Reign of Ice (Forever Fae #4)(18)
I stared at him for a long while, wondering if I should just come right out and tell him the truth. In the end, I balked and turned away, putting my back to him as I lay on my side. He huffed and I could feel his annoyance as he also lay down on the bed.
“I’m sorry, Brayden. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, angel.”
Without moving a muscle, I tried desperately to fall asleep. However, it wasn’t until Brayden’s arm snaked around my waist that I was finally able to relax. His warm breath on my neck and the protective hold he had, trapping me against his body, made me shiver … and it wasn’t because I was cold.
THE SECOND I entered into my dream I could tell I wasn’t going to be alone. I knew that because I was standing on the beach in Sorcha and Drake’s Summer Court, still in my nightgown, peering out at the setting sun on the horizon of the crystal blue sea.
“So how did it go with you and my brother? You didn’t kill him, did you?” Sorcha teased, her voice coming from behind me.
When I turned around to face her with my arms crossed, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. She was dressed in a simple blue gown that billowed out in the wind as she walked toward me as if she floated on the sand. However, there was nothing gentle about her. She was a dragon just like my brother and one of the smartest and fiercest females in all the land. She approached me and slowly took in my newly changed skin and smiled.
“You and Brayden completed the bond already? I thought you hated him?”
I gasped and quickly shook my head, laughing. “Oh no, we didn’t complete it in the way you think. We did bond, but only the guardian bond. When our blood mixed this happened to me. I don’t even feel like a Summer Fae anymore.”
“Well you definitely don’t look it. Where is Brayden now?” She walked up to me and touched my skin. “Oh yeah, you’re definitely Winter.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s with me in my room. I didn’t want to complete the Blood Ritual in my father’s study and then have to face everyone like this.”
Studying me, she narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “You don’t seem surprised that this happened. Did you know fulfilling the guardian bond would change you?”
“Elvena told me it was a possibility,” I confided honestly. “And that it could be the key to getting my blood bonded to form the weapon we need to defeat the dark sorcerer.”
Sorcha’s eyes immediately filled with worry and concern. “I thought there would be more time. We were all hoping that you and Brayden would come to your senses and one day form your own court. He’s stubborn and can be a complete pain in the ass, but I was just like him until I met your brother. I know you hate him now, but he’ll come around. I know he cares for you.”
I smiled and waved my hand for her to stop. “I know he does, Sorcha. I could feel it through the guardian bond.”
“Do you still hate him then?” she asked curiously.
Warily, I responded, “No, I don’t hate him. After seeing myself through his eyes and how he truly is on the inside there’s no way I can hate him. He’s so different than what I thought he would be.”
Surprised, Sorcha’s mouth flew open and she snickered. “Don’t let him hear you say that to anyone.”
“I don’t plan on it,” I remarked in all seriousness. “And neither will you. This is as far as it goes.” She lost her smile and watched me intently as I paced up and down the shore.
“You are going to complete the bond with my brother, aren’t you?”
I stopped mid-stride and glanced sheepishly at her before turning away and saying, “No, I’m not.”
“Why not?” she snapped incredulously, pulling on my arm and whirling me around to face her. “Has he not proven himself worthy of you yet? What more do you want from him? I thought this was what you wanted.”
“It is.” I sighed. “But unfortunately, a happy ending is not in my future.”
“And why would you say that …” Her voice trailed off, but when I pierced her with a firm, hard glare she balked and bit her lip, looking unsure of what to say.
“I know everything, Sorcha. I was there when you and the others were discussing the scroll,” I told her. “And that I’m most likely not going to live through it.”
Her lip trembled slightly and she closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. “We’ve been trying to figure out other ways to get through this without putting you in harm’s way. I’m sorry it was kept from you. Now that your blood is Winter we can get Durin to make the weapon and then we can all discuss our plans of attack.”
“No,” I shouted. “You’re not going to tell anyone I know. If you do then they will keep me back from doing what I’m supposed to do, especially Brayden. You know this, Sorcha.”
Sorcha scoffed and threw her hands in the air, exasperated. “Well, then what are you going to do? Did your new powers magically enhance you to become invincible?”
“No, not exactly, but I do have a way I can defeat him. I need you to trust me on this. Think of all the lives that could be saved if I get in there undetected and put an end to this. You would do the same thing, wouldn’t you … take the risk for everyone you love?”
She groaned. “Yes, but we’re going to come up with a plan. I’ll keep your secret for now. However, if you do something stupid I’m not going to have a choice but to tell everyone. It’s up to you, Ariella. I know how you are and I know what you’re capable of as far as running head first into trouble. This isn’t one of those times. Be smart about this and let us help you.”