Forever Fae (Forever Fae Series) Page 2
Knowing we needed to be on our way, I hastily stride into my house and pack a few items to take on the trip to the Summer Court. As I’m loading up the carriage, Warren takes this time to ride up beside me. Choosing to ignore him, I keep my eyes on what I’m doing until I hear him speak.
“Look Ryder, I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. I don’t know what’s come over me these days,” Warren says apologetically.
I wish I knew, too, I think to myself. Waving him off, I quickly say, “Just figure it out is all I ask.” He rides on sullenly to the gate while a feeling of unease sweeps throughout my body. It’s a feeling I’ve been getting a lot lately, and I can’t quite figure out where it’s coming from.
Shaking off the feelings of unease, I turn to acknowledge my brother. “Well how about we get going then? Round up the warriors and meet me at the front gate.”
My brother leaves to assemble the men while I climb up onto my sleek, midnight colored mare. My parents had given her to me when I turned sixteen. Being fascinated with Greek mythology for my whole life, I named her after the Greek goddess, Artemis. I knew my mare would be just as strong of a warrior as me. She’s definitely lived up to her name as Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt.
As we make our way to the Summer Court, we have to pass through the Mystical Forest first. It’s the section of land that separates each of our courts and it’s also the part of the Land of the Fae where many of our creatures live that hold no allegiance to either court. They govern themselves and protect their own. Sometimes they’ll come looking for help and we’ll offer it, but they always go back to their home. The only other places they could go would be to the elves or the dwarves, but they would have to go through the unclaimed territories to get there.
The land changes the closer we get to the Summer Court. The air turns thick while the wind brings in the scent of flowers and grass. It’s a smell that we don’t get in the Winter Court. The heat will be uncomfortable, but thankfully we won’t be there for long … I hope.
Chapter 3
Alasdair- Dark Sorcerer (Black Forest)
“The plan has been set in motion, Master.”
The hideous troll kneeling in front of me said the words I wanted to hear. His name is Gothin; he was cast out of his tribe and came straight to the Black Forest where I found him. Looking down upon him, I congratulate him on the good news.
“Good, good. My time for revenge is well under way, so … what news do you have of the ceremony tonight?” I ask.
Gothin lifts his head while showing his rotten, pointed teeth when he grins.
“Our people are in place. No one suspects what we have planned.”
Walking away with a smile on my face, I peer out over the land I’ve called my home for the past century. This is great, I say to myself. Once I have the princess in my grasp, I’ll be able to keep the prophecy from coming true. I wish I could just walk right into the Summer Court and take her, but I can’t. Being patient is all I can do right now and when the time is right she’ll be mine.
For the time being, I’m safe in the Black Forest. I’m the last dark sorcerer of my time, but I only really exist in my spirit form. When the war happened over a century ago, my family were all slaughtered by the courts while I barely got away unscathed. My revenge has been planned, my army has been secretly building, and soon I will be very close to my goal.
No one dares to enter the forest, and when they do, they’re either killed or they’re forced to join my army. Either way was fine with me. Inheriting my family’s power has come with many advantages. I’ve lured numerous creatures here with thoughts of wealth and prosperity. In return, I have their full loyalty. Most of my army is traitors to their own kind or thieves that have been cast out of their clans.
My family came to the Land of the Fae from the mortal realm. When my people used their magic to find other realms, they stumbled upon this place. Once they crossed over, their magic intensified. The natural magic of the land fueled theirs and with their arrival the courts were alerted to the change. When my people were told to leave, war broke out because my people didn’t comply with the demands. We were told the black magic of our people would corrupt the land. Both courts came at us full force and they almost didn’t win. Our power didn’t have enough time to strengthen before they devastated our numbers.
The courts don’t know I’m here in the Black Forest or that any of us survived the war. They may be close to figuring it out, but hopefully my plan for vengeance will be well under way before they have a chance to stop me. My power has slowly gained over time, and the power I absorb gives me a body. I can obtain a solid form for a small amount of time if I use the special talisman for energy. When I take my true solid form, it’s the body I was born with. However, I can change my true form to look like anyone a person desires. This will come in handy when I have the princess here. When I am in my spirit form I have the shape of a normal person, but I’m not solid. I appear as a ghost, but more corporeal than a ghost. Over time I’ll be solid, and will be able to enjoy the temptations of life on my own. I can take over a fae’s body and enjoy things through them, which I have done occasionally, but it takes a lot of power to do it, so I don’t do it that often. I’ve done it several times with my minions to get the inside information myself. As long as they wear the necklaces I gave them, I have the power to transfer into them. They don’t really like it when I have control of their bodies, but it’s not like they have a choice. They signed over their lives when they decided to join me.
Around my neck I wear a talisman, and through it I can absorb power through the forest, and also by another way as well. The gem in the talisman is a bloodstone that naturally helps to strengthen and lengthen lifespan, and it also helps to steal traces of power from the people in my army. I consider it payment to be able to be a part of my army.
If I were to put the talisman around someone’s neck it would absorb their power more quickly and kill them in mere seconds. I do this as punishment to those I capture who won’t pay fealty to me. Once I take the almighty princess, I plan to steal most of her power. The more power I take, the easier it will be to persuade her. Wanting her to be my queen, I don’t want to completely drain her. Her exquisite beauty hasn’t gone unnoticed, and I’ve enjoyed watching her on many occasions to witness her levels of power. No one even suspected that something was amiss during that time when I inhabited my minion. I could see the light inside of her that only one of The Four possesses. It’ll soon become mine and I’ll be one step closer to gaining the power I need, and the body I desire.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I turn around to find Gothin staring at me, expectantly waiting on orders. “Prepare the scrying bowl. I need speak to my informant,” I command him. He leaves immediately and comes back just as fast, setting up the scrying bowl for me to use.
“The bowl is ready, Master,” he informs gruffly before bowing.
“You’re dismissed,” I say, waving him off.
The scrying bowl allows me to contact any of my people through a reflective surface. All that is needed is a drop of blood and the true name of the one sought. Using the power of the talisman, I allow myself to take my solid form. There only needs to be one drop of blood so I use the knife on the table to slice open my finger. Once the droplet falls into the bowl, I call forth the person I seek. Only a moment goes by before he appears in the bowl, looking a little nervous and apprehensive. Loving the smell of fear, I relish in the fact that they’re scared of me.
“Good evening, master. What can I do for you?” My minion asks.
I relax back in my chair and say, “I’m just making sure you have all the information I need. I know you have all the inside details of where the princess will be for the next couple of days.”
My informant clears his throat, definitely nervous and replies, “I have the information, but remember she won’t be alone during these trips. She’ll have her guardian with her at all times after the ceremony.”
I
roll my eyes in agitation. Why do these people underestimate my power?
“That won’t be a problem. Just make sure her schedule doesn’t change and use the gifts I gave to you. Keep the necklace on you at all times. That way I can take your place when I need to see what’s going on, and make sure you only use the gem I gave you when you’re ready to take the princess. It will only give you the power of invisibility until the magic runs out, so use it wisely.”
The informant bows his head and is clearly ready to end the conversation. “Yes, Master. I will do as you wish and I will not fail.”
Nodding once, I clear the scrying bowl to revel in my success. My plan is in motion and it’s such a wonderful feeling to know I’m about to have the power I seek and the female I’ve been waiting to capture. The thought of her sends my blood boiling throughout my body. Having her here with me and in my bed is all going to be worth it once I have her power. I wish she was here right now to help satisfy me, but for now, I have something else in mind.
“Gothin, get in here,” I yell.
He comes in and bows his head. “Yes, Master.”
“How many people did our army capture today?” I ask.
Gothin counts them off on his fingers. “Ten, I believe.”
“I need you to bring me one now,” I snap. The rush of draining a poor soul of their magic is intoxicating. If I had a permanent body it would feel like a ten hour orgasm, but I enjoy it much the same when I’m in spirit form, only it doesn’t last as long.
Gothin rushes out of the dwelling and is back in only a few seconds, pushing a luscious faerie woman down to my feet. Bending down to lift her chin, she meets my eyes defiantly.
“You are a pretty little thing, aren’t you?” I say to her. She has to be about twenty years old. Her body looks ripe and beautiful and it’s a shame I have to take that away from her. I’ve noticed that the power I get from females is so much better than the males. The women have purer hearts which makes their power stronger. Placing the talisman around the fae’s neck, she immediately begins to cry and wail. Rolling my eyes I blow out an angry breath. Why do these women have to be so damn weak?
Grabbing her neck, I forcefully pull her up off the ground. “All you fae are so pathetic!” I scream in her face. “I don’t see how you all won the war all those years ago.” Tired of her wailing, I squeeze her neck until I hear the crunch of her bones shattering. Tossing her to the ground, I wait for the talisman to finish sucking the life force out of her body. It doesn’t take long for her flesh to be drained and disintegrate into a pile of ash. The bloodstone shines bright red and glows ominously throughout the room, letting me know that it’s filled with energy. Excited, I pick it up off the floor and wipe the ashes away from the stone before placing it around my neck. Sitting back, I relish in the feelings of the power coursing through my body, making me stronger. I’ll need the power of The Four to complete my transformation and I look forward to obtaining it with Calista by my side.
Chapter 4
Calista
Elvena left a few minutes ago to give me my space before the ceremony. I haven’t talked to Merrick since yesterday, so I have no idea what to expect. Xylia and Meliantha should be here any minute to walk with me to the Great Room where the ceremony and feast will be held. After the festivities, there will be a meeting with the council and the different dignitaries from the other territories to discuss the Black Forest, along with the missing fae, and our plans on how to keep our people safe.
I can feel the evil growing stronger, so hopefully, after this meeting we’ll have an idea on what our future plans will be regarding our safety. The leader of the dwarves, Durin, won’t be here, as well as King Madoc and Queen Mab from the Winter Court. Durin and King Madoc are having their own meeting to discuss the production of more magical relics. It’s been said that the magic in the relics made by the dwarves have certain components that have the capability of destroying different types of evil. This will come in handy if we ever went to war again like the courts did a century ago.
Walking through my spacious bedroom, I head to the space that has always been my sanctuary … my library. My library is where I like to relax because reading has always been my escape. It’s connected to my room and it’s just mine to use. When I’m not secretly training with Merrick, I’m in my library or out in the gardens with my sister, Meliantha. I love to engross myself in a book and imagine I am right there with the characters.
Taking a seat by the window, I pick up my favorite book that’s sitting on the nearby table. I got it from the mortal realm, and I’m reading it for the fifth time. The love story between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is simply epic.
It’s not long before I hear Xylia and my sister enter my bedroom. Xylia and I have been best friends since infancy, and she’s also the wildest and craziest girl I know. Her mother and father have been part of the council for many years and are good friends of my parents. Xylia and I travel to the mortal realm every now and again, mainly so I can get my books and so Xylia can get her choice of hair dye. She put streaks of purple in her dark blonde hair to match the purple dress she picked out for the ceremony tonight. She’s also part wood nymph, super skinny and tall like me reaching about five feet ten inches. When she comments on how she wants my curves I always snap back at her and tell her to eat more. Most of the time it just gets me an eye roll from her. She complains that I need a new hobby instead of reading. The trees are her escape and she hates that books are mine because the pages are made from trees. She’ll just have to get over it because I’ll never give up my books.
“Calista, where are you?” Xylia calls from the bedroom. “Oh yeah, let me guess, you’re in here.” Xylia pokes her head in through the library door and sees me holding a book. Giving me a grimace, she quickly switches it to a smile.
“I thought you would be in here. Happy Birthday, Princess. Why are you in here reading when you have your own story that’s about to be made? It’s a totally romantic story that doesn’t involve cutting down precious trees, and involves half naked, hot warriors.” She jumps up and down with excitement and rushes over to me. “Aren’t you excited about tonight? I wish I was a royal and had hot warriors fighting over me. Who do you want to win?”
Leave it to Xylia to think a bunch of men fighting over a person is hot.
Rolling my eyes at her, I say, “Oh Xylia, I don’t care who wins because I think all our warriors are honorable men. I would be proud to have any one of them by my side. It’s just the ceremony part that I’m a little nervous about.” Pausing, I look at her with a sly smile before asking. “Do you think you’ll dance with Conall tonight?”
“Yeah, if Merrick doesn’t kill him first,” she jokes. Conall is one of our warriors and will be fighting for the title as my guardian. Xylia has had feelings for him forever, and I think he might have feelings for her as well.
Meliantha sighs loudly and rolls her eyes at Xylia while pushing her off to the side playfully. It’s kind of hard to get a word in when Xylia is around.
“Sister, I think it’s exciting. I can’t wait to get my guardian next year. The whole reading minds thing is going to be kind of awkward, but that’s one of the ways they can protect us.” She comes over to lean down, giving me a hug. “Happy Birthday, Calista.”
Hugging her hard, I turn back to look out the window. This little alcove I’m sitting in is my favorite place to sit and think. I’ve pondered over the Guardian Ceremony for days sitting here. The sharing of blood is the final step in the ceremony where all we have to do is take our special dagger and run it across our palms. Once my guardian and I have done this, we join hands and our blood will join together in our bodies and form the special bond. The dagger that’s used in the ceremony is made by the dwarves, and each royal has a dagger specially made for them and their guardian. Durin, the leader of the dwarves, has made mine personally, and I feel honored that he had decided to do it.
My guardian will always carry the dagger with him after the ceremony is c
omplete. The dagger is magical in itself because it absorbs both mine and my guardian’s blood during the ritual. With that combination it makes the dagger a very powerful weapon.
After completing the ceremony, we also get the ability to hear each other’s thoughts. There’s nothing sexual about it, but the intimacy of being in each other’s head is going to be different. I’m nervous about my guardian being able to hear my thoughts because some things I think about can be very embarrassing.
Standing up from my seat, I run my hands down my dress to get the crinkles out. My floor length dress is strapless and emerald green in color. Diamonds are encrusted around the bust with an intricate pattern of silvery thread along the back and down to the five foot long train. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.
“Your dress is absolutely gorgeous, Sister,” Meliantha swoons. Her wide-eyed gaze roams over my dress as she traces her fingers along the patterns stitched into it. Her eyes then travel down to my hand, noticing the ring I was wearing.
“Where did you get the ring? It’s lovely.”
Looking at Meliantha, I smile. She’s still holding my hand, looking at the ring, when I say, “Elvena gave me the ring. She thought it would be a great birthday present.” Meliantha looks up and lets my hand go gently. “Your dress is beautiful as well,” I tell her, tracing my finger along the neckline of her pale pink evening gown. Her silky, auburn hair is stunning, but what makes her different from the rest of us in the family is that she has amethyst colored eyes.
We don’t know how she came to get that color, but they’re strikingly gorgeous. She’s only a year younger than me, but I feel like I have to protect her. Meliantha is timid and very tender-hearted which goes along great with her magical abilities for nature and animals. She loves to tend to the gardens and once she steps outside, all the animals flock to her, vying for her attention.