Forever Fae

Chapter 23 - Calista

I felt a pillow beneath my head, and my body was lying on a soft, comfortable mattress that felt like a bed of clouds. I must be home. I bet I'd open my eyes and see my purple walls and the beautiful flower arrangements that Meliantha put together for me. Slowly lifting my eyelids, my spirits deflated. I wanted this to be just a nightmare, but it was looking like I wasn't going to get out of it. Glancing around the room, I realized it was the same room that I'd slept in at the invisible house. Am I back at that house again somehow?

Sitting up in the bed, I could feel a cold weight swinging between my breasts. Lifting it up, I noticed that it was the talisman that ... that Ryder was wearing before I passed out.

Ryder

How could that be? I remembered seeing his cold blue eyes, and the evil grin that sent chills of pure terror racking throughout my body before I passed out. It couldn't be him, could it? Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I slowly got to my feet. I was lightheaded and my heart felt like it was about to pop out of my chest.

I tried to walk a couple of steps, but my legs were sore and aching from travelling. Slowly, I finally got to the door and twisted the knob ... it was unlocked. Opening the door, I peered out into the rest of the place. As I looked back and forth through the small hallway, I couldn't see around any of the corners.

"Shit, what do I do now?" I hissed, speaking to myself. I rounded the corner slowly, and as I did, I saw the dark sorcerer sitting in a chair with his back to me. The memories of the last time I saw him came flooding back, and the realization hit me. It wasn't Ryder that I saw, it was the dark sorcerer pretending to be him. How could I have been so stupid as to believe that? What I saw now was the shape of a man, except he appeared to be nothing more than a dark shadow.

His voice startled me and I gasped. "I will tell you everything, my future queen, but first I want you to come here."

Future queen? What the hell was he thinking? He still hadn't turned to look at me, but I had to remember that I had to do as he said so he'd think the talisman was working. I took a deep breath in, and let it out to calm my nerves. My stomach growled from being hungry and the energy loss from no food had taken its toll. I might not have to pretend too much. I walked over behind his chair and around to the front of him. The smile he gave me was terrifying, and coming from a shadow made it even more eerie. If he had a normal body, I'd say he could be quite handsome, but I couldn't seem to get over what he was. My hands were clasped behind my back so I could keep the ring out of sight.

He motioned to the chair behind me. I took a seat and kept quiet until he decided to speak, covering my ring by holding my hands in my lap. Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I tried to look drawn and distant.

"How are you, Princess? I hope you like your sleeping arrangements. You looked very lovely laying there in my bed, and soon when I make you my queen, I'll enjoy the sight of you in it every night flushed with heat and sweaty from me fucking you," he suggestively taunted.

I kept my face blank, but my insides were screaming. My palms began to sweat and my throat tightened up, making it hard to swallow. I could feel the tears prickling the backs of my eyes, trying to make their escape, but I had to hold them back. The thought of being stuck here to endure that man forever made me sick to the core.

I got the feeling he was testing me, so I continued with my charade and said truthfully, "I am tired and hungry because I didn't eat before travelling here. There's a slight pressure in my mind that feels kind of strange. It's like my life force is disappearing."

I made sure not to say anything regarding the part of his comment about the nights. I may have been able to pretend right then, but there was no way I could pretend that I'd enjoy him taking over my body every night.