Forever Fae

Chapter 27 - Calista

I gazed out the window of my new home at the soaring landscape of what would soon be the Fall Court. The land called to me, so Ryder and I'd put a claim to it. The magic of the Land of the Fae had always been a mystery, but when the land wanted to be claimed it would let you know. I was sitting in my new library in the palace Ryder and I would share, and it brought me just as much peace as the one in my Summer Court home brought me.

Everything was going to be so different when the Fall magic was unleashed. It would be just like the vision. The trees would be nothing but shades of red, yellow, green, orange, and brown and the air will have the crisp smell of autumn and pine; it'd also feel cool grazing along my skin. Closing my eyes, I could imagine it all, and once tonight came it'd all be different.

I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear that my room was now filled with the giggling sounds of women. Hearing them lightened my heart and brought a smile to my face. I'd missed the sounds of Elvena and Xylia laughing. Meliantha and my headstrong younger sister, Ariella, were out there as well.

Today was my wedding day, and yes I was nervous with the fluttery and nervous stomach and all, but I was also exuberantly happy. I turned around and laughed at them as they carried on, acting crazy. I'd decided that each one of them would wear dresses in one of the Fall colors, and they all looked amazing in their gowns. My dress was made in the Land of the Fae and I had it laced with magic. To go along with my love of Greek mythology, I had it made into a toga style that flowed gracefully down to the floor. Not being able to decide what color to go with, the magic enhanced on the dress helped it to change colors. It may seem ridiculous to some, but I wanted to enjoy every single color of the Fall.

Ariella's loud and boisterous voice caught my attention. She was forbidden to come to my Blood Ritual with Merrick because of using her magic to do destructive things. She was a beautiful girl with the hair the color of snow and twinkling blue eyes. The red dress I put her in made her look amazing; along with the red lipstick she was wearing to match. She was totally trying to look like a siren. Ariella was several years younger than me and had gotten into twice as much trouble, which I thought would've been impossible.

"I hope you plan to stay out of trouble today, Ariella. Fae creatures from all over the Land of the Fae will be here. I trust you to play nice," I teased, laughing.

Ariella rolled her eyes and grinned at me slyly. "Oh, Calista, you worry too much. When do I ever cause trouble?" She winked at me and turned to leave the room. "Okay, I said my hellos, so now I'm going to go down and look at all the hot Winter men. I'll see you down there, sis," she said flippantly.

"Remember ... no trouble," I hollered after her. I could hear her cackles as she made her way down the hall.

Meliantha approached me, crying softly with a tissue in each hand. Gripping me tightly, she pulled me into a hard embrace. "I'm so happy for you, Calista. I was so worried about you." She looked down at the ground. "I know I can't tell you enough, but I'm so sorry about Merrick. I know you miss him."

I nodded. "I do miss him," I whispered, laying my hand over my heart, "but he's in here and he always will be."

She smiled. "Yes he will. That boy was always destined to be in your heart."

Meliantha kissed my cheek and left the room, crying the whole way. My two favorite ladies were the only ones left in the room with me now. Peering at Xylia, I wasn't surprised to see that she had a different color in her hair today. I was assuming it was to match the green gown she was wearing. She lost her parents while I was captured, and when I came back we had a passing ceremony for them, as well as one for Merrick. We were all suffering from grief and loss so we decided to honor them all and made the night a joyous occasion.