Free Betrayals of Spring by L.P. Dover Page B

tonight.” She looks
     directly at me and commands, “You stay here with Finn and Ashur. I don’t want
     you going anywhere by yourself, understand?”
    She’s treating me like the scared
     Meliantha from the past. I’m not that girl anymore and to be treated like it
     infuriates me.
    “You don’t need to treat me like a baby,
     Calista. I can take care of myself now if you haven’t noticed,” I say angrily.
     Her face falls at my outburst, so I soften the next words I speak. “I
     appreciate your concern, Calista, but I’m not stupid. I know to stay here with
     Finn and Ashur, and I didn’t need you to have to tell me. What I need you to do
     is stop underestimating me. Can you do that?” I don’t want to be mean to her,
     but I need her to be fully aware that I can take care of myself. The dark
     sorcerer is after my power this time, and I plan on being ready.
    Calista looks back and forth between
     Finn and me, and with the band wrapped up and in her hands, she turns to head
     down the hall. A few minutes later she’s back with a sleeping Merrick in her
     arms and Ariella following in her wake.
    “What about the ball tonight, Calista?
     What are we going to do about that?” I ask quickly. If the dark sorcerer is
     here, he’s bound to try something malicious.
    She gives me a faint smile and answers
     hesitantly, “The ball is still going to happen and as long as you’re not alone,
     you will be safe. Rest for now, sister, and I’ll see you tonight.”
    Dealing with the dark sorcerer can’t be
     easy for her. I know it’s been five years, but the traumatic events she went
     through during her capture are bound to leave scars on her soul. I may not have
     been captured and watched my best friend die, but knowing the dark sorcerer has
     had his way with me intimately has left some deep wounds on my essence as well.
    Calista and Ariella leave quickly and
     I’m left alone with Finn. My time with him may be coming to a close if what I
     suspect is true about Kalen. If he’s the one I’m supposed to be with, then I
     have to let Finn go. Standing before me, Finn’s face displays an array of
     emotions making it hard for me to tell what he’s truly feeling.
    He takes my face in his hands and sighs
     heavily before pleading, “Mel, I can’t begin to express how sorry I am. You
     know I would never hurt you. Please don’t let this come between us.” He takes a
     deep breath and leans his forehead against mine.
    I can hear the anger rumbling in his
     chest when he adds, “If the dark sorcerer ever, ever lays a hand on you again,
     I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make him regret it.” Finn is a very
     strong warrior, but I don’t think his ability for air and wind is going to
     damage the dark sorcerer. I’ll never tell him that, but it warms my soul to
     know that he’ll risk his life to go up against the dark sorcerer to protect me.
     I would also do the same for him. I may not be in love with Finn, but the
     thought of being without him or losing him to death will be an extreme agony.
    I kiss his cheek softly and I look at
     him with sheer determination.
    “I know you would do that Finn, but if
     the dark sorcerer tries this again, it will be me that makes him regret
     it. He’s toyed with me for far too long.”
    He tilts his lips up in a slow smile and
     chuckles.
    “Of course you would, Mel. Why don’t we
     rest for a while before getting ready for the ball?” He looks down my body and
     his eyes take on a lusty glow when he adds, “I can’t wait to see you in your
     dress tonight. I bet you’re going to have all the men demanding to dance with
     you.”
    My eyes go wide at the thought of my
     dress. I’m sure everyone’s going to have something to say about it. I wonder if
     Kalen is going to be one of those men to ask for a dance, and if he is, what am
     I going to say to him? I have a few hours until the ball, so I’ll worry about
     that when the time comes.
    I