Page 31

Everetta

It’s just one fucking betrayal after another! First it was Eli now it was her ?! Fuck them all! Seriously, can't some fae just be upfront to my damn face if they're going to betray me? Is that too much to ask? I mean I'll kill you before you can even act on your plans, but- Ugh ! It's just so frustrating!

Closing my eyes I tried to soothe the rising anger boiling in my system. I just got rid of the residual magic in my system. I don't need it building up on me again.

"Everetta!" I heard Fletcher calling for me as his rushed steps hurried over to my black blood-splattered body. I wasn't hurt or anything, my body was just covered in the blood of shadows. Any injuries I had sustained were healed.

"What happened out there? Why were you hurt so much? Did you see something?" Fletcher was already wiping away the black blood from my wrists with his sapphire embroidered silk handkerchief as soon as he reached me. A small light blue wolf head was stitched in at the lower right-hand corner of the handkerchief.

Of course, he was watching. I shouldn't expect anything else from him. I must have worried him a great deal when I was just taking their slashes at some point after that first shock. Though, I was sure without the additional aid of his ice magic my arms and face wouldn't have been as clean of the shadows' blood with just one measly scrap of cloth. Now that I think about it, why even bother with the cloth if he was just going to clean my body with magic? For appearances I guess.

Bringing my wrists closer to his body he placed his fore forefinger and middle against my pulse. He was recording the beat of my heart no doubt. To check if it was beating at a normal pace. If my magic was at the correct levels my pulse would be beating just fine. A little more magic and my pulse would be more rapid. I let the man check for his own sanity. Pouting a little at his damn question I felt a little embarrassed that I was even caught off guard. In my day and age, I should have expected anything and everything to happen.

I should have known better.

"I know I was sloppy. You don't have to tell me." I muttered the last part a bit bitterly as Fletcher sighed, scowling back at my deep frown.

"That's not what I meant and you know it. I was just worried. You're not normally caught off guard like that. So what did you see?"

Fletcher flicked a hand in the air manifesting a mini laboratory set before us. This was so like him, already preparing another one of his little potions to heal me. Pulling out a thumb-sized vial, needle, and syringe. All he was missing was a white lab coat.

I sighed, he would look so much hotter if he was wearing one right now.

The guy must have a sixth sense for my thoughts because the instant the idea popped into my mind Fletcher was looking up. His eyes caught mine. Beaming back at him I smiled, “You know next time you should put a glamour on, make it look like you're wearing a white lab coat. It’d look really hot.” I suggested as Fletcher shook his head humoring me; a small smile plucking at the corners of his lips.

My mood instantly soured when he peeled back the plastic from the needle to attach it to the syringe. Ugh, I hate needles. I guess I couldn’t? get rid of all the residual magic in my system. I thought I did. Following my train of thought Fletcher answered as he popped off the cap on the needle.

"Don't worry this is just a safety precaution. It'll help slow down the rate at which your magic replenishes."

Like I said the guy had a sixth sense, so creepy. A tiny pick broke through my skin as I watched the needle empty the brown concoction into my system.

Hmm, how interesting. When did he develop that?

I watched as his cool blue eyes focused on the fading purple veins in my arm.

I smirked, cocking my head, “So, when’d you make it?" I sang grinning like the so-called child Eli thinks I am.

Finishing up his task Fletcher cocked a brow, his gaze never moved from the needle. "I'll answer that once you answer my question. What did you see?" He repeated withdrawing the needle as I felt the slip of the thin metal leaving my body.

Damn, I was really hoping my question diverted him from asking that again.

I groaned forcefully, stopping myself from shivering at the memory of those brown eyes, from those last dying words, "Help me." It had pleaded as its body turned to black dust fading away in the wind. I wish I could just pass it off as a hallucination. But I wasn't drunk, like a certain fae I knew.

"A fae," I clipped, confusing Fletcher as he led me back to a large boulder. Arching a brow I noted the only slab of lush greenery not splattered in black or snow. It was quite obvious as the rest of the land surrounding this little circle of green was smattered in black blood and mud. Turning my head back at Fletcher who just smiled gesturing for me to take a seat on the plush grass. "I do have my magic back. Doing small things like this is the least of what I can accomplish. But anyways, what do you mean a fae?" He questioned as he completely changed my stained white nightgown or really it was more brownish black now.

Huh? Guess I never changed before coming out here. How many shadows did I flash my undies at? Oh well, they're all dead now.

Waving his hands over me Fletcher dressed me into fit black leathered preaches and a soft loose-fitting light golden colored ruffled button-up short-sleeved blouse with a string bow at the collar.

Hmm, that’s not quite right yet.

I added small neatly placed carvings along the sides of the blouse painted red. Happy at my addition I looked back up at the slightly frowning Fletcher but he didn't say anything, only pressing down on his lips. As if he wasn't exactly happy but also not unhappy with my alterations.

Did he not like me adding things to his design? Speaking of which, whenever I did it to any of Eli's designs he also showed that same face. Said it had something to do with an artist's pride. Making changes to it might mean that you didn't like the design or so Eli had informed me once. Opps. Must have forgotten about that small tidbit. I'll have to mind not touching Fletcher's designs in the future.

Hurrying to get his mind off my small mishap I cleared my throat. I can't take back what I did now. I had my own pride to consider, “ Ehem well, it seems they were originally fae, the shadows I killed I mean. Or at least some of them were. When I killed them, some didn't just fade. It was like- I don't know… it was just unsettling, and you need a lot to unsettle me."

"And that was what threw you off?" I wasn't sure if it was worry or curiosity burning below his light blue eyes. It was as if he was saying that that scene shouldn't have unnerved me the way it did. I knew that too but… it did. But he also didn't seem like he was judging me for that little fumble. It was more like he was just… concerned?

I sighed a bit disappointed at myself but nodded, "I guess. I just wasn't expecting that. I mean I know how shadows are made. When fae fucking turn to the dark side and all that crap. Fae who have light magic or elemental magic use dark magic, get influenced and then turn. Or they break a bargain and this is their curse. But once they become shadows they don't want to turn back anymore, more power and all that nonsense. What I mean is those fae didn't seem like they wanted to remain a shadow. At least that was the vibe I was getting. It was more like they were forced into becoming one."

Turning I nearly blushed at how close we were. Like five inches and six centimeters with two millimeters of distance to be exact. Hurriedly I turned my face away again.

He was way too close! That and-

Flashes of him dying in my arms ran through my mind as quickly as lightning. His bloodied body crumbled in my arms. His ghost-like empty vacant eyes as they stared through me. My own hands drenched in his blood. Grimacing at the image I shook it off. I don't think I could ever meet his eyes again, at least not in the way all lovers seem to do. "What do you mean?" He replied and was that a little hint of hurt in his tone? I must be imagining his reaction. There was no way he could guess what I was thinking, I was masking my shit really well here.

"I don't know. For one, shadows don't just turn back into regular fae when they die. They explode, pop, turn into dust, melt. That is what’s supposed to happen. But… some of the shadows, they- Fletcher." I cut myself off as a thought entered my mind.

' She' always did love her experiments.

Could it be?

"Evie? What is it?" He asked, trying to get a read on my emotions as I blinked, turning back to him. My mind was far too deep into my own train of thoughts to notice how he was inching closer.

"Ok, well. You're going to kill me for this but- and it might sound unbelievable like really really unbelievable. But it's true and-" I started turning back to face the man as Fletcher frowned, cocking a brow at me.

"Sweetheart, I love you. I really do but get on with it." He sighed, chuckling a little, causing me to smile a little back at him.

"Ok so have you ever heard of the tales about Celestial fae?" I asked as Fletcher frowned, nodding slowly.

I kept smiling as past memories of the garden events assaulted me. The blood, the fire, the scent of death and decay. I couldn't let Fletcher know about this yet. So, I had to remain calm, I had to remain put no matter how much I wanted to scoot away. Clenching my hands into fists to stop the shaking I hoped Fletcher didn't catch my slight movements.

"My mother, or my past life's mother used to tell me all about them. But they were just bedtime stories." He began. Frowning he started trailing off as he noticed the wince on my face before his eyes widened in shock.

"Are they real?!" Fletcher blinked in surprise, his aristocratic accent peaking out at his exclamation. Fletcher was better than Eli in the accent department but every now and then Fletcher does let his royal Wolf lineage show. Trying my best to play it off I smiled crookedly back, “Sort of? I mean they're not fae but well, their names are the same. They kind of do have the same history as those faetale bedtime stories, because they are fairies?" I was a little unsure of it all myself despite having visited their realm back in my past life. I mean they do have wings so, not quite like a fae. All we had was pointy ears, magic, and the wings. But, the ones we had were feathered, not translucent like the fairy folk.

When I had been young in my past life I'd snuck on a ride with my queen mother to the fairy lands. Then I remained there for five sun cycles learning their trade and even became best friends with one of them. Who now in turn stabbed me in the back. Just thinking about it boils my blood.

You would think working under her would grant you some form of loyalty but no. I guess she and Eli have one thing in common: no decency for their loved ones.

Humpf, such disloyalty.

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 about it 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, we can’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 delete that side of me Eli reawakened. That weak idiotic fae half of me. The girl who wore no masks. Who trusted those she cared for when she should have 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 kill her , 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 Court will rot. 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.

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 holding me 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 played with 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 still my body.

"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 until I could 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!"