Sacrifice of Love (The Grey Wolves #7)(61)

“I hate them, you know. Hate,” I spat sourly, ripping the wrapper off the candy.
“That’s a strong word, Jos.”
“I know, but don’t you think they deserve it? Saying all that about how I am going to ruin you, talking about me like I was not even there. It’s like they couldn’t even see me.”
“Maybe they couldn’t,” Ryland said almost inaudibly.
“Ha, ha, ha, very funny, Ry.” I paused at the curious glance Ryland gave me. “They wouldn’t hurt anyone because of me, would they?”
“I wouldn’t put it past them,” Ry grumbled as he leaned against the wall his TV was mounted to.
My head jerked up. “They would?” Not cool.
“Don’t worry so much, Jos. I wouldn’t let them, even if they tried. If I could get them to be nice to you, I would, but I can’t. Either way, I won’t let them hurt you,” he said. “Besides, you don’t need to worry about it. You only have to deal with them for the rest of the year. I get him for my entire life.”
I could only roll my eyes, the candy bar falling untouched to my lap. I didn’t like the daily reminders that Ryland was leaving overseas for college in just a few month’s time. Oxford, a huge giant ocean away. I tried to push the information to the back of my mind. I would be lucky if I ever saw him again.
“So, did you get the role?” Ryland asked eagerly, plopping down beside me. His obvious change in subject managed as smoothly as possible.
“No, of course not. The role went to Cynthia McFadden, not that anyone was really surprised.”
“What? You read the role perfectly!”
“Well, I did here in your bedroom; in the school gymnasium I’m not sure the drama teacher could hear my monologue over the catcalls about my lack of hygiene...” I hoped that didn’t sound too bitter. Cynthia had brought half the football team with her and they had quite a fun time jeering at anyone who auditioned for the same role as the cheerleader. I thought I had done a good job, even with the jocks yelling at me to bathe or brush my hair, but Ms. Flowers didn’t think so.
“What role did you get then?” Ry asked, his silky voice calm and eager.
“None.”
“None? You would have been cast as Ophelia without question if you had auditioned at my school.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course I would have. You go to an all boys school!” 
“I guess you’re right. But Michael Aliente has been eyeing that role for years now; you might have had your work cut out for you.”
“Well, I don’t think I could beat Michael; he’s way too good at those monologues.” We laughed, the thought of tiny Michael in a long Shakespearean gown bringing tears to my eyes.
“Do you want me to do something? I could make a phone call...”
“No!” I snapped. He had said it with only good intentions, but his face moved from concern to shock. My fast-beating heart plummeted; I didn’t mean to offend him. “I mean, no, thank you. Cynthia will be great in the role, though she may come off as more of a floozy than a crazy girl, but - whatever.”
“That’s not what I meant, Jos. I meant about the guys teasing you. I could always pick you up from school in the Lotus; that would stop them in their tracks.”
“They would only say I paid you,” I smiled at him, but he didn’t return the smile; I loved Ryland when he got like this; he was an incredibly caring guy. Instead he looked at me as if I had just sold his precious car, to buy a long board made of solid gold.
“Joclyn, I don’t like them making fun of you, especially when they say things that are not true. I mean, really! You, not bathe. I can smell your shampoo from a mile away.”
“How do you know that’s not just the perfume I use to cover up the almighty stench?”
“Joclyn.”
“Ryland.” My glare was no match for the blue eyes that cut into me. “It’s alright, really. It’s not like there’s anything you can do.”
“I have a full Rugby team who would gladly fight for your honor.”
“What, do we live in 1740 now?” I laughed. He didn’t. Strangely enough, he was serious. “You would fight the Eagles’ Landing football team for my ‘honor’?”
He nodded. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
“Why? I mean, no one cares about me. I disappear in that school. They only said those things because they couldn’t even remember who I was.”
“I care about you, Jos, and I don’t want people talking about you like that.” My heart sputtered for a moment before I turned to him, making sure the mark below my ear remained covered.
“That’s why you’re my best friend, Ry, because you care. You are the only one who knows me.” I smiled at him in a desperate attempt to convey that I was okay, that the name-calling didn’t hurt, even if it did. I could tell he wasn’t buying it. He could always see through my looks. “I’m fine, Ryland. Honest.” I waited but he didn’t say anything. I could just see him barging into my school with a dozen other guys in dark blue blazers. Ugh.
“Ry, I am asking you as nicely as I can manage, to not do anything. I can handle it. You don’t always have to protect me.” I tried to put as much energy into my voice as I could. I am not sure it worked.
“Alright, I won’t do anything. It’s just a crappy way to spend your birthday.”
“That’s okay. I got a great shirt, soon to be skirt-combo out of it, which I will never wear. So, no harm done.”
“You know, you really should wear...”
“Don’t start, Ryland,” I said, falling back on his bed.
“You just need the right accessories, is all.” He spoke quite calmly as he placed a small wrapped box on my chest. I sat up letting the box fall into my lap.
“What? Are you asking me to marry you?” I scoffed the words, but I still couldn’t take my eyes off the box.
“Hell, no! I have been engaged to Cynthia McFadden for years. Didn’t you know?” He pushed into my shoulder, almost knocking me over. “Just open it.”I moved back to a sitting position like a weeble. I couldn’t say anything; the richest guy in the state had just given me a jewelry box. Part of me didn’t want it, but the girl inside of me forced my fingers to rip the paper off.
The box was back velvet, soft to the touch. I caressed it, like the box itself was the gift, before opening it to reveal an inside of soft black silk. Nestled into the shiny silk was a teardrop-shaped ruby the size of my thumbnail; the beautiful jewel was suspended from a fine silver chain. A beautiful silver wire wrapped around the Ruby in swirls and spirals that joined it to the chain. I could only stare at it. I knew without asking that the ruby was real. The necklace was worth more than my mother made in a year.
“Do you like it?” Ryland’s voice was soft, entertained as he chuckled at my solitary head-bob of a response. He grabbed the necklace out of the box, and moved to place it around my neck.
“Sorry it’s not a car,” he laughed, “but your mom wanted to give you a full new outfit for your birthday and forced... eh, recruited me to help. I thought this would set off the diamonds in your eyes. I think she will do anything to get you out of those hoodies and jeans.”
I looked down at the necklace that now hung around my neck, my voice coming back. I moved my hair out from under the chain careful not to show that dreaded mark.
“Besides,” Ryland continued, “You can always wear your new outfit under a hoodie and then your mom can still feel like she won.” I couldn’t help but laugh. But, I also felt like crying. I had never received anything so beautiful, something that I instantly loved. Darn my girl emotions! One tear had leaked out.
“Thank you, Ryland. It’s beautiful. I love it.” My voice did not get above a whisper.
“You know, Jos, you’re more of a girl than you let on. I’m just glad I am the one who gets to see it.” And then Ryland kissed my forehead; I thought my heart might explode.
I hadn’t had a birthday this good, ever.
Please enjoy the following excerpt of Forever Fae by L.P. Dover
Forever Fae-
Book One in the Forever Fae Series
By: L.P. Dover
Chapter One- Calista
The Prophecy
Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
Two Courts to Four is what it will bring.
Without the Four the evil will spread,
The Land of the Fae will fall into dread.
The next generation will provide the Four,
The maiden souls and nothing more.
The Power of Four will start with the first,
If he gets the power, only then will you be cursed.
The Power of Four will be drawn to the others, 
Their power is strong, the power of lovers.
The moment they become one,
Only then will the change have begun.
Two Courts to Four is what needs to be,
To save the Land, so shall we see.
Taking a deep breath, I sat on my bed and thought of everything that was about to change. Being the daughter of the legendary King Oberon and Queen Tatiana had come with many responsibilities, and ones that I’d come to accept with great honor and duty. However, I had been known to go against the council from time to time, much to my parent’s dislike. I didn’t get the reputation for being hard-headed and stubborn for nothing. First and foremost, one of my honor bound duties was to accept a guardian on my twenty-first birthday, and today happened to be that day. In just a couple of hours, dignitaries from all over the Land of the Fae were going to be here to celebrate this occasion.