Pixieland Diaries

Day Five and Three-Quarters

Day Five and Three-Quarters

Dear Dairy,

When we last left my life, I’d just accepted a magical visit from Dare. Now a small sphere of white light materializes in my bedroom. The shape expands until it turns into what I call Ghost Dare. Technically, this is his astral body projecting for a visit.

Ghost Dare is just catchier, in my opinion.

For a moment, I drink in the sight of him. Even though he’s semi-transparent, Ghost Dare is still rather attractive. Like all winter elves, the prince is crazy tall and ripped with muscle. As always, Dare’s longish dark hair perfectly highlights the straight cut of his jawline. Chunks of white mix within all the black strands—that’s is a super-cute look. Today Dare wears his standard black armor and a fur-trimmed cloak. It’s really a shame that the winter realm is so cold. I never get to see the guy in shorts.

Dare’s teeth turn super pointy while his nails stretch into extra-long claws. That’s a winter elf thing; it means he’s upset. “I just left a meeting with the summer court,” Dare says in his rumbly voice. “I have terrible news.”

“Let me guess. Lazare is sending an assassin after me.”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“I’m incredibly wise about a lot of things. It goes along with being grown-up and mysterious.” There, that told him. “Anything else?”

“I’ll be at Lazare’s court for some days.” He raises his hand, showing off the scar on his skin. “I may not be able to acknowledge your palm line summons. At least, not right away.”

Huh. Two things can happen when I use our palm line connection. First, Dare might accept my visit. Second, Dare could just acknowledge my request. In that case, the palm line will pulse like a busy signal. And Dare always, always, always acknowledges my palm line summons.

This news is el strange-o.

“Anything I should know about?” I ask.

“Perhaps.” Dare rakes his fingers through his messy hair. That’s a sure sign he’s hiding something.

“Let me guess. Does it have to do with naming your bride?”

“Calla.” Even as a ghost, I can see him blush.

The pieces fall together. For Dare to ensure I’m his future wife, he must meet with Lazare. After all, summer fae are more powerful than winter. Most likely, Lazare thought Dare would wed one of his yucky daughters.

Ick. What a horror show those three are.

Dare must offer concessions so Lazare will accept a different choice of wife. Magic wands, most likely. Those store power and are crazy expensive. I nod once to myself, confident I have it all worked out. And once everything is set with Lazare, Dare will spring his surprise proposal on me.

What a sweetie.

“I completely understand.” It’s an effort not to blab my discovery, but I don’t want to ruin Dare’s plan. “I’ll be fine while you’re gone.”

All signs of blush leave his face. Ghost Dare fixes me with a serious look. “Listen to me carefully.”

I shift in my bed and lean forward, as if I want to hear better. Which is sort of true. However, the movement also gives me the change to rearrange my blankets in a way that best shows off my pretty PJs.

“Go on,” I say solemnly.

“Lazare won’t stop trying to somehow ruin your life. Be on your guard. Summon me if you need me.” Ghost Dare raises his hand once more. The scar on his palm glows white with power. “I will always find you.”

Sweet, but not a proposal. I slap on a fake smile. “How nice.”

“There’s more, Calla.” Ghost Dare float-walks even nearer and—at last—I know this is it. His heartfelt confession.

All of a sudden, it’s hard to pull enough air into my lungs. “Yes?”

“I’ve always noticed you,” says Ghost Dare.

“Of course.” I look up at him through my lashes. According to my kissy novels, this particular glance works well for romance. “You see me as—”

“The little sister I never knew I wanted,” finishes Ghost Dare.

“What?” I can’t believe this.

“You’re the only trustworthy person in my life. As an elf prince, you’ve no idea what that means. Especially in my family. You know about my brother.”

Heck, everyone’s heard about Reiver. Dare’s older brother tried to murder Tristan and failed. Instead of killing the king, Reiver knocked Tristan into an eternal sleep, murdered the king’s guard Halycon, and ended up getting his own nasty self offed along the way.

Clearly, I’m getting the better brother.

In fact, the only good thing Reiver ever did right was to die while Dare was still a toddler. I can’t imagine growing up around that piece of work.

Speaking of Dare, my future husband leans in closer. “No matter what happens…” My heart pitter-pats while my favorite prince takes in a long breath. “I’ll always protect you.”

“Oh.” Words echo through my mind.

Protect.

Not love.

Not marry.

Protect.

With that, it’s official. My life sucks. Pulling the covers over my head, I scrunch lower on the mattress. “Got it,” I say through the comforter. “I’ll stay safe.”

“Am I being dismissed?”

“I ate galla root for dinner and you know how filling that is. Bye, Dare.”

“Rest well, little hob.”

Sheesh. Little hob is a nickname from when we were kids. Like I need reminding that Dare’s frosty pea brain has me stuck at six years old. To show my displeasure, I pull down the covers and stick out my tongue once more. That will show him, part deux.

Ghost Dare grins, and it’s a great look on him. Who am I kidding? Every expression works on this guy. A moment later, Dare’s cloudy self dissolves from the room. Which is fine. Now I can get some rest. Only trouble is, the more I think about it, the more I keep wondering about Dare’s visit to the summer elves.

Fat chance of falling asleep now.

-Calla