Page 48 of Royal Lies

“I see you've finally arrived.”

And by the magical why does he sound so familiar?

Approaching the boy cautiously I scanned the margins of books on the shelves. A slight nod was all I was willing to give to show him I knew he was there. Behind my back, however, I was already casting a spell to remove him from my mind. His soft warm smile caused me to frown pausing in my steps as I instinctively curled my lips up, just as warm and heartfelt as his. Wait, wait, hold on why the fuck am I smiling? Do I know him? Like seriously,do I?

Clearing my throat I reaffirmed my scowl in place.

The questions lingered in my mind, but even if I did remember him in some distant space in my chaotic brain, he stillneeded to get the fuck out of my mind. I needed to distract him so I could get closer and remove him from my head, "And how exactly did you get here?"

"A bonded can always go into their own bond's mind." His words hung in the air, causing me to halt my prowl toward him.

With a narrowing of my eyes. I scoffed, ya right. Haha! Good one! I saw him, Flynn, my mate, the one who was already out there with my conscious mind and who looked nothing like this hot fae- cause seriously like wow. The guy was hot, what with his long lashes and a perfect light coating of blue to his hair. Not to mention those eyes and cupid bow lips. I mean I get most fae are pretty gorgeous but he was special. Can't say why, I just feel something towards him. It was like a tugging sensation pulling at my heart as corny as that is. But that should only happen with Flynn and-

Thinning my lips at that note I shook the thoughts away. I have Flynn, and he was my wow. I don't need another wow. Not that I'm interested, but that current Flynn, he sure was acting strangely from his past self, more shy- more weird. I don't know anything ‘bout this life's Flynn. He was just rubbing me the wrong way.

"I do apologize for any misconceptionsyoumay believe, but perhaps I didn't make myself clear—Flynnis my only bond. Even if he's a bit standoffish in this life, he still is... I think. Honestly, I'm not sure about how I feel about his personality right now. But even so, one bond, one fae, so you can't be mine and I certainly can't be yours. Therefore, I'll ask again, how on earth did you find your way into my mind?" Cocking a brow I urged him to answer before I blasted him out. Sue me, I was curious, and why the shadows would he think we were bonded. Also, most fae would say mates but I never liked the word, so barbaric don't you think? Flynny always said that, bonded. Maybe it was because he knew I hated the word.

Blinking, I frowned. Was it just a coincidence that he used bonded instead of mates?

Still, I couldn't help but analyze my present-day memories of Flynn. This Flynn was as timid as a trembling bunny staring up at a lion. He lacked the boldness to stand independently. The Flynn I knew was resolute, never stumbling through questions or letting my attention drift away from him. A pang of possessiveness always lingered in his demeanor, but I always just thought it was his being boyfriendy.

I winced at the memories that jolted back. I hadn't even known I'd truly loved him till- Let's not think of that, at least not now. I'll apologize to him when I get back to my conscious body, with all my memories intact, and then if- if he forgives me, then maybe- maybe we could make it past what had happened. Of what I had done. I clenched my fists automatically at the memories of blood, Flynn jumping, and magic. Then golden hair, not sure if it's my hair but just golden strains of something.

A smile graced the mysterious boy's face as he extended a book towards me, confusing me more. I tilted my head down briefly looking at the book, confusion and curiosity clouded my thoughts. In response to my unspoken words, the boy pointed towards one of the open books on the ground by the last shelf near one of the first pictures of us we’d taken, "Page one hundred and twenty-one, paragraphs two to seven, diagrams two and six. It should help with memory loss." He elucidated, the broad metal-framed circular glasses perched on his nose teetering slightly at his small smirk. It wasn't an 'I know everything smirk'. I got the sense he was by no means trying to boast with that grin but that it was simply how he smiled.

Flynny smiled like that.

Reaching out I steadied his glasses, almost instinctively, again with that action. Why do I keep just reacting to this man, with the smiles and now his damn glasses? Am I not in my rightmind? Wait, no don't answer that, 'cause I am most definitely not in my right mind. Nor have I ever been but most certainly not now. It's like I've done this millions of times over, fixing his glasses that is. So I most definitely should know him but why can't I remember him? And why the fuck does he remind me of... Flynn.

Just who in the magics is he?

As my gaze returned to the bespectacled figure before me, I dismissed the unsettling notion. No, it couldn't be. Yet, as I tried to summon any recollections of Flynn, however scant they may be, a peculiar incident came to mind- our first encounter, Flynn's reactions towards Eli.

The boy just kept smiling, as if waiting for me to put the pieces together. Suddenly he flickered as if he was fading out of existence, yet he sure as hell didn't seem bothered. "I could just give you the answer, and as much as I would love to, I think it's better for you to figure out the details yourself. For now, though, you're waking up, and I can't be here again anymore. But know that Iamtrying to get back to you. I love you Everetta. Please if anything remember that." With the last flickers of his warm blue eyes, he blinked out, asIblacked out.

Conscious State

The vibrant hues of dawn painted the horizon as I awoke with a start, my peaceful slumber abruptly disrupted by someone yanking on my foot. "Everetta! You need to get up. It would be unwise and utterly impertinent to let the king wait." His papered elegance as always was not the least bit hindered by the sounds of the birds snoozing. Groaning, I buried my face in the softest pillow ever. It was like sleeping on a cloud. The feathery silktexture could soothe anyone to sleep even if it was covered in drool. Gross, but I did this to myself.

"No, fuck the king. I wanna sleep. It's so fluffy, leave me alone." My words were muffled by the cozy embrace of my makeshift fortress as I snuggled my face deeper into the pillow's warm slightly wet cushioning.

Eli, unmoved by my convincing speech, proceeded to drag me out of bed, “I'll devour all your meat if you don't get up," With a loud thump I felt the just as soft covers of the bed tuck my legs back in.

Wait.

He said what now?!

The threat worked its magic, and I shot up from the bed.

Mymeat!

I'm sure if they have great pillows here, and might I say again fluffy as fuck ones at that, then they must have great steaks, pork chops, and chickens. Oh, roasted chicken is the best, not that whole stew chicken thing. I can't remember what it's called but, either way, my meat! Wait, you know what would be better: a big-ass giant seared steak. Eek! Wait for me, my delicious meat, mama’s coming! I could already feel the magic enveloping me in cold tingly sensations as my appearance transformed into a picture of elegance.

My once unruly locks transformed into luscious cascades of perfectly curled tendrils. Styled in a way that part of my hair was twisted into an organized braided crown. Nestled amid the waves of curls were petite lilies and sapphires, like tiny celestial fragments strewn through the threads of my hair. Each delicate bloom and precious gem seemed to dance harmoniously together. My hair almost looked enchanted and not the bird's nest I always sport after waking up.

Fitting me into a cool blue sleeveless princess gown adorned with sparkles upon sparkles of sapphires and diamonds. A softgold-blue embroidery of sorts across the bosom of my chest. I think it's shaped like a little crown or something. It wouldn't really do much good to highlight the area seeing as my melons were not melons. They were more like oranges and apples. I could really go for an orange juice right now.I wonder if they'll have that prepared?

I didn't particularly care for all this extravaganza but it seemed to please Eli. I was just going to comb my hair with magic and let my waves be as wavy as they wanted. Offering his arm to me I took it as we headed into the dining room. How Eli knew it was the dining room I have no idea. Actually, I do, the amount of power trailing to it alone was too great to ignore. Sure not as great as us but well, still great.

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