Summer of Frost (Forever Fae #3)(53)

“Thank you,” Drake and I said simultaneously, smiling.

“How is Brayden?” I asked Ryder. “I knew he was injured in the battle and taken back to the Spring Court. I never had the chance to see if he was okay.” Ryder shrugged and glanced over at Calista with a strange look on his face.

Calista snorted and burst out laughing. “Your brother is doing perfectly fine. I think he got a little more than he bargained for, though. Except, I don’t think he’s handling it as well as all of us had.”

Confused, I eyed them both and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Ryder sighed. “It appears our brother just had his vision with the lovely Ariella.”

“What?” I shouted, excited. “This is definitely a momentous occasion. How did it happen?”

Calista grinned and answered, “It happened when she and Brayden were saying good-bye at the Spring Court. They made contact and had their vision right there in front of everyone. I heard Brayden turned all shades of red after that, and quickly walked away. I’d say this turn of events is very interesting.”

Drake bellowed. “Oh, I can imagine. Ariella is a handful. I hope Brayden knows what he’s getting into. Although, I’m pretty sure she was pissed if he just walked away from her.”

Calista grabbed my hand and led me over to the water’s edge. “I’m sure they’ll do just fine with each other. Brayden wouldn’t be her match if they couldn’t.” She paused and furrowed her brows, raking her gaze back and forth, clearly concentrating on something. “Okay, enough about visions. I think it’s time we built up your palace. After all, everyone’s coming to see you. With my magic and your brains we could come up with something spectacular. What do you say?”

Calista’s grip on my hand was tight and reassuring, and her magic was so strong I could feel it pulsing throughout my body. She glanced at our clasped hands. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? When our powers combine like this it’s the most amazing feeling I’ve ever felt. Just think of what I, you, Mel, and Ariella could do if we all combined our power.”

“We would be invincible,” I breathed.

Drake took that time to grab my other hand while Ryder took Calista’s other. “Are we ready?” Calista asked, raising her eyebrows at me and Drake. “All you have to do is concentrate on what you want, and it’ll happen.”

I smiled at them all before closing my eyes. “Let’s do this!”





Drake and Ryder welcomed our families while Calista helped me change clothes and get ready. “I’m sorry that Alston betrayed you. I know it had to be hard with losing your memories and all,” Calista murmured gently while buttoning up my dress. The one shoulder masterpiece was sea blue … Drake’s favorite color on me.

“It was really hard. I hate to think about what would’ve happened if I didn’t get my memories back.”

“Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about that.” When she finished buttoning my dress, she turned me around to face her. “You know, when Ryder and I had our vision Drake swore that he’d never be in a situation like that. He thought our love was ridiculous and sappy. I probably need to give him hell like he did me and Meliantha, don’t I?”

“Definitely!” I agreed.

We both began laughing. Suddenly, I felt the connection in my mind open up, signaling that I wasn’t alone. “Everyone’s waiting, ai dulin,” Oren called out silently.

“Calista and I are almost done here. We just need a couple more minutes. How are my parents?”

Calista watched me with a sad, knowing smile lingering on her face. She turned her head away and walked over to the window, keeping her back to me.

“They’re anxious to see you, but so is everyone else. Drake just told everyone about you being a dragon now.”

In my head, I laughed. “I knew he couldn’t wait to tell everyone about that.”

“I guess it’ll be you protecting me from now on. My, my, how the tables have turned. I don’t think I’ve ever had to protect you.”

“That’s not true,” I argued. “You’ve always been there for me, and anyway, what’s wrong with protecting each other? I can’t help that you’ve been sworn to protect a girl who has the brains to get her out of sticky situations on her own. You don’t always have to be the protector, you know.”

“Yes I do, ai dulin,” he insisted. “Now get yourself down here before your mother comes looking for you.”

“Will do.” When I knew he was done talking, I focused my attention back on Calista. Her back was still to me, but her shoulders were hunched over and quaking.

“I envy you, and Meliantha,” she cried, her voice quivering when she spoke.

I sauntered up beside her and watched the tears flow down her cheeks. I’d never really spent much time with her before, but being so close to her made it feel as if she was truly my sister. It was a feeling I’d never had before growing up with only brothers. Calista was always so strong, but anyone could see that she still held the pain in her heart of her lost guardian.

Knowing she needed the comfort, I wrapped my arm around her waist and let her lay her head on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Calista. I don’t know what I’d do without Oren. I know it’s a great sadness you bear on your heart.”