Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(9)
I recognize almost everyone in the room until my gaze finally lands on a pair of piercing, ice blue eyes. Our eyes lock and I can’t bring myself to look away from him. It’s like my universe has stopped and the only people in the room are him and me. It feels like a shock wave travelling throughout my body, it is so intense. He seems to be feeling the same way, according to his wide-eyed expression. I can feel my face flushing and my lungs feel like they can’t get enough air. I really need to calm down and figure out what is happening to me. The attraction is uncanny. It is ridiculous to feel this way over someone I haven’t even met.
He’s gorgeous with his dark spiky hair and those eyes. My goodness, the eyes are going to make me melt right here. He obviously isn’t from the Summer Court. He has Winter Court written all over him, his pale skin could account for that. He’s dressed in all black with his shiny silver armor glittering in the sunlight. He looks like a sexy dark angel. His lip tilts up on one side in a half smile, half smirk kind of way and he lifts his eyebrow like he’s amused. My reaction is automatic, I smile back at him. I really want to find out who this stranger is.
I am brought back to reality when my father stands up and moves to the edge of the dais. The room falls silent as my father begins his announcement.
“Welcome guests, we are here to celebrate in the Guardian Ceremony of my eldest daughter, Princess Calista, and her soon-to-be guardian. This is a tradition that has been upheld for hundreds of years. We honor that and tonight we ask that you join us in this celebration and make it memorable. A feast and dancing will be provided after the ritual in honor of Princess Calista and her guardian.”
He turns to the warriors to address them.
“Warriors, if you would take your positions, please.” He then turns back to the crowd and says, “To receive the honor of becoming a guardian to a royal, these warriors must fight until they can fight no more. The person left standing will be rewarded the honor.”
The room is filled with excited energy and I know because I am trembling with it. The anticipation of the fight has the warriors on edge and I can see their muscles rippling as they are waiting for their cue to begin fighting. Merrick has a gleam in his eye and takes one last roguish look at me before my father announces to begin.
My father takes a look around the room and thunders out the two words everyone has been waiting to hear: “Warriors, begin!”
Chapter 5
Ryder
Kalen, Warren and I arrived just in time for the ceremony. Our horses are taken to the stable by the servants and we briskly walk to get inside the palace where we are shown where to go. There are hundreds of people so we make our way to the middle along with the other invited guests and we take our seats. I sit in the middle between Kalen and Warren.
I lean over toward Warren and ask quietly, “What do you think the princess looks like?”
Warren shrugs and says nonchalantly, “Oh, she’s probably another Summer Court bimbo with air for brains. I definitely wouldn’t be wasting my time on them. I much prefer the cold hearts of our winter vixens. They don’t get attached, so it’s easy just to plow the snow, if you know what I mean.”
The women in the Winter Court are cold as ice and sometimes I wonder if they even have hearts at all. They are strong though, and don’t take shit from anyone.
I say, “No arguments there, my friend.”
As soon as I say it, the massive golden doors open and I stare fixedly at the blonde beauty in the middle of the other two girls. I can’t tear my eyes away from her. Warren nudges me, but I don’t pay him any mind. She gracefully walks down the long aisle to meet the King and Queen on the dais. She says something to her parents, probably a greeting. I notice how she acknowledges the people in her council with a slight nod and a look of disdain when she notices the man sitting in the front seat of the council. The look is fast and I don’t think anyone else notices. I can only assume she doesn’t like the man sitting there. She does, however, give one of the warriors a heartfelt, genuine smile. The feelings of jealousy come out of nowhere and I find myself clenching my teeth and fisting my hands in a tight grip. I decide right then and there that I don’t like the warrior at all. Deep down I can feel my soul screaming that she’s mine and no one should be getting that kind of attention other than me.
The feelings of jealousy subside when Kalen takes this time to say, “I don’t know, brother. I think I would prefer wasting my time on one of these Summer chicks. Look around, these girls are hot, especially, the girl in the pink dress that came in with the Princess. She’s smoking hot, and I mean that literally and figuratively.”
I see the auburn haired looker and yes she is a beauty, but she doesn’t catch my eye like Princess Calista. As soon as my gaze finds the princess again, our eyes meet. My heart goes into overdrive and a shock reverberates through my body. I have never had this kind of reaction to a female before. Her eyes grow wider and I know mine have, too. She obviously had the same reaction as me. Her lips part slightly and I imagine what it would be like to kiss her luscious lips and have her moan in pleasure from my touch. Here I go again thinking these strange thoughts about a girl I’ve never actually met, but looking at her feels otherwise. I bet her lips taste sweet, like apples in the summer orchards. The idea sends a stirring throughout my body and I chide myself for it because it is not the time to have this kind of problem. I mentally chastise myself and calm my thoughts from progressing. I have never been this hard up over a girl. I’m a Winter Court prince and my heart is supposed to be ice. There is no way I’m going to let her melt any part of me. I keep telling myself this over and over, but I’m starting to think the melting has begun.