Forever Fae

Chapter 24 - Ryder

Merrick and I arrived at the Black Forest by sundown. Neither one of us had spoken to each other yet. The entire journey there I could tell he was deep in thought with his brows furrowed and his mouth in a constant frown. Turning my gaze back to Artemis, I saw that she had her head lowered and she was looking down at the ground. With her head being low she knew what I was going to ask her to do, and I knew she wasn't going to like it.

Gently caressing her neck, I reached over to scratch behind her ears. She let out a throaty huff and I knew it was the equivalent of a laugh. In all seriousness, I said, "Listen to me, girl. I want you to stay here until I return with the princess. Do not follow me in there." I pointed to the oily dark trees of the Black Forest. "If you hear someone coming, run as fast as you possibly can out of here. Are we clear?"

Raising my eyebrows, I tilted my head, waiting for her to answer. She blew out a puff of air that definitely told me she wasn't happy, and then she lifted her muzzle up and down to accentuate that she understood and she'd obey.

"Good girl," I murmured softly.

After kissing her muzzle, I patted her back. I left her to walk over to Merrick, who had Calista's silver locket resting in the palm of his hand and his guardian dagger in the other. His red, watery eyes met mine for a quick second before he turned away.

His shoulders slumped, and his voice broke when he spoke, "I spent this whole journey in denial. I've loved Calista ever since we were children, and I knew it was never going to be enough. When you came along, the pieces fell into place and I knew then that I had lost her. I just wanted to hold on for as long as I could."

Staring down at the locket, his chin trembled.

"I hated you for taking her away from me and I still do, but you both have an important role to play for the survival of our lands and I can't come between it. I see that now, but I am her guardian and I will always be there for her. I will protect not only her body, but her heart, and I know it belongs to you," he sadly replied.

He gazed at the locket for a little while longer, and then his face contorted into a smart ass expression. "You may have won the girl, but I'll be there every second I can to bust your balls," he taunted, grinning wickedly.

Leave it to Merrick to make something like this funny. He reminded me so much of Kalen; they both liked to joke and play around.

Extending my hand, I grasped his forearm in the traditional warrior greeting. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. She cares for you and I know she wants you in her life. Other than me, no one could protect her better than you." Respect shone through his eyes and he nodded, grasping my arm. Maybe things will work out after all.

"Now let's go rescue our princess," I commanded, averting my gaze to the Black Forest.

Shaking his head, Merrick looked at me and corrected, "It's time to rescue our queen."

I grinned. "Our queen," I repeated.

Taking his guardian dagger, Merrick hissed when he pricked his finger, drawing a drop of blood. He opened the locket and the drop of blood fell silently inside it. Merrick closed the locket and clasped it around his neck.

"I wonder how long it takes," he asked curiously.

"I guess we'll find out."

A few seconds passed before his form began to fade; it didn't take long at all. When he completely vanished, I called upon my magic to become invisible as well. Turning invisible was very easy for me because all I had to do was imagine it and it happened instantly; it felt like feathers floating across my skin. Against my parent's wishes, I'd used my talents and scared numerous people in the mortal realm with my tricks. It was something I did every Halloween.