Fury like I’d never felt before flooded through me, and I lost all control of my abilities. Wind whipped around us as I let go of all restraints. I’d been played for a fool. As much as I didn’t want to believe the Fate before me, I also knew they didn’t meddle with things lightly.
My heart was shattering into a million pieces as I recalled my time with Sara, all the moments that I’d held on to for decades and cherished. My mind was still unwilling to believe they were all a lie, but my heart? My heart was conflicted beyond comprehension. Half of me filled with hatred at having been tricked, and the other was filled with grief for a love I had thought was true but wasn’t.
How could everything with Sara have been false? I didn’t understand it. I didn’t want to accept it. Everything within me ached at not only the loss of the woman I once loved, but the memories that were now tarnished after what Fate had shown me.
I’d made so many mistakes, because I’d believed in what I had with her.
Kali. I’d pushed her away. Told her I didn’t want her when everything about her drew me in. I’d lied to both of us and probably made her want to hate me, but she’d never be able to. The bond wouldn’t allow her to, no matter how much I had denied it. Eventually, if I’d never given in, she would have moved on, but indifference is all she would have been capable of with someone else.
Sucking in a deep breath, I drew the air back within me. “What do I need to do?”
Fate smiled at me. “You need to make things right with Kaliah. The bond needs to be accepted by both of you before she faces Alaryk, or she will be highly susceptible to his attempts at luring her to his side.”
If he’d been able to trick me into thinking Sara was my Meraki, I had no doubt he was more powerful than I’d given him credit for before.
“Why does he want her?” I asked between gritted teeth.
“Alaryk believes that a union between the last dark fae and light fae royalty lines will bring about a reign of power like their ancestors had never been able to achieve. He is deceptive and will do anything to get what he wants. You need to understand just how dark he’s gone, Ryland. He killed his own parents when he was only thirteen years old, and he’s been on his own ever since. With every kill, he becomes more powerful, and he won’t stop until there is nobody left that he considers a threat.”
My jaw tensed as fury flooded through me. This was not good, and I needed to get back to Kali. I needed to apologize for being an idiot. Though, my mind and heart had loved another for so many years that even though my mind now believed she was my Meraki, I was still hesitant. To make my heart believe what I’d seen wasn’t going to be as easy as it sounded.
“I can’t stay any longer, but we need to know you understand now. That you believe what you’ve been told and seen,” Fate said.
“It’s not going to be something I can quickly fix, but yes, I believe what you’ve shown me today. We’ll figure out a way to make this right,” I replied.
He placed a hand on my shoulder. “Do you want me to make you forget she ever existed? We never want to take your free will away, but if it will help you move forward, I can take those memories away.”
Did I want that? Would it really make things easier? No, it wouldn’t. I wanted the rage that settled deep within me. I wanted the motivation it gave me to find Alaryk and make him pay for all he had done and all he planned to do.
“No, I’ll be okay, so long as Kali forgives me for not accepting what I should have known as truth,” I said.
Fate grinned. “You’re going to have your hands full, but we have faith it will work out. Though, she has her own free will. We might have deemed the two of you the perfect match, but it’s up to both of you to make it work. Meraki doesn’t mean utopia. You still have to fight for the love you desire.”
I’d already been fighting, but it had been for the wrong reasons. I’d been fighting the feelings Kali stirred within me, but not anymore. I’d show her I could be the man she deserved, and I’d never stop, even if or when she forgave me for pushing her away.
Chapter Sixteen
Ryland didn’t show for my final test, but I told myself a million times that it didn’t bother me. I didn’t need his approval of my progress. I didn’t need him for anything, no matter what my soul thought. I was a badass, and I’d do what needed to be done with the people who actually gave a crap about me.
Stryx was perched on the edge of the table and hooted at me. “So, your final test isn’t so much a test, but more like show and tell. I want you to demonstrate to me what you’re comfortable doing and answer a few questions. There is nothing you can do that is wrong. We just need to simulate some scenarios to make sure it’s safe for you to leave Arvayta.”
Nodding in agreement, I kept telling myself I was ready enough for whatever little test they wanted me to complete. I wouldn’t let any obstacles keep me down.
Jordan and Oliver were present and standing beside Stryx. Without notice, Jordan tossed a fire orb at me, but I doused it in water before it could burn my skin.
“Not today, Satan.” I grinned and thought about how I had called her Satan before I knew she had an affinity for fire. It was constant entertainment for me.
“I’m only warming up, and it’s two against one, so I wish you luck, Chuck.”
Just as she reminded me Oliver was capable of taking me down as well, a vine raced up my leg, but I pulled my training dagger from behind my back and cut it into bits before the creeper wrapped around my waist.
All without cutting myself, which was an improvement on its own. Normally, I was fairly good at drawing blood whenever I was using the blade Stryx said would help me prepare for the ones I needed to wield against Alaryk.
Jordan continued to distract me with flames or fire orbs while Oliver attacked me with vines and the occasional hole in the ground. Those would randomly appear when I was dodging the fire before using my water affinity to keep as many of their hits at bay as I could.
After I’d been singed no less than five times, twisted both ankles, and had bruises from the vines strangling me all over my body, Stryx finally called them off. “I think that’s enough defensive work. You did well, Kali, but that’s not enough to keep you safe. There are a certain number of people surrounding us right now. Call out the location of each one or you’re as good as dead.”
This was always harder for me, because while I could call on water easily when I was in danger, I still struggled with properly utilizing it when I couldn’t see my attacker coming for me.
Closing my eyes, I took in a deep calming breath and connected to the water in the air around me. Then, I moved that connection further down and into the ground beneath me. Water was everywhere, which should have made wielding it that much easier, but instead, it was almost overwhelming.
Picturing the connection like a bubble, I pushed it slowly away from me while keeping my eyes closed. I sensed the moment Jordan, Oliver, and Stryx were within it, even felt the warmth in Jordan’s hand as she likely considered playing dirty and hitting me with fire while I was focused on something else.
The further out I searched, the more strained my body became, and my jaw tensed as I pushed my senses beyond any distance I’d attempted before.
“Behind the boulder to our right, one man,” I called out. “Two more in the trees to my left.” The process continued until I’d found nineteen people and was barely standing upright from the amount of energy and focus the task was taking from me.
“One more, Kali. Can you find them?” Stryx asked, and I groaned.
I’d searched everywhere, high and low, and there was no one else. He had to have counted wrong.
“Don’t give up on me now. You’re almost done. You don’t want to be a failure, do you?” Stryx taunted, clearly listening to my thoughts. Jerk.
Gritting my teeth, I tried one more time. This time instead of searching further out, I moved my bubble further into the ground as I bent down onto my knees and sank my fingers into the dirt.
Water raced toward me and coated my arms, but there was no one hiding beneath me that I needed to worry about.
Next, I tilted my head toward the sky and glanced around, no longer needing my eyes closed to focus since I’d been connected for nearly twenty minutes. There was nothing visibly out of place that I could see when I turned in circles, but if someone with the wind affinity was hiding up there, then I’d never find them unless I pushed harder.
Glancing at Stryx before I used the last of my energy, he nodded for me to continue, which hopefully meant I was on the right track.
Pushing myself beyond anything I’d ever been capable of before, I arched my power high into the sky and felt tiny pin pricks against my skin as the water began to speak with me.
Higher. Left. Further left. Slow down.
Gotcha.
“There’s someone about a hundred feet in the air, shielding herself with the wind,” I said triumphantly and felt pretty good until I was smacked in the face with that wind and my mom appeared before me.
“Nobody has ever found me before.” She glared. Then, just as I worried that I’d done something wrong, she winked and wrapped her arms around me. “Very well, Kaliah. You have no idea how proud I am of you.”
Dad blinked into the picture. “We’re both really proud of you.”
They each gave me a hug before I turned back to Stryx. “Did I do okay?”
“You did very well. There is still plenty to learn, but if we get separated for any reason, I wouldn’t worry about you finding a way to survive on your own. At least for a short amount of time.”
Geez, that was encouraging.
“We wish we could come with you, but we also have every faith you can do this on your own,” Dad said, and I smiled.
Even though I was their only daughter, they’d given me all the room to grow into my own person for my entire life. They always supported my decisions and never tried to make me into someone they thought I should be instead of who I wanted to be.
Granted, becoming a princess of sorts in a magical world hadn’t been on my horizons, but they were at least letting me handle things on my own terms and had yet to pressure me to do any of the training if I wasn’t ready.
“What do we do now?” I asked.
“Now, we change and head to the Otherworld. Jordan has proper attire for you to wear,” Stryx said, but when my face paled, he added, “It’s standard clothing. Calm down.”
The last time I’d let Jordan dress me when we were on Earth, I had ended up in hooker boots, a tight black mini-skirt, and the brightest pink sequin top I’d ever laid eyes on. My entire body shuddered at the memory and I even saw Stryx’s feathers rustle. There was no way he missed that image in my head.
“What about Ryland?” my dad asked.
“He’s welcome to come if he shows, but we haven’t seen him all day,” Stryx replied without looking at me.
That feathered tyrant knew at least one of us had seen him today, but I owed him one for not saying anything. I’d rather not have his rejection be discussed publicly. If they wanted to chat about it when I wasn’t around, that was fine by me, but we definitely weren’t having that conversation right then.
“See you at the house!” I called out before porting, and Jordan was right behind me.
“Is everything okay?” she asked as soon as she was at my side in front of the house.
“Everything is great. Now, show me my new badass warrior clothing.”
She eyed me suspiciously. “That was too enthusiastic, but I’ll let it slide. I expect you to tell me what’s going on when we get back. If I need to kick someone’s ass, don’t rob me of that joy by keeping information from me.”
I wrapped an arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “While I appreciate your words, the actions aren’t necessary. I’m just ready to get this over with and see what the Otherworld is all about.”
She raised a brow at me. “So, you’re telling me the weirdness I sense from you has nothing to do with why Ryland is missing?”
“Yep. Ryland’s a big boy. I’m sure he’s fine. He doesn’t concern himself with my business, and I won’t be concerning myself with his.”
She shook her head, but thankfully let it go. “Alright, then. Let’s get ready.”
While she got the clothes, I took a quick shower to rinse off the dirt and sweat from the test and felt like a new person once I stepped out of the water. Even after almost two weeks, I still was fascinated with the effects water had on me. Hopefully, I wouldn’t ever tire of it or take it for granted.
Jordan was nowhere to be seen, but there was an outfit on my bed when I got out of the shower that was actually something that I was okay with. It was a one-piece suit with a hard, two-tone exterior and a soft layer on the inside. The outer layer was black and dark grey, possibly made from Kevlar or something similar. Though, I hoped it wasn’t for dodging bullets and only to protect from magical hits.
The last two items were a jacket made from the same material as the outfit and a pair of sturdy boots that went all the way to my knees. Everything fit perfectly, like it was made just for me. Even with the hard exterior, the clothes formed so well to my body, I could move with absolute ease.
Once I was dressed, I headed to the bathroom and forcibly removed my crown in order to manhandle my hair into submission. After it was brushed and braided and the crown was placed back where it belonged, I took a long look in the mirror.
My blonde highlights shone brightly through the plait, and my eyes were crystal-like against my tanned skin from being outdoors training so much. There was almost a flow about me, a sense of accomplishment and power flooding through me.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I was petrified of this place. Sure, I had been curious, but knowing magic was real wasn’t as fun as it sounded. It came with complications humans didn’t have to worry about, but as I stared in the mirror, I could see the changes I’d already made in such a short time. No matter what came my way, I’d be able to give my best without any doubts.
Jordan came rushing back inside, seeming out of breath. “Oh, good. You’re ready. Let’s go.”
“Uh, where have you been for the last five minutes?” I asked, surprised to see she was already dressed, but still somehow seemed disheveled.
“Just checking on something. Come on. The others are already at the portal, and Stryx said he’d leave us behind if we don’t hurry.”
He was way bossier than I would have ever expected, but in a way, I loved it. He was always honest when he was able, and he seemed to truly care about what happened to me. So, even though I sometimes wanted to pluck all of his feathers out when he tortured me, I still loved him.
My parents were waiting outside the guest house, and my mom’s eyes welled up when she saw me. “You look exactly like your grandmother.”
My parents never talked about our family when we were on Earth, for good reason, and we hadn’t had much time since arriving in Arvayta, so for the first time, I truly sensed the grief pouring from them. My heart broke, and I made a silent promise to ask more about my ancestors when we got back.
They deserved to be remembered and talked about. The dead weren’t something to avoid; they were to be celebrated even if their time was cut too short.
“I love you, Mom,” I whispered when I hugged her tightly.
“I love you, too.”
Dad hugged me as well, but it didn’t last long as Jordan huffed impatiently. “Come on.”
With one last wave to them, I followed Jordan’s port, and we arrived at a row of smaller waterfalls that led to who knew where.
“Alright, we’re here. Let’s go.” Jordan tugged on my arm.
She was being awfully pushy, even more so than usual, so I knew something was up, but I had no idea what. Stryx didn’t seem to mind, and Oliver was already present, dressed in the same outfit as us except a two-piece that was baggier where needed.
“I’ll punch in the coordinates for the Otherworld, and then we can walk through,”
Oliver said and headed over to what I had thought was just a rock, but it revealed a pin pad as soon as it was touched.
“So, we step through the water, and then the Otherworld will be on the opposite side?” I asked Jordan.
“Well, sort of. We walk through, you float through time and space, and then you stumble into the Otherworld, but you’ll be fine. We’ve only lost two people in a few thousand years.”
My eyes widened, but before I could say anything, the waterfall lit up in a golden hue and I was being dragged toward it, all the while hoping I wasn’t going to end up in some void for the rest of eternity.
“Wait!” a deep voice called, and Jordan cursed.
“We were so close,” she grumbled.
Turning around, I saw Ryland leaning against a rock and glaring daggers at Jordan. “You lied.”
“Did I? I think I was just confused. How about we catch up later? Bye!”
Jordan pushed me into the portal with no notice, and I screamed louder than ever before while praying to the Fates I wasn’t about to die.
Chapter Seventeen
About thirty seconds later, I crashed onto squishy ground while still screaming. I’d never been so scared in my entire life, including when I had known I was going to die and turn into a magical being.
“What the hell, Jordan?” I snapped as she appeared right next to me, landing softly on her feet.
“You don’t need any distractions right now. Ryland is one of those, so I took care of him. You have other things to focus on today. Like blending into the Otherworld, meeting with some important people, and making them love you like I do. Ryland doesn’t need to be a part of any of that with his brooding attitude.”
Of Dreams and Sorcery (Royal Fae Guardians Book 1) Page 11
