the front and bows his head before the King.
“What do you need me to do, Your Majesty?”
The King looks sorrowful and apologetic when he responds.
“I need you to find Xylia and speak to her. I would ask Calista to go with you, but she’s not here yet and I fear the longer we wait the worse it will be for her. I know Xylia thinks highly of you and she will need you there to comfort her. Please tell her we will do everything we can to find who is responsible.” Conall bows to the King again and then straightens up to walk out of the Great Room. I could see it in his eyes that it pained him to have to tell Xylia of her loss.
King Oberon’s voice sounds determined when he announces, “Raisa and Foster will not be forgotten, nor will their deaths be in vain. They were loyal council members and dear friends to Queen and me. Once things have settled we will hold a memorial for them and honor them the way they should be honored.” Losing a close friend is not easy and I will have to endure the same feelings of it soon once Warren and I find out that he is indeed a traitor.