January Dreams by Carrigan Richards (best fiction books of all time txt) 📕

“I’m not sure I’d call it love. More like he’s possessive of you.”

“You’re wrong.”

“Why do you think he calls you his trésor?”

“Stop! Why do you say such things? Did the Elves get to your head?”

Florence stands and grabs me at arm’s length. “Listen to me, Megan. I can see part of you is arguing with yourself. When Vincent left last time, you met Casper and I met Edmond. You spent every day with Casper. They came to take back the Jewel, but when Casper met you, he stopped looking for it. You eventually tried to help him find it. When you caught word that Vincent was returning, you both decided to run away. You left in the middle of the night and when Vincent found out, he sent men after you. None of them ever came back. They started a war that lasted four years. But you were gone for seven years until Vincent found you.”

My gaze shifts to the palace. I can’t believe what she’s telling me. Casper. Every time I hear his name, my heart swells and my body fills with a prickling sensation. “Vincent said Casper was trying to kill me. Why would we have been in love if he was trying to kill me?”

“Of course, Vincent says that. He doesn’t want you near Casper. It’s a simple tale of star-crossed love. Now he erased your memory completely of Casper so you can’t remember anything.”

“Why would I leave Vincent like that?”

“Because you love Casper. He is more to you. From what you told me and from what I witnessed, you looked at Casper differently. You were truly in love.”

I shake my head. “No. I love Vincent.”

“You love both of them, but nothing compares to your love for Casper. Casper never manipulated you. Elves only fall in love once and it’s for good. You are Casper’s true love. I’m only repeating what you told me. But I saw it too, Megan. Casper made you feel alive and you were more yourself instead of this caged bird that Vincent forces you to be.”

“He doesn’t make me feel like that, Florence.” But even as I say the words, somewhere deep inside me knows she is right. “Vincent said he was dead.”

Florence widens her eyes and drops her jaw. “What?”

“I remember a gunshot and a struggle.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “Everything is hazy. I can’t remember anything.”

“He killed Casper?” She angrily spit.

I don’t know the cause of her anger, but I see a single tear squeeze from her eye.

“Now I know the cause of this war. The Elves are after us and the Jewel.”

“But we’re safe from them, right? I mean, Casper and Edmond wouldn’t have us killed.”

“That is if the Elves know of us. I wonder if you and Casper made it to his homeland. And Edmond.” She bows her head. “I don’t know his fate.”

“This doesn’t sound like me at all. I love Vincent with all my heart.” But as I say the words, that immoral feeling washes over me. Casper. Is this true? Did I really fall in love with another man? An Elf no less? I must try to remember the truth.

I want to scream. Throw something. I’m so sick of all the dreams and the confusion I feel for both Vincent and Casper.

I pick up my phone from the nightstand and search for new messages. I want to talk to someone, but I know Cherry is asleep. Vincent hasn’t texted me back. I finally read Casper’s message from earlier.

I miss u. I really do. I can’t find you in my dreams. The days at school are long, even though I only see you during one class. Hope ur well.

I wonder if he’s awake. I shouldn’t be sending him messages if I want to work things out with Vincent, but Vincent made it clear he doesn’t want to talk. Besides, shouldn’t I be able to talk to whomever I want? Even if I’m in a relationship? Okay, so Casper isn’t perfect, but I believe him about not telling anyone that I stayed at his house. Maybe someone from school overheard my argument with Vincent in the store parking lot. Casper saved my life. That counts for something right? I argue with myself for a while before I finally send a message to Casper. I know he won’t respond until the morning.

Hi Casper. Sorry it’s been a while. I hope you’re well.

My heart is beating ridiculously fast as I close my eyes, holding my phone. When it beeps, my heart speeds up even more.

I’m so glad u sent me a msg! I can’t sleep.

Me either.

How are you feeling?

Not great.

Still? Do you need to go back to the doctor?

My illness is getting better. Vincent and I had a fight.

Why?!

Because I told him I’d been talking to you.

I’m really sorry. We can stop talking of you want.

The thing is I don’t want to stop. As much as I hate to admit, you’ve become a friend. I wish he hadn’t gotten so upset.

I hit send and I’m not sure where these thoughts and words come from. It’s as if I am listening to my dreams more than I should be. They are dreams. They mean nothing. But I keep telling myself they have to mean something if I share them with Casper. What if he’s some mythological creature manipulating me into love? I shake my head. That’s ridiculous.

My phone rings and it’s Casper calling. I answer in a low voice so no one can hear me.

“I’m sorry, Megan. I really am.” I hear the genuine sympathy in his smooth voice. I love his voice. It calms me and I know he cares for me deeply.

“It’s okay. Hopefully we can patch things up. He’s been