Forever Fae

Chapter 7 - Ryder

The fighting was intense.

The warriors' fighting styles were very similar to ours. Their movements were more graceful; ours are more rigid and precise. No matter what, I still thought I was a better fighter than any of them, and I know I would've definitely won. Princess Calista took a quick glance at me when she walked down to meet her guardian, but I kept my expression blank when actually my heart was thundering. I didn't want to see her bonded to another man, especially when that man could enter her mind and feel her emotions. There was no closer bond a person could have other than marriage.

I could see the shock on Princess Calista's face when she first heard her guardian speaking to her in her mind. I'd never been so jealous over anything in my life. I didn't know where the jealousy was coming from, but it was a very strong feeling. They playfully laughed at each other while silently conversing, and all I wanted to do was shove my sword in my gut to put me out of my misery. Or better yet, shove it up her guardian's ass. Now that would've made me feel a lot better.

The princess took her seat by her father while the servants were moving away all the extra chairs and bringing in the food. The band started to play a cheery melody to get the guests in brighter spirits. Not everyone enjoyed watching the fights, including Princess Calista.

Kalen elbowed me in the arm.

"Ryder, I'm going to go check out the food and meet some chicks. There are some pretty fine females here. You want to come with?" Kalen asked, waggling his eyebrows.

"No man, you go ahead. I'm going to take a look around," I responded.

Not believing a word I'd said, Kalen smirked and shook his head. "Yeah, I bet. Taking a look around the princess is more like it."

I smacked him upside the head and pushed him in the direction of the food. "Do me a favor, Kalen, and stay out of trouble," I remarked, laughing.

Feigning innocence, he placed his hand over his heart. "Who me? In trouble? Never," he chimed sarcastically before walking off toward the refreshments.

Still laughing about my brother, I turned to Warren as he was about to walk away. "Where are you going off to?"

Shrugging and sauntering off, he called out over his shoulder, "I'll be around."

That was fine with me. I didn't want him near me when I met the princess if he was going to be a dick. Calista strolled around the room, making her rounds and laughing with her guests while I watched her like a hawk. I couldn't tear my gaze away from her. When she saw me staring at her, her angelic face lit up for a brief second before she turned away.

Her guardian noticed the interaction and gave me a scowl. I returned the gesture in kind with the flip of a finger. My attention strayed from the princess and landed on Warren, who was standing in the far corner talking to the head of the Summer Court council; it was the same guy that Princess Calista obviously didn't like. What could they be talking about?

I needed to make a point to ask Warren about it later. King Oberon caught my attention when he waved his hand and called me over. Out of the corner of my eye I could see that Princess Calista was with the two friends she walked in with at the beginning of the ceremony. They all three turned to look at me, and it was obvious what they were talking about. Her guardian was by her side ... a little too close. How the hell am I going to talk to her with him following her everywhere she goes?

Once I reached King Oberon, he greeted me by clasping my forearm in the traditional warrior greeting. "Welcome, Prince Ryder. I trust your journey from the Winter Court was good. How are things there?"

With respect, I bowed my head and replied, "Yes, Your Highness, our trip from the Winter Court was uneventful to say the least. I love travelling through the Mystical Forest. Things in the Winter Court are going as well as can be expected. My father, as you know, is in Endelyn with the dwarves discussing the issues of the Black Forest. We've had several of our fae go missing the past couple of weeks. It's actually been happening for many years now, like it's been happening here, if I'm not mistaken. Have your people discovered anything yet?"