Forever Fae

Chapter 17 - Ryder

"Calista!"

I yelled her name over and over, but she still ran away and didn't look back. Why was I such a jackass?

"If you love Calista so much, then why were you being such a dick to her?" Merrick asked, breaking my thoughts.

"As if you don't know. I heard about your little make out session this morning, and it didn't look like she was in a hurry to get up from you being all over her," I hissed angrily.

Confused, he looked at me.

"I wish that was the case, but you have no idea what you're talking about. Nothing happened between us this morning at all, and when we were on the ground she told me to get off of her, but I stayed there while we were talking." He tapped his head and raised his eyebrows to let me know it was a silent conversation. "With the way you're acting, I wish something would've happened. I'm not going to lie, I think about her all the time, and yes I want to be with her. I'm in love with her just as much as you are, and I was hoping to convince her that she belongs with me."

Frustration sent me over the edge and I screamed, "Damn it! That bastard told me nothing but lies. When I get out of here I'm going to find his sorry ass and beat the fuck out of him."

"Who?" Merrick questioned, confused.

Huffing from anger, I explained, "Warren. He told me he saw you and Calista together this morning being a little more than friendly. He's also been acting strange for a while now and saying weird things about me staying away from Calista. I'm going to make him see our counselor when we get back home to find out what his problem is."

Exasperated, Merrick stormed, "And you brought him here? Why would you do that? If he's that unstable he could be a threat! How stupid could you be? I guess the ice in the Winter Court has frozen your brain."

"Just like the sun here has fried yours?" I retorted.

Merrick sighed in frustration. "This isn't getting us anywhere. The meeting will be going on in about another hour. We need to get back. Do you have any suggestions on how to get out of the vines?"

We pulled and twisted, but nothing happened. We did that for about thirty more minutes, and when we were about to give up the vines slowly unraveled around us and slid back into the ground. Merrick and I both lay on the ground dumbfounded and shocked that Calista would let us go so quickly. I figured she'd leave us there all day to teach us a lesson, and I was prepared for that. After a few seconds, I decided to get up slowly and brush the dirt off my clothes. Merrick gathered the weapons and we both headed back to face the wrath of Calista.

I was going to kill Warren with my bare hands when I saw him. How could I even believe he was telling the truth? I was such an idiot and now Calista was furious with me. Why did I doubt her? Elvena told me to trust her and I let my jealousy get in the way. She wasn't going to forgive me and I deserved it.

As we were walking back, Merrick revealed, "You should have never doubted her. Calista is the most honest and trustworthy person I know, and she's also a loyal friend. We both have a lot of groveling to do when we get back."

"I know. I just hope she forgives me," I uttered somberly.

Merrick threw his head back and laughed.

"I wouldn't count on it, ice boy. She's more stubborn than a mule, but I guess you would know that if you'd been around her as much as I have. She'll forgive you when she's ready. I'm her guardian, so she has no choice but to be around me. I'll be stuck with the attitude when you leave."

That stopped me cold. "That's the thing, Merrick. I don't want to leave. I want to take the marriage bond with her. I was going to ask her today and now she's probably going to tell me no. Last night, when we were together, some things had changed."