With the blade being made of iron, it can kill one of us very easily. The sorcerer can hold the blade because he’s not fae, but if we were to hold the blade it would melt the skin off our hands. We would heal from it, but if we were to be stabbed with the blade, we would die.

  All three of them are going hard, moving left and right, trying to get in a good hit. Ryder and Merrick are moving great together, but the sorcerer is averting every single move. They’re moving so fast I can’t get a good visual to attack. I feel so damn helpless just standing there.

  “You’re not helpless, Calista. We want you to stay back so you don’t get hurt.”

  As soon as he says that, my world comes to an abrupt halt. Everything happens in slow motion and I can’t seem to grasp what I’m seeing. The soul searing scream that escapes my mouth echoes the scream in my head. Putting my hands to my ears, I fall to my knees hard. The scream in my head is piercing and filled with the sounds of agonizing pain and fury.

  The tears begin to fall as I crawl my way to the warrior on the ground. The fighting is still going on around us, but my focus is on the man that I’m now pulling into my lap. His breathing is coming out raspy and he reaches over slowly to clasp my hand, hissing along the way from the pain. I sit behind him with his head in my lap and I hold him tightly. Brushing the blond hair off his forehead, I kiss him there softly. My tears are making it hard to see, so I angrily wipe them away because I don’t want to lose these minutes by seeing a blurry outline of the man that has been my friend for all the years of my life, and the guardian that was sworn to protect me. The gash across his stomach is oozing blood, and I can see the poison of the iron blade spreading across his abdomen. How am I going to live without him?

  “You will live because everyone needs you. Ryder needs you and so will your court. You’re going to be an excellent queen. I just wish I could see it. Oh yeah, and tell Ryder ‘you’re welcome’ for me protecting him with my body.”

  I burst out crying and lay my forehead against his. Even in death he could still be a smart ass. I rub my hands all over his face and body because I know very soon he won’t be here and I will never get to touch him again. My throat feels tight and I’m glad we can talk silently because I don’t think I could get my voice to work right now if I tried. I hold him tighter while rocking back and forth. Rocking back and forth always seems to help me, but not today. It’s useless because nothing is going to change. My Merrick is going to die.

  “Merrick, please don’t leave me. I am so sorry about hurting you and anything else I’ve done to cause you pain.”

  Leaning his head back, he looks at me with tears in his eyes.

  “I love you, Calista. I will always and forever love you. I’ve accepted that you and Ryder belong together because he is your destiny, just like it is my destiny to die here today with you.” He reaches up to touch my cheek.

  “We will see each other again in the Hereafter. I’ll be waiting for you there.” He closes his eyes and opens them back up slowly. I can tell he’s slipping away.

  “My essence will be in you now. When I leave, it will go to you. So you see, we will always be connected and I will always be here.” He puts his hand over my heart and says, “Forever.”

  “I love you, Merrick, my friend, my guardian … always.”

  Bending down to kiss his lips, I send all the love I have for him pouring into the kiss to take with him to the Hereafter. He kisses me back, but then pulls away ever so slowly. His face is peaceful when he looks at me, and smiles.

  “Goodbye, my love.”

  “Goodbye, Merrick.”

  A beautiful white light escapes his body as he begins to dissolve into the ash that all Fae become after death. The light floats in front of me, flickering and twinkling like a star. It moves closer to me and then absorbs into my body over my heart. The instant it connects to my body, I feel a jolt as a warm sensation spreads around my heart. The hole I felt in my heart before has been filled with the power of that light, and that’s when I feel him … Merrick. He’s there. His essence is in my heart and soul. The loss saddens me and it will hurt for a long time, but the presence of him inside me gives me the power to do what I have to do.

  Wiping the tears from my eyes, I look at Ryder still battling the dark sorcerer. He looks tired, but he’s still trying. He goes back and forth between being visible and invisible. I would assume it’s because his concentration is failing. He needs my help, but I need to lay my guardian to rest first because his ashes do not belong here. Taking a deep breath, I call upon the wind to carry Merrick’s ashes away. I ask the wind to carry them to our special field; the field where we trained every morning and the place we played as children. The field is a special place for Merrick and me, and it will continue to be for as long as I live. I feel the wind blow and it smells fresh and clean. It isn’t the nasty rancid air of the forest, but with a warm, sunlit breeze of a summer wind. I sit there and watch as the remainder of my friend is swept away and taken to our special place.

  My silver locket lies on the ground along with Merrick’s guardian dagger. Before I pick up the dagger, I place the silver locket around my neck. My eyes begin to burn and my throat tightens up as I stare at the dagger. I lift my hate-filled eyes to look at the man who took my guardian away from me. He’s bloody from wounds across his body and he has a sneer on his face while he circles Ryder. This ends now. Ryder has sweat pouring down his face and his breaths are coming fast. His muscles are shaking from the strain and exertion of wielding his sword, and I know he’ll continue fighting until there’s nothing left.

  Closing my eyes, I take a deep steadying breath to clear my mind while gripping the dagger tightly in my hand. This is all for Merrick and everything the dark sorcerer has taken from me, and the people I love. All the hate and rage I have in my body builds and builds until I become consumed in it. Once I open my eyes, I let the dagger fly with as much force as I can muster. The next few moments go by in slow motion as everything comes to a halt.

  The fighting comes to a stop and the dark sorcerer stands wide-eyed staring at his chest. I had hit my target. Running straight for me, Ryder takes me into his arms and holds onto me tightly.

  Breathless and tired, he says quickly, “Oh Calista, I’m so sorry about Merrick. I love you so much, and I don’t know what I would have done if we didn’t get here in time.” He hugs me hard and kisses me fast.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay,” I cry. “But we need to get out of here.”

  The dark sorcerer falls to his knees in Avery’s body. His face is furrowed in pain as he removes the dagger and throws it on the ground. Letting go of Ryder, I reach down to quickly grab the dagger and walk away. Coughing and grinding his teeth, his voice sounds laced with evil when he spits at me.

  “This isn’t over, Princess. You may have wounded me now, but at least I succeeded with you. I took a piece of you and now you can’t get it back. I will find the others, and when you least expect it, I’ll be there.”

  Letting the anger and rage guide me, I storm over to him. The adrenaline pumps through my muscles and the sweet taste of vengeance is sharp on my tongue. The dark sorcerer looks up at me and opens his mouth to speak, but I don’t give him the chance. I slash the dagger clean across his neck, cutting through tendons and bone in one quick swipe. His blood splatters on us, but I don’t care. There will now be one less minion for the dark sorcerer to take over. I have killed two people today and I don’t feel sorry for their loss at all. Their betrayals have cost numerous people their lives, and I avenged them all. The dark sorcerer emerges out of Avery’s body like a black cloud while Avery’s form disintegrates into ash.

  “Until next time,” he sneers.

  “I’ll be ready!” I spit at him.

  Everything goes quiet when he disappears. I can tell he had been hurt because his form was almost see-through. He has my power now, but for some reason my guardian blade had an effect on him. I need to remember to ask Elvena about that and maybe we’ll be able to find a way to defeat him.

  “Princess!” Nixie appears fluttering her little golden wings and waving her hands.

  “Where have you been? You were supposed to help us,” I snap.

  She turns her head for us to look behind her and she points at something coming from a distance. Galloping toward us are two horses. I recognize Merrick’s white horse, Storm, and the other horse must be Ryder’s.

  Nixie looks at me with a smug look.

  “I did help, and I still can, but we need to get you out of here. NOW! You may have wounded the dark sorcerer, but it won’t take him long to come back for you. When we reach the edge of the Black Forest, I can use my magic to take you home.”

  Ryder and I quickly embrace and he kisses me hard and feverishly. He climbs on his horse and whispers something in her ear while I climb onto Storm. Leaning down to rub Storm’s neck, I begin to cry.

  With a choked sob, I say, “I’m so sorry Storm, but I lost him. He’s never coming back, boy.” Storm huffs and bows his head. Giving him a little nudge, I demand softly, “Let’s go, Storm. Fly like the wind and take us home.”

  Both horses are agile and fast as we race our way through the forest. Nixie flies along beside us the whole way. I’m so glad she brought the horses because I don’t think we would have made it out of the forest without them. We reach the edge of the forest quickly and the adrenaline that fueled my escape has now left me exhausted and weak. All I want to do is sit down to cry and break down over the loss of my guardian, but I know I can’t do that until I get home. Getting home is the most important thing at this moment.

  Exhausted, I turn to Nixie and ask, “Now what’s your plan? You said you could help when we got to the edge of the forest.”

  With a gleam in her eye and her chin lifted proudly she says, “I did, didn’t I? Give me your hands.” Nixie floats between me and Ryder. We’re both still on the horses but we each grab a hold of her tiny, green hands. They feel so fragile and small, but she grips my hand tight and I’m shocked by the amount of strength her little body has inside of it.

  Nixie asks, “Where do you want me to take you?”

  Ryder speaks up, “Take us to the Summer Court.”

  Nixie looks over to me and I nod in agreement. The second after that, we’re thrust into a whirlwind of colors and it feels like we’re floating in the air. I’ve heard of this before, but I’ve never seen it. Now I know why Alasdair wanted her so much and it’s because she can port travel. It’s a very rare gift and only imps have the capability. Most fae creatures can travel to the mortal realm, but it’s not the same as port travel. Nixie can travel to any part of the Land of the Fae in a matter of seconds, and take whoever she wants with her.

  The colors begin to fade and slowly we find ourselves at the willow tree by the lake in the Summer Court. A sigh escapes my lips as I look upon my home, and of the place that became the beginning to mine and Ryder’s change. I’m home or at least my home for now, but I’m missing one other person that was part of my home. The tears begin to flow and it isn’t long before I’m in Ryder’s arms and he’s holding me tight. I peer up at Nixie floating in the sky.

  “Thank you, Nixie, for bringing us home. I’ll keep you safe and we’ll search for your family soon,” I tell her. “I will hold up my end of that promise.”

  Nixie smiles and nods her head. “Thank you, Princess. The pain will ease over time of your lost guardian. I know it hurts, but he’s still with you, even if it’s only in spirit.”

  Burying my head in Ryder’s chest, I let the sobs take me.

  “I love you, Calista, and I’ll help you get through this,” Ryder whispers in my ear.

  He takes my face in his hands and tilts me back to place a soft, gentle kiss on my lips. I sigh as I look into his eyes. “I know you’ll help me, but we have a lot to do in the meantime,” I say with a slow growing smile.

  Ryder returns the smile and before he can kiss me again Nixie cuts in. “So when’s the wedding?” she asks with a smile, looking at us both.

  We both turn to her and then back to each other. Even though we haven’t known each other long, our souls had been together before the beginning of time. We can’t delay fate and our fates are ready for this next step.

  Glancing back up to Nixie, I answer her softly. “Soon …”

  Chapter 26

  Ryder- 5 Days Later

  The night we arrived back to the Summer Court palace, the place went into an uproar. The people were happy and excited to have the princess back home safely, but were grieved with the news of Merrick. A passing ceremony will be held in his honor as well as Xylia’s parents, Raisa and Foster. We explained to King Oberon and Queen Tatiana everything that happened, even down to the violent details. Calista sobbed when she had to explain how she killed both Warren and Avery. She apologized to me about killing Warren because she was afraid of how I would feel about her when I found out, but I reassured her that it had to be done and she saved me from the heartache by actually doing it herself. I told her that I was extremely grateful to her and that Warren’s death was going to happen no matter what.

  Calista and I had decided to wait a week until the wedding. The week is almost up and I will soon be able to have my queen.

  Arriving to the Winter Court palace was humorous at best. Every single person I passed took a double take look at me. Since my skin color isn’t pale anymore, it was a shock to my people and my family. Kalen had already filled them in on the changes, but it was still a shock to see. To a Winter fae, the change is a drastic one. I explained to my family what was going to happen when Calista and I are joined in the marriage bond, and believe me, saying they were ecstatic is an understatement. We also held a meeting asking the entire Winter Court to attend. My parents agreed that if anyone wanted to follow me to the Fall Court, they could. If the Fall Court is their true home, they will go through the change just as Calista and I had.

  The Land of the Fae claims all owners of the land, and it appears that the unclaimed territory by the Winter Court is where the Fall Court will begin. Calista said she felt the land calling to her and that’s where we needed to be. Only the rightful owners can claim a territory. That’s why the dark sorcerer wants the power of The Four so he’ll be connected to all of them, and his power will be matched with ours. Meetings will be held soon after the wedding to map out our plans for keeping our people safe, and Elvena is looking into the reasons why Calista’s dagger had such a major impact on the dark sorcerer.

  As I head back to the Summer Court to meet Calista, I pass through the land that will soon be mine and hers. Thanks to the magic of both courts, our palace has already been built with magic. It’s pretty simple to build homes here in the Land of the Fae. With Calista having an affinity for the earth she can build a whole palace in minutes. It’s actually an extraordinary ability, but we ended up having many of the fae from both courts add their magic to our new home. It makes the place feel more special knowing that my people and her people came together to make this place ours.

  The true essence of the Fall cannot be seen or felt yet since the bonding hasn’t been fully completed. I’ve changed the weather through my magic and made the cool crisp air that Calista and I dreamt about in our vision. It’s a temporary fix until the true magic takes place. Various trees and shrubberies have been provided for the landscape to make the wedding more beautiful. Our wedding will be held here so that everyone can witness the magic taking place when the Fall Court forms. Then once the marriage bond is complete, Calista and I can retire to our room and complete the more anticipated part of our bond. It’s going to be one hell of a night, and one that is long overdue.

  Chapter 27

  Calista-Wedding

  I look out the window of my new home to the soaring landscape of what will soon be the Fall Court. The land called to me and Ryder and I’ve put a claim to it. The magic of the Land of the Fae has always been a mystery, but when the land wants to be claimed it will let you know. I’m sitting in my new library in the palace Ryder and I will share, and it brings me just as much peace as the one in my Summer Court home brings me. Everything will be so different when the Fall magic is unleashed. It will be just like the vision. The trees will be nothing but shades of red, yellow, green, orange and brown. The air will have the crisp smell of autumn and pine. It will also feel cool grazing along my skin. Closing my eyes, I can imagine it all and once tonight comes it’ll 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 lightens my heart and brings a smile to my face. I’ve missed the sounds of Elvena and Xylia laughing. Meliantha and my headstrong younger sister Ariella are here as well. Today is my wedding day, and yes I’m nervous with the fluttery and nervous stomach and all, but I’m also exuberantly happy. I turn around and laugh at them as they carry on, acting crazy. I had decided that each one of them would wear dresses in one of the Fall colors, and they all look amazing in their gowns. My dress was made here in the Land of the Fae and I have it laced with magic. To go along with my love of Greek mythology I had it made into a toga style that flows gracefully down to the floor. Not being able to decide what color to go with, the magic enhanced on the dress helps 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 catches my attention. She was forbidden to come to my Blood Ritual with Merrick because of using her magic to do destructive things. She’s a beautiful girl with the hair the color of snow and twinkling blue eyes. The red dress I put her in makes her look amazing; along with the red lipstick she’s wearing to match. She’s totally trying to look like a siren tonight. Ariella is several years younger than me and has 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 tease, laughing.