Forever Fae

Chapter 20 - Calista

I woke up right away with joyfulness in my heart. The way Ryder looked at me when he asked for me to accept him in the marriage bond made my heart melt with a flooding of warmth. If we had been alone last night, I had no doubt I would have given myself to him in the dream world just to complete the bond. My body craved his with such longing.

I knew it was just a dream, but it felt great to be in Ryder's arms, and to see Merrick and Elvena. The sound of the door being unlocked broke me out of my reverie, startling me. Keeping my eyes closed, I pretended to still be asleep when the person who walked in sat on the bed beside me.

I felt the bed dip down with the person's weight and it jostled me a little. I had a feeling it was going to be either Warren or Avery. I was betting on the latter considering he hadn't made an appearance yet. Whoever it was, I could feel them moving closer.

"Good morning, Princess," Avery greeted mockingly.

My eyes bolted open and darted around the room. When my gaze landed on Avery I tried to appear hopeful, and clueless as to why I was there.

With a trembling voice, I pleaded, "Please tell me you're here to rescue me, and then it'll be a good morning."

He shook his head and sneered, "Not exactly, Princess. I plan to take you somewhere special this morning."

Keeping my face blank, I asked, "Where exactly would that be?"

In a sharp tone, Avery replied, "Don't play dumb with me, Princess. I know you've suspected things of me, so quit the little trembling act because I don't buy it."

My body went tense and I knew my face had turned blood red. I guess there went my cover. Digging my nails into my palms, I clenched my teeth together to try and keep my anger tamped down. It didn't seem to be working with Avery smiling at me the way he was.

"Well, in that case, you can go to Hell, and I already know where we're going so you can save all your lies for someone else," I snapped. Glaring at him straight in the eyes, I made sure to make mine as cold as possible.

"Why did you turn on us? What was so bad that you had to betray your friends and your court? You had a great life, recognition, and anything you could ever want. How could that not have been enough?"

Avery moved closer to me and I flinched back. The last thing I wanted was for him to be anywhere close to me. He reached up and grabbed a lock of my hair, turning it around and running his fingers through it. My body recoiled and I couldn't shake the bitter taste in my mouth. I had never wanted to kill someone as much as I did then.

"What is every mutiny about, Princess?" he asked.

"Power," I answered flatly, rolling my eyes.

With an arrogant smile, he winked. "You're correct ... power. I've been promised a phenomenal amount of power once I hand you over to the dark sorcerer. I won't be easily defeated once I obtain this power, and I'll be a leader when we take over the Land of the Fae."

Giving him a scornful look, I curled my lip in disgust. "You make me sick. You're nothing but a pansy ass prick that likes to kiss ass," I hissed.

In a lightning fast move, he slapped me across the cheek and grasped my face, squeezing tight. The ferocity of his hold was bruising, but the anger I felt dimmed out the pain. He turned my head sharply so I had to look at him straight in the face.

"I've told him how feisty you are and how stubborn, but you will learn obedience. The roles have switched, Princess, and it'll be you bowing down to me. I could do whatever I want with you right now and no one will stop me, but the master wants you unharmed and in one piece when I bring you to him," Avery snapped.