Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(53)
Chapter 23
Calista
I feel a pillow beneath my head and my body is lying on a soft, comfortable mattress that feels like a bed of clouds. I must be home. I bet I will open my eyes and see my purple walls and the beautiful flower arrangements that Meliantha put together for me. I slowly lift my eyelids and my spirits deflate. I wanted this to be just a nightmare, but it’s looking like I’m not going to get out of it. I look around the room and it’s the same room that I slept in at the invisible house. Am I back at that house again somehow? I sit up in the bed and I feel a cold weight swinging between my breasts. I lift it up to see the talisman that…that Ryder was wearing before I passed out.
Ryder
How could that be? I remember seeing his cold blue eyes and the evil grin that sent chills of pure terror racking throughout my body. It couldn’t be him, could it? I swing my legs over the side of the bed and slowly stand to my feet. I feel light-headed and my heart is about to pop out of my chest. I try to walk a couple of steps, but my legs are sore and aching from travelling here. I make it to the door and twist the knob.
It’s unlocked.
I open the door and peer out into the rest of the place. I am looking back and forth through a small hallway, but I can’t see around any of the corners.
“Shit, what do I do now?” I say, speaking to myself. I round the corner slowly and as I do, I see the dark sorcerer sitting in a chair with his back to me. The memories of the last time I saw him come flooding back and the realization hits me. It wasn’t Ryder that I saw, it was the dark sorcerer pretending to be him. How could I have been so stupid to believe that? What I see now is the shape of a man, but he looks like a dark shadow.
His voice startles me and I gasp, “I will tell you everything my future queen, but first I want you to come here.”
Future queen? What the hell is he thinking? He still hasn’t turned to look at me, but I must remember that I have to do as he says so he will think that the talisman is working. I take a deep breath in and let it out to calm my nerves. My stomach growls from being hungry and the energy loss from no food has taken its toll. I might not have to pretend too much. I walk over behind his chair and around to the front of him. The smile he gives me is terrifying and coming from a shadow makes it even more eerie. If he had a normal body, I would say he could be quite handsome, but I can’t seem to get over what he is. My hands are clasped behind my back so I can keep the ring out of sight.
He motions to the chair behind me and I take a seat. I put my hands in my lap covering the ring. I make sure to keep quiet until he speaks. I don’t want to draw attention to myself, so I try to look drawn and distant. He doesn’t seem to find anything suspicious with the way I’m acting so I continue on in the same manner, appearing to not have any emotions.
“How are you, Princess? I hope you like your sleeping arrangements. You looked very lovely lying there in my bed and soon when I make you my queen I will enjoy the sight of you in my bed every night with that soft, golden skin flushed with the heat and sweat of our passion,” he suggestively taunts.
I keep my face blank, but my insides are screaming. My palms begin to sweat and my throat tightens up. I can feel the tears prickling the backs of my eyes, trying to make their escape. I have to hold them back, but the thought of being stuck here to endure this man forever makes me sick to the core.
I get the feeling that he’s testing me, so I continue with my charade and say truthfully, “I am tired and hungry because I didn’t eat before travelling here. There’s a slight pressure in my mind that feels kind of strange. It’s like my life force is disappearing.”
I make sure not to say anything regarding the part of his comment about the nights. I may be able to pretend right now, but there is no way I can pretend that I will enjoy him taking over my body every night.
“That slight pressure you feel, my future queen, is the talisman taking your powers. Once I have enough of it I’ll take it off you and you will never have to wear it again because you won’t need it. Your body will partly become my slave.”
“Why would you want a slave as your queen?” I ask.
It would be great to find out what he has planned for me. Warren said I would find out everything from the dark sorcerer, so I guess that time is now.
“Your power is stronger than anyone else’s power right now. You are the eldest of The Four and I have to begin with you. Once I have your power, I will seek out the other three and take theirs. Once all the power is combined, my body will become solid and I will have the power to defeat both courts. If you would have spread your legs for your precious prince, then we wouldn’t be here right now. Your joining was going to make you King and Queen of the Fall Court, but not anymore. I hear he’s pushed you off to the side because of your relationship with your guardian.”
I flinch and he sees my pained expression. He decides to continue speaking and leans over to grab my hand.
“But that’s why I’m here. I am going to help you forget about him and you will be happy here as my dark queen. You can seek your vengeance on him when we storm the Winter Court, and you can shed his blood and everyone else’s over the ground.”
I sit there emotionless because with him holding my hand, I feel like I’m going to be sick. His hand has a slightly solid feel to it, but it’s cold and clammy as well and I’m thanking the bright stars that he grabbed the hand without the ring. Touching him makes me feel dirty and all I want to do is take a shower and scrub my hand a million times.