Page 101 of Royal Lies

I explained that exact story to Fletcher who in turn just seemed very perplexed about it all as his brows rose, scrunched, and glared.

I blinked back smiling my best smile as I finished hoping it would dissuade any murderous intentions he might have. I know my smiles are his weakness.Gotta play it up as much as I can!

"So ya, pretty sure they're real 'cause I saw them and I think I just saw one of the sisters here. Pretty sure it's the bad one." I finished grimacing as Fletcher just gawked at me before turning back to the forest tree lines as if he could still catch a glimpse of her in her black wicked glory.

"Umm. I love you, don't hate me, we could go to therapy, human couples do that all the time, right?" Holding out two figures as if I was shooting something at Flecther I tried to shake off his anger at me.

Fletcher massaged his forehead with his fingers rubbing it back and forth, back and forth. It's kind of hypnotizing.

"I'm not angry, Evie, just a bit shocked. I mean I thought they were just myths."

Good, he wasn't mad.

Well, I guess my attempt at lightening the mood just got thrown out the window.

Seriousness is so boring.

Sighing, I shrugged, "Well, all myths are true to some extent. But I do know where you're coming from. The only reason I hitch a hike along with my mother was because I was curious aboutit myself. She was talking this whole nonsense about fairies and how their lands just gave birth to two new queens. So I tagged along in secret to find out what she was talking about. For the longest time, like you, I thought fae were the only true humanoid magical beings out there. Well besides elves, sprites, dwarfs, and maybe a little bit of trolls, but they're green.”

"Everetta," Fletcher warned closing his eyes and waiting until I knocked it the fuck off.

I'll admit I do sometimes get sidetracked but there is just so much to dive into. Like is their more human-like magical being besides what already exists?Wait- just imagine there are like beings that could shift between humans and beasts. That'd be so cool. Also a bit weird cause then what would happen to their clothes?

"Everetta," Fletcher repeated as I tried grinning it off. No doubt he already knew my mind was trailing off into la la land.

"Sorry, but just imagine. What if humans could actually perform magic, that'd be a sight to see.” I exclaimed my eyes no doubt brimming with glee.

Fletcher sighed as I shrugged, winking at him, “Yes, I understand your curiosity but darling, wait until I have my notebook with me. We can dive more into that later when we don't have a crisis on our hands."

"You're no fun," I pouted, crossing my arms across my chest. In all honesty, I was just joking, I wasn’t really mad at him.

"While we're alone now. Why don't we address that body issue of yours? I know what you're planning to do. It's practically written all over your face. You're planning on dying again aren't you?" Fletcher said, causing me to stiffen my shoulders at the hurt look in his eyes. I guess he knew. Was this the question he really wanted to ask?

I guess I couldn't keep playing my games given my current predicament.

Looking away I tried to smile. The tight pull of my lips strained my face as I pushed out a sigh. Forcing out a small chuckle I bit down against my lower lip. "We just can't catch a break, can we? Sometimes, I wonder if we're even meant to be." I stared out into the darkening forest not able to meet his cool warm ice blue eyes. This time not only because of the memories, but also because I was afraid of what I had to tell him. Whenever I looked into those ?calm blue skies of the Winter Court I found myself questioning if what I needed to do was worth it. I couldn’t be questioning myself, not now. Not after everything and he knew this.

"I know I don't have to. I know I could stay. Live out my life in this broken body of mine. But I just can't. We both know my temper. Uncontrollable. Automatic. Always there. It'll only be a matter of time before the magic in my body overwhelms it. When that day comes and Eli irritates me too much… You know how my emotions are. The more I feel the quicker my magic builds up. ‘A downside to being an all-powerful fae’ as my mother used to say."

Turning I looked back up at Fletcher begging his soft blues to understand, "I would give up everything just to live a normal life with you. But I can't,wecan’t."

I could feel the well of tears trickling down my face as the words left my mouth.

Magic's how I want to do that, just live a normal fae life. I never asked for a crown. Magics know I hate responsibility. But I couldn't just shrug it off.

"I made a promise, and there is so much I want to tell you but I can't. It's complicated. Don't worry it's nothing too big, or maybe it is. Depends on the fae I guess." I laughed the chuckle coming easier this time.

Sucking in a deep breath I tried to calm my nerves. I watched as the time ticked by.

"Eli wants the crown to prove his worth. Lucarious wants his empire for power. And here I am. I want the throne for my Mother. I gave her my word on her deathbed. A bargain in death, the strongest of all fae deals. I told her I would become the next Queen of the Griffins. Then, I threw that to shit in my first life. I know I destroyed the lands. Probably why Eli doesn't trust me anymore. Maybe he's scared of me now or maybe something else. Magics I hope it's the ladder. But the bottom line is I can't become a queen with my current body. It's become weak, fragile, unreliable."

Not to mention my mind is fractured in this body. Plus, if I cast away this body, it might help me permanently deletethatside of me Eli reawakened. That weak idiotic fae half of me. The girl who wore no masks. Who trusted those she cared for when sheshouldhave known better. Always have a blade in front and behind you. Basic fae rules. But he doesn't need to know that. That I'm also doing this to killher, my "conscious" side. This realm doesn't need a fae like that. Certainly, not a queen with that mentality.

"I could give it all up, deal with the consequences of not fulfilling the bargain that transcends death. The only problem or well there is a multitude but one of them is that the Griffin Courtwillrot. Or I suppose now it's called the Summer Court. Seriously who the fuck named it that?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me but also to lighten the mood a little as I gazed at the weary smile plastered against Fletcher's face.

I hate somber moods. It always brings people down.

Closing my eyes I crossed my arms, "Don't look at me like that. If you do, I don't know if I could do it." I couldn't meet him in the eyes. Maybe it was because of the memories or maybe because I was just a coward.

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