Forever Fae

Chapter 21 - Ryder

The plan was simple: head into the Black Forest undetected, and rescue Calista. Arguments were spewed within the Great Room on who would be the ones to rescue the princess. Warriors volunteered left and right, obviously wanting to be the great hero. The bantering back and forth was getting us nowhere, and becoming a waste of time. This was my task, and no one was going to go after the princess except me. She was mine, and it was my job to fight for her.

Marching to the center of the room, and with great authority, I announced loudly so everyone could hear, "I'm going to the Black Forest to rescue the princess!"

Glancing around the room, everyone went silent. Looks of understanding and sadness circulated through their eyes since what I was doing was most likely a suicide mission and they all knew it.

King Oberon's expression was one of grief and adoration. "Thank you, Prince Ryder. This is a very grave mission, and there's no way I can repay the debt of your courage and love."

"Actually, Your Highness, there is," I informed him.

King Oberon raised his eyebrows in curiosity.

"When I bring your daughter home, I want to fulfill the marriage bond with her. I love her, and I want to be with the woman who has the other half of my soul, because without her, I'll never be complete. Our lands need us, and Calista needs me to complete our court."

Admiration flashed across the king's face and he nodded in agreement. He must've already known I would ask this. "Very well, Prince Ryder, I will grant your request."

Merrick stormed to the front with his nostrils flaring and his hands clenched. "No! I'm going with Prince Ryder to rescue her, and it needs to be made clear to her that she has a choice on whom to marry. I'm not going to stand by and let her marry someone because of some prophecy."

Before he was able to speak again, he froze in place and narrowed his eyes in concentration. I'd seen him like that before when he was talking to Calista. Strong emotions floated across his face, everything from rage to despair, and I stood there anxiously waiting to hear what he had to say. Especially since his last outburst had the king fuming.

The king stomped his foot angrily to get Merrick's attention.

"Watch yourself, Guardian. You can go with Prince Ryder to help rescue Calista, but you of all people know that Calista has and will always make her own decisions."

Merrick bowed his head apologetically.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but Calista just spoke to me. The connection is gone now, but she says she's okay and they're headed through the valley to the Black Forest. She also says that Avery was there and their meeting was not a friendly reunion. I think he might have hurt her, but she wouldn't tell me. Her voice sounded defeated and tired when she spoke." Merrick turned his head to look at me and then back to the king.

"She also wanted me to say that she loves us all and that she doesn't blame anyone for what happened to her."

Merrick bowed and sheepishly walked back to stand by the wall with the other warriors. The feeling of helplessness was not something a warrior welcomed because it wasn't in our nature to feel like that. Elvena made her way to the front and spoke to the king privately. When they finished, King Oberon dismissed everyone from the Great Room except me, Merrick and Elvena. My brother stayed behind, waiting to find out my next move.

"I need you to get your things and head home," I said to my brother who came to stand beside me.

Kalen nodded somberly. "What do you want me to tell our people?"

"Tell them about the dark sorcerer and that I've gone to rescue the princess. Explain to them everything that's happened since we've been here. Our court needs to be prepared in case something happens."