Forever Fae

Chapter 12 - Ryder

After leaving the Great Room, I decided to spend my time taking a walk before meeting Calista by the lake. When I walked around the south side of the palace like Calista instructed me, a lone figure in the window caught my attention. Merrick was standing there with a pained expression on his face.

He didn't see me, but I made myself invisible to make sure I was completely hidden. I saw Calista come up behind him and put her arms around his waist. What the hell is this? She said something to him, and he closed his eyes, clenching his jaw. He finally spoke and I wished I knew what they were saying.

He unfastened her arms and turned around. She lifted her hand to his face, holding it there. I really don't think I want to see this. She told me she didn't care for him in that way, but what I was seeing didn't appear that way.

He must've said something that made her mad because she tried to turn around and walk off, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. She was crying and he bent down to kiss her palm. The anger boiled inside me as I watched him move closer like he was going to kiss her. Snow began to fall around me, and the air had turned electric and frigid with the unleashing of my power. It was hard to control when my anger took over.

Moving in for the kiss, he grasped her tightly. She tried to pull away, but he didn't let her go. That's it, I can't take anymore. Merrick was going to get his ass kicked and it was going to be by me, and that time was now. He was supposed to be protecting her, not her needing protecting from him. Starting for the vines outside of the palace, I began climbing up to her room when a sound behind me made me freeze.

"I wouldn't do that, Your Highness," the angelic sounding voice called out. Hearing the voice, I turned visible again.

"Who are you?" I asked, looking around for the person who had spoken.

A short, curly brown-haired woman stepped out of the shadows. She looked like a brownie, but only not.

She spoke again, "I am Elvena, Calista's nurse maid, and the Prophetess of the Summer Court."

Bowing, I lowered my head to show my respect. The snow stopped falling around me and melted quickly on the ground.

"Forgive me, but Calista needs my help," I snapped frantically, trying to head back to the vines.

Elvena laughed and that gave me pause. I turned back to scowl at her, clearly letting my anger be noticed.

In between laughs she remarked, "Calista doesn't need help, child. She's a strong woman, and can handle herself." She pointed to Calista's room. "See, take a look."

Taking a few steps back, I glanced into Calista's room. Merrick was gone and now Xylia was in there. I wished she would have gotten there sooner. It looked like Calista was probably telling her everything that happened.

Giving Elvena a dark glare, I retorted, "That may be the case, but I think Merrick needs a lesson on manners. He shouldn't have done what he did, and he's lucky I haven't killed him."

Elvena shrugged.

"He's in love with her, what did you expect? He always has been. He could feel her slipping away from him when she met you. Merrick has longed to be with Calista, and he wanted to let her know before she gave her heart to another man. He's her guardian and he's going to be very close to her for the rest of her life. It might take him a while to move on if she decides on another man, but he's still going to have to watch her with someone else for the rest of his life. Can you blame him for wanting to take the chance?"

No, I couldn't blame him. I couldn't imagine seeing the person I loved with someone else. Seeing Calista with him about killed me.

"I still wouldn't have forced her to kiss me. He's supposed to protect her, not cause her more pain." I paused, wondering how Elvena knew I was there in the first place.

"How did you know where to find me?" I asked curiously.

Smirking, she admitted, "I have my ways, child. King Oberon sought me out after leaving the party. He told me what happened between you and Calista and he wanted my advice. You had a vision, am I right?"

I nodded. "Yes, we both did."

"Did you both have the same vision, or were they different?" Elvena inquired.

"I'm not sure, but we've planned to meet tonight to discuss it."

She smiled like she already knew that.

"I'm pretty sure it was the same vision. Do you mind if I take your hand?"

I found the question odd, but I put my hand in hers anyway. She closed her eyes while holding my hand, and murmured words of the Old Fae language. She rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, and abruptly stopped, opening her eyes. Tears fell down her cheeks and she had a radiant smile on her face.

"What did you see?" I asked.

"I saw the answers, child. The answers we need are within you and Calista. I watched you both secretly tonight and I should have known then. You and Calista are going to be the ones who help save the kingdoms." She glanced up at Calista's room and then back to me.

"I must go, there is much to think about," she whispered, giving me one last meaningful look before turning away and walking toward the palace. I wonder what she meant about saving the kingdoms. I was assuming it had to be about the prophecy.

"Wait!" I called out, halting her.

She turned around and gazed at me with love and respect in her eyes.

"How do we save the kingdoms and what are we trying to save them from?"

Elvena waved me off.

"Go to Calista. The answers will come to you in time. I have no doubt that you both will figure it out. In the meantime, go easy on her about Merrick. She didn't plan on him falling in love with her. Her heart belongs to you, it always has. No matter what happens with Merrick, you need to trust her." She began to back away. "That is all I can say for now. I've planned to speak to her in the morning. I trust you'll make sure she gets to her room safely?"

Bowing my head, I added, "Yes, Prophetess, she will return safely."

Vanishing into the shadows, Elvena was there no more. I had only a few short minutes to make it to the lake. Heading toward the path, I made my way to the big willow tree. I knew I would beat her there because she was still in her room when I made it to the path. Sliding off my armor, I found a nice, soft spot of grass under the tree.

Needing to clear my thoughts, I decided to lie under the canopy of the tree while I waited for Calista to arrive. I needed to calm down before she got there, but I didn't see it happening. The kelpies were nowhere to be seen, so hopefully they wouldn't try to come out and eat me. Calista seemed very fond of them so I would hate to have to kill them to protect myself. How am I going to deal with her and Merrick?

I wished the anger would go away, but thinking about him with his hands on her made me want to kill him. He was obviously not going to let her go without a fight. If it was a fight he wanted, it was a fight he was going to get.