Page 7 of Forgotten Fate

The guard’s expression mirrored my own inner thoughts, but I didn’t show him my doubts, despite the fact that they still lingered close to the surface.

I still didn’t know what I made of her story, but I didn’t read any lies coming from her, despite my persistent skepticism. I relied on my instincts, but her account failed to align with my own beliefs, leaving me perplexed. It simply didn't add up, and I realized I was at an impasse, lacking the necessary information to proceed further.

Calliver stood at Landon’s side, his face equally questioning as I followed behind the female. The trespasser’s uncertainty was palpable when she glimpsed at the towering Royal Guards staring at her with naked mistrust.

“Take her back to the castle,” I instructed them. “And send for the healers immediately.”

Calliver’s lips parted as if he wanted to question my command, but immediately thought better of it when he caught the gleam in my eye.

“Yes, Alpha,” he said instead, straightening his spine to show his full height. “This way.”

The hapless, injured fae looked at me worriedly, and I nodded, gesturing with my chin for her to follow the guards. “As I said, they have horses nearby. I’ll meet you at the castle.”

Worry clouded her sky tinted irises that now had more life in them than they’d had when I’d first peered into her face. They truly were a remarkable shade of blue now that the fog had cleared, but concern quickly replaced her consternation.

“Aren’t you coming?” she asked bluntly.

Landon bristled at the bold query, but I forgave it this one time. If she really didn’t know which way was up, she was bound to make some faux pas along the way. For her sake, however, I hoped she was a quick study.

“I’ll meet you at the castle,” I explained. “Go with them now. Don’t ask more questions.”

She didn’t like my response, and her lips parted to disobey already, but I stepped away, losing myself in the thick of trees to shift back into my wolf form and dart ahead of them. I had every intention of beating them back to the grounds, if only to alert my enchantress, Endora, of what was coming. The guards would keep this mystery fae occupied with the healers while I located the kingdom’s enchantress.

Endora would know what to do with her if I didn’t.

The sun began to fade over the horizon by the time I reached the castle’s immaculately kept rose gardens on the outer grounds. Several of the landscapers still worked, trimming and pruning the plethora of flora that my mother had once taken pride in working on herself.

The sight of the workers always troubled me, triggering a memory of my mother that was always bitter, never sweet.

She should be here right now, giving orders and scolding them for the way they’re lining the mulch,I thought, slowing my gait to a trot for the last few steps before one of the rear entrances.

I morphed back into my mortal body here, pulling out a stash of clothing I kept near the doors to shimmy into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. It wasn’t the most regal outfit, but it would suffice between shifting and making it to my chambers, where a proper set of clothing awaited me.

Pulling open one of the double glass doors, I almost ran smack into my sister, Cyndella, as she hurried toward the gardens, her nose stuck in a book as always. She gasped and recoiled, her verdant eyes bugging before she could register that it was me in her path. Instantly, her shoulders sank.

“You scared me, Zen,” she mumbled, running a hand through her shoulder-length mane, strands of black tangling in her fingers. Her cheeks were gaunt, pale with undertones of yellow, deep bags imprinted beneath the dull green of her eyes. She smelled as if she hadn’t showered in days, her hair disheveled and greasy from lack of care.

I smothered a sigh, a wave of protectiveness washing over me.

“You need to watch where you’re going, Cyn,” I chided her gently. “You should always look forward, keep your eyes ahead.”

Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she nodded quickly, glancing at the ground. Clapping her hands, she sent the book flying across the room in a small whirlwind ahead of her, and I stifled a groan as I realized I’d already discouraged her from her plans.

“I know. I know,” she muttered, glancing over her shoulder like she suddenly didn’t know where she was going anymore, or she didn’t know how she’d gotten where she was.

“It’s all right,” I told her patiently, extending my own hand to stop the novel from flying out of sight, but it was already gone. “No harm done. It’s a beautiful day to read in the garden. It’s good that you’re getting out.”

“Maybe I’ll just read in my room,” she decided, spinning around, and I stifled a groan.

I shouldn’t have said what I did. She was wary enough without me fueling her paranoia, rightful as it was. Cyndella was already in such a delicate way. She didn’t need me or anyone else adding to her persistent distress.

“You have nothing to worry about here, Cyn,” I told her quietly. “You haven’t in a long time.”

“That’s what Mother thought, too,” she answered predictably and hurried back the way she came.

This time, I let the groan out, but I didn’t bother to chase after my sister. I’d been trying for a while to alleviate her sense of suspicion inside the castle grounds, but it was difficult when I wasn’t able to do it myself. She was likely feeding off my own wariness, much as I was trying to let it go.

And here I was, bringing strangers through the walls. This wasn’t good for Cyndella’s peace of mind.

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