Page 47 of Chased By the Fairy

I have to talk to him.A part of him wanted to know why Sorrel was dismissing him so easily.

Sunny’s feathers puffed out, and he kicked into action by pacing in front of Cypress. He brought his hand to his face, rubbing it, before bringing it over the feathers that acted as hair. “He can’t leave it.”

His head snapped to him. “What do you mean, he can’t leave it? I know Sorrel well enough to believe he would do anything to get back to his mother’s side. She’s waiting for him.”

“He’s getting married to the mayor.”

His wings fluttered behind him, cascading red dust around his feet. “What?!”

He couldn’t believe it! He’d gone through all this effort for someone who had fallen in love with someone else. Cypress couldn’t believe he was that replaceable in Sorrel’s mind.I fucking chose him to be my prince, and he decides to marry that wretched mole sprite?

I love him...But now his heart felt twisted and confused.He’s going to marry her?

“You don’t understand, though.” Sunny continued to pace, and he shook his head as though his mind was clouded with a thousand thoughts. “I don’t know how much he wanted me to share, but I get the feeling he doesn’t want anyone to know the truth.”

Should I have told him I wanted to marry him?Shit, but Cypress hadn’t gotten the chance to do that before he was taken!

He’d wanted to tell him he’d made up his mind after their dance in Pond Town and the intimate events that followed, but he’d decided to ease Sorrel into the idea of being with him. Hehad been new to the outside world, and Cypress hadn’t wanted to frighten him away – no matter how much his heart at the time had been screaming for him to tell him.

Would he have chosen me instead if he knew the truth?

So many thoughts ran rampant through his mind, he didn’t know where to focus. On the information from Sunny that had started his inner turmoil or the twister of emotions, feelings, and regrets he held inside himself.

“Know the truth of what?” he murmured quietly, feeling his enthusiasm deflating.

What truths were there? Would they do anything to help the way he was feeling, or would they only break him further?

He realised he didn’t want to know the answer.

“I don’t know if I should be telling you this, but I can’t sit by and do nothing. We have to help him,” Sunny said as he came closer. He grabbed Cypress by the shoulder, pleading with him like he thought Cypress would deny him. “It doesn’t matter that he’s made his decision. He said she’s forcing him.”

That cut into Cypress’ darkening thoughts swiftly. “What do you mean, she’s forcing him? You either want to marry someone or you don’t.”

“He said something about her destroying his mother’s home if he doesn’t.” Sunny ran his hand over his head feathers once more. “I couldn’t get him to explain any more. He said he didn’t want to talk about it, but it can’t be good. He said he’s safe and his mother will be safe and that’s all that matters, but I just can’t stop from feeling like this is wrong.”

“He doesn’t actually want to marry her?”

His feelings of betrayal and sadness dissipated to give way to stronger emotions, ones he would gladly lean on. Ones that would make him do anything for the person he cared most about in the world.

Anything to make sure Sorrel didn’t have to needlessly suffer more than he already had.

“He looked so miserable.”

“When?”I have to stop this. I have to save him.“When is the wedding?”

He knew he wasn’t going to like the answer when Sunny looked him straight in the eyes with drawn in lips. His features, filled with worry, winced as he took in Cypress’ tense posture and hard expression.

Sunny held his breath, like he hated the next word that fell from his mouth so much he didn’t wish to utter it.

“Today.”

The last day of winter.

Sorrel stood at the altar on the wedding podium with the impression that a black hole had managed to slip its way inside him overnight. He was dressed in a white tuxedo with a black tie and shoes, and although many people had complimented him this day, he felt like an imposter.

He’d tried so damn hard to be cheerful, but he didn’t realise just how easy it had been to smile until he’d completely lost his spark for it.

“Oh, you look so handsome!” Cindy told him. “Sally will be so pleased. You know... once she gets a closer look at you.”

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