Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(48)
I tried to keep my face blank so Warren wouldn’t know what I was doing. I don’t think he even realizes that I can speak to Merrick right now. Warren looks at me and then back to the area where the house was just a few seconds ago.
He says, “You’re not going crazy if that’s what you’re wondering. The house was there and now it’s not. It remained invisible the whole time we were in there so any chance of anyone finding us was zilch.”
“Calista! Oh thank the gods, are you OK? You’re not hurt, are you?” Merrick asks frantically.
“No, Merrick, I’m fine. I’m about to get into the carriage and then I won’t be able to communicate. Avery came to me this morning and it didn’t go over very well. He sure can be a complete dick, but he’s here now with Warren and we are on our way to the Black Forest. There’s also a troll here that’s driving the carriage.”
I can hear Merrick sigh and hesitate when he asks, “Did Avery do anything to you?”
“Nothing I can’t handle, Merrick. Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. My time’s up,” I add quickly.
“Stay strong, Calista. I love you.”
My chest tightens at hearing him say it and the pain in the back of my throat makes it hard to breathe. The connection broke as soon as he said those three words. In a way I’m glad I didn’t have time to comment on it, but if I would have said it back he would have taken it the wrong way. I do love him, and he knows I do, but not in that way. If I ever do get rescued, I don’t know how I’m going to handle the guys when I get back.
I step into the carriage and see that, thankfully, I am going to be by myself. Avery rides up on a horse and gives me a snarled expression as he passes the carriage. I politely give him the finger and he rides off. Warren is also on horseback and is riding behind the carriage. If they were in here with me, I would probably try to kill them with my bare hands and I don’t think I would come out unscathed after that.
The journey to the Black Forest takes about half the day and I spend most of the time impatient and restless. My knees bounce up and down, making the carriage sway back and forth the entire time. Warren rides up beside the carriage at one point and tilts his head to the side. He sees my leg bouncing and clamps his lips together. I believe my nervousness has him trying to hold in a laugh.
I have never been to the Black Forest so I have no idea what to expect. All I can say is that it definitely lives up to its name. As soon as the forest begins the light diminishes. It’s scary and depressing at the same time and I can’t imagine what it would be like to live here. The feeling of dread settles in the pit of my stomach and I find myself actually afraid. Yes, I’m strong and stubborn, but my skin has gone clammy and my pulse has started racing. The darkness of the forest feels like it is eating away my courage and replacing it with defeat.
I take a few deep breaths and whisper to myself, “I must stay strong. I must stay strong. I must stay strong.”
The farther we get into the forest the more I get the feeling of being watched. My scalp prickles and the hair standing up on the back of my neck is a good indicator as well. I sit up to look out the side window of the carriage and I notice the trees have grown darker. The trunks look rotted and the leaves and limbs look like they are spilling oil. The entire place reeks of violence and death. I can’t stand to see any more so I sit back in the carriage and close my eyes. Visions of my family and Ryder pop into my head and I let the feelings of peace consume me. I revel in it for these last few minutes I have left.
The carriage comes to a stop. My heart rate speeds up and my breathing quickens. I look from side to side and see we have entered a village of some kind. There are different types of house scattered about the area. Some are made of wood, some of clay and some of bricks. There are also houses up in the trees. Warren comes to open the carriage door and Avery is there to take my arm. As soon as I am out of the carriage, I feel my link to Merrick open back up. I keep my expression blank and look at both Avery and Warren. They’re not paying attention to me so I concentrate on Merrick.
“Calista, are you there? I can feel you,” he begins.
I need to concentrate on keeping my face neutral while I talk to Merrick. Warren and Avery look at me and all I want to do is slap the smug expressions off their faces. The troll that drove the carriage is with us, too.
There are different fae creatures everywhere. When they see me, their eyes sparkle and they bounce up and down squealing, singing, and chanting as loud as they can. I keep my expression blank and continue walking. My insides are in turmoil with the raging emotions I’m feeling. I’m furious, scared, humiliated, sad, lonely and I just want to be at home. Talking to Merrick right now is the only thing keeping me sane. I wonder how long our connection will last.
“I’m here Merrick. We made it to the Black Forest and now we’re making our way through the village. There are fae creatures everywhere and it’s like a parade right now. They’re all jumping up and down and celebrating that I’m here,” I say.
“I can’t tell you of our plans, but just know that you won’t be there long,” Merrick claims.
I breathe a silent sigh of relief and keep my head high. No matter how I feel, I can’t let them know how scared I truly am. I have to be strong for my people and my family. It looks like we’re headed to a huge tree that resembles a small redwood, but slick and black. It’s a monster of a tree and I see a door carved into it.