Page 102 of Royal Lies

Was my game really worth it?

Silence...

"I can't say I didn’t wish that you didn't have to. But I also understand why… I won't stop you. But that doesn't mean I won't mourn you, even if it is just for a bit." Fletcher inched closer, placing his hand against my cheek, allowing me to lean into his palms. The warmth of it soothed my aching heart but also caused me to stiffen against the memories, accosting me.

Seriously, I hate responsibilities. I hate that damn court. A court that shaped and molded me into the monster I was. It helped carve the mask of smiles and light laughter into my very soul. A court not like any other court. Though I suppose each court had its own little niches. The Griffin Court of course was always filled with charming little lies passed on as truths, more so than any other court.

Compliments on dresses and hair like sprinkles on ice cream when they were really daggers stabbing against your back. But I'd much rather not think about that at least not yet. I'm not in that court right now.

The worst thing was I hated that I couldn’t remember exactly what happened that caused me to- To kill him.

"But I do hope you could stay just a little longer. I haven't even seen you since I got back to this realm." Fletcher finished as he chuckled a little. I closed my eyes taking in the scent of his natural cologne. The soft howls of the Winter seasons, like bells ringing in festivals. Children laughing but also the haunting screams of women dying. If there ever was a scent for that it would be Fletcher. I suppose you could say he smelled inviting but also dangerous. Like a wolf under a sheep's coat. Hiding in plain sight yet never caught.

Nodding I let a small breath of air escape my lungs, "I'll try my best. But no promises." I winked as Fletcher chuckled a little.

We sat there for a while, my head moving to rest against his chest as he drew me in. His arms wrapped around me holdingme against his body. Safe, welcoming, and inviting. Fun. But also wracking me with memories I wished didn’t.

Oh and for those of you who don't know what that implies. Fun means dangerous for me. Cause what's life without a little danger?

Repositioning myself to rest alongside him we sat there in companionable silence. Cause hugging while sitting was not the best position to be in.

We sat there for a long while just taking in the scene of the Winter Court's outer forest. It's tall, stalky trunks. The outlines of the branches and leaves like hair blowing in the wind. The dark looming creatures that lurk in the depths of those bushes. I could see their shadows stalking their next prey as I breathed in the crisp almost night air.

"Did you already perfect the spell for it?" Fletcher asked as we both gazed up at the stars. Or well the stars that were glowing brighter with each setting of the sun. The hazy orange hue blended to an almost purple against the nearly midnight blue sky. The clouds, were a puffy mess of white and black as the day turned to night.

"I know the spells I wanna use. But this is more like a one-time thing." I replied as I felt him loop our fingers together.

"What spells?" The wind blew softly across both our hair Fletcher’s words getting somewhat lost in the air. The fresh breeze brought in the scent of pine and the smell of grass in the dirt. It carried the sounds of the night owls and chirping bugs that clapped their wings together across our ears.

"Well, reincarnation for one. Since it's only me I don't need to make a sacrifice. I'll only be activating the Phoenix blood in me. A speed-up spell, to quicken things along. A separation spell combined with a soul-casting spell. Add a locator spell, to find a soul that is similar to mine and a mending spell, for binding myself to the body and soul once I find it." I explained as I playedwith the small bundle of grass on the ground. Spinning the lock in between my forefinger and middle.

"That's a lot of spells. You're gonna need a lot of magic." I could feel the worried lining hidden in his eyes, but I couldn't let those emotions cloud my thoughts. Not for what I needed to do.

"That's not a problem if I need to die anyway. The issue is the timing. It has to be the second before the magic in my body kills me. I have to make sure that this body does die, but if I don’t use up all the magic before my body can be killed then-" I began.

"Then someone else can take over." I nodded as Fletcher finished my train of thought.

"Right, then it would be more like a body swap than anything else." I sighed letting go of the greenery.

I'm not giving my body to anyone else. Broken or not this was stillmybody.

"Just please, when you do go looking, try and come back as fast as you can for me,” I gulped down what felt like a stone lodged in my esophagus upon hearing those words. I could still remember the blood staining his clothes as I smiled, placing my mask back on my face.

"You know there is one secret I could tell you," I said as I stood up ignoring his request. But just as I was about to spill the theories I had about Snow my head was suddenly being pierced by a needle. Not a real one of course but metaphorically.

"Everetta! Everetta! We need you, The castle is under attack!"Eli's voice rang in my ears as confusion and horror skated across my mind causing me to stand as if I could see him if I did.

Horror because despite my anger at the bastard I still didn't want him to die. At least not untilIcould kill him. Confusion because who the fuck was attacking the castle? I thought the Wolf Court had ruins to protect the castle.

"Eli! Eli!" I screamed back to no one in particular but that was all I heard.

Was it just a one-way communication? And how the hell was he able to speak in my head? Was it because of what he did to me?

Alarmed Fletcher hurried to stand as well, gripping my arms and catching my attention as I shook my head, "Eli, I think he's in trouble." I rushed out before remembering those dark midnight wings. Almost like glistening spider webs of stars against the air.It couldn't be. She couldn't- Sure she could- Fuck!

"We have to go. Now!"

Chapter 31

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