Summer of Frost (Forever Fae #3)(17)
Hanging my head, I groaned and ran my hands through my hair, frustrated. “How am I going to explain this to Sorcha? The minute she finds out she’s going to want to leave here to find them, and I can’t let her do that.”
“You’re absolutely right!” her voice hollered out. “I’m going to find them!” Lifting my head, I stood there frozen and shocked as Sorcha stood menacingly in the doorway to the throne room. She stalked toward me and my father, determination and confidence in each step.
“How are you feeling?” my father acknowledged her.
Sorcha grinned faintly and bowed her head. “Not too bad, actually. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“You are most welcome, child. I’m sure you heard what we were discussing?”
Sorcha nodded. “Yes, and I wanted to tell you that I have a way to locate my guardian and Sarette. Once I find them, I’m going to go get them.”
“I understand, and you know we’ll help you,” my father offered.
Curious, I asked, “What if your guardian is incapacitated and can’t hear you through the bond? How will you know where they are, because obviously if he could tell you, you’d know by now?”
Narrowing her eyes, she gave me a sly grin. “I have my ways, Prince Drake. By morning, I will know where they’re at, and I will go to them. I refuse to let them suffer because of me.” She bowed quickly to my father and me before hurrying out of the throne room. I wanted to follow her, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“She reminds me so much of her mother,” my father uttered. He rose up from his throne and clapped me on the shoulder before leaving the room. Once all was quiet, I sat there in the throne room contemplating our next strategy plan. If Sorcha did, in some way, find out where her guardian was, there was only one way to get them out quickly and safely, and that way depended solely upon me.
After eating dinner with the warriors, we all dispersed to head to our beds for the evening. The warriors had their own quarters separate from the palace, but inside the walls just like me. I had my own dwelling that gave me the space and privacy away from my family, especially when Calista and Meliantha were still living there. I was almost outside the palace when the sound of music stopped me mid-step.
The music was achingly familiar, and the force of its pull had me turning around and ambling toward it. It was a sound that got my heart beating out of control and in pain from the sweet melody. I thought I’d never hear it again. It was the sound of Sorcha’s song … my song.
The air in the Summer Court was different from the Winter; it was more vibrant and full of life. I loved my home, but something about being in the heart of Summer appealed to me. King Oberon had sent a message informing me of dinner, and invited me to join him and the queen. I politely declined, with deepest regrets, and ate alone in my room.
I was wound up too tight and too apprehensive to sleep. My dreams were the only way I could communicate with Sarette and Oren, and if I couldn’t calm myself down enough my attempts would be fruitless. Oren’s mind was blocked or he was unconscious; either way, I was unable to talk to him every time I tried.
Frustrated, I decided to walk around the palace to clear my mind. The curiosity in me piqued as I walked through the different halls of the palace, comparing it to my frigid home in the Winter. My eyes were alight with joy when I stumbled upon what had to have been their music room. The door was partially open, so it wasn’t like I was really invading their privacy. Secretly, I pushed the door fully open and entered into heaven.
As I walked by the piano, I glided my fingers along the keys, careful not to make a sound. The instrument I was trying to get to lay in the corner of the room, looking desolate and alone. I bet no one ever played it. The harp was elegant and made of gold, whereas mine at home was made of silver. I took a deep breath before sitting on the stool and getting into position, praying they wouldn’t be upset if I played it.
The chords were stiff as I played each note of my song … the song I wrote for Drake. Closing my eyes, I let the music wash over me and take me to the place I kept hidden inside my soul, the place that only Drake was allowed to go. Once the song was completed, I sat there, letting the calmness of the melody soak through to my soul. I knew I was relaxed enough to do what I had to do.
Quietly, I left the music room and turned to head down the hall toward my bed chamber. Once I rounded the corner, I almost collided with the one person I wasn’t expecting to see. Breathing hard, I stopped abruptly and placed a hand over my heart. “Drake, you scared me!” I shrieked.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized, looking frantic. “Were you in the music room?”
Without thought or reason, I opened my mouth and lied, “No, I was just exploring your home. It’s really nice by the way.” With everything going on, I felt it was best to wait until things settled down before I told him the truth of our secret affair.
“The music,” he whispered, looking away, confused. “I know I heard music.” He lowered his head and ran his hands over his face. When his gorgeous gray gaze landed on mine, I melted where I stood, and almost buckled.
“I’m sorry, Drake,” I said softly. “Maybe you just imagined the music you heard. The mind is a powerful place where our dreams can feel like reality, and you know what?” I said, looking deep into his eyes. “Most of the time those dreams come true. We just have to want them bad enough.”