19. Evanee #3
“How long will it take?” I fought another gag as a burp worked its way up. Ryker bit his cheek, as if biting back a laugh. I didn’t even have the energy to scowl. So I flipped him off. His answering chuckle soothed me as much as the whiskey. However, I refused to let him see that.
“It’s different for everyone and depends on how much memory I was able to retrieve. I’m sorry to say that my magic has been dormant for many years, making me weak. I don’t know how much I was able to get, but you should have some memories come back at the very least,” she said.
“You mean I might have to do that again?” The blood drained from my face. Would there even be time before we reach Castle Lawryn?
“We need to get her back,” Freesia said, running into the cave’s entrance. “It’s been too long.”
“She’s right, Aniah. We don’t have time to wait and see whether it’s worked or not,” Ryker added.
“Wait—” I cut in. “If you were my… friend, in the past, why can’t I stay?
” I looked at Aniah, then at the others; Ryker’s jaw was set, his gaze avoiding mine.
I thought of Aiden—of leaving him, and my heart lurched a little.
But I couldn’t surpass this chance. Not when I royally screwed up my last opportunity.
“I’m so sorry, but it’s too soon,” Aniah said, her voice filled with sadness. “We have to wait until our allies are ready to help us escape this realm. Timing is everything. And I mean no offense, but until you remember us, we already run a great risk.”
I gritted my teeth, stomach sinking.
“I wouldn’t say anything.” Anger seeped into my words. Because I wouldn’t—despite how bizarre this was, there was a part of me that knew I could trust them. “And I’m just a human slave. I don’t think they would hunt the ends of the world to find me,” I mumbled the last bit.
“I believe you. But we can’t risk it just yet. You trusted me with the potion, now I’m asking you to trust me with this.”
“So I’m just to… what, go back and play prisoner? Be the good little human slave—”
“You’re not human, and you are no one’s slave.” Ryker’s voice dropped, a rumble sounding from deep within his chest. Silver slid through the blue in his eyes as his fists curled.
“Ryker!” Aniah reprimanded. But I paid her no attention. My heart stuttered—then stopped.
The world around me faded away as his words settled in.
“What do you mean I’m not human?” I whispered.
Dead silence. From all three of them. Until Freesia’s head tilted to the side, as if she were focusing on the sounds around us, eyes widening. “You have to take her now!” she hissed.
Ryker copied Freesia’s motion, listening, his brows drawing down. “She’s right. Let’s go.” They both moved quickly, exiting the cave.
Aniah approached me, wrapping her delicate hands around mine.
“All will be revealed. Just be patient. And whatever you do, do not trust the captain,” she breathed. Another warning against him.
“Why? Please, tell me why?”
“He’s not who he pretends to be.”
“We need to go, now,” Ryker barked from the entrance, his hand outstretched toward mine.
“Wait! Aniah—if I’m not human, what am I?”
“It’s better to let your memories remind you. The mind is delicate and can only handle so much.”
A frustrated cry left my lips. “This is ridiculous! I don’t even know if you are who you say you are. Or if this is all one big joke!”
“Give me your hand. Quickly,” Aniah demanded.
I reluctantly reached out. “I promise I am telling you the truth. That the potion I gave you will reveal your memories and that we will come back for you. If we don’t get you before you reach Castle Lawryn, this spell tying us together will lead you straight to us.
It will lead the captain to us, too, should you choose to damn us.
Do you agree?” Her red eyes searched mine, and I nodded, gaping at the sudden zap of magic that shot up my arm, threading around it like an invisible string linking me to her.
She sighed as she released me. “It is done. We’ll see you soon, Evanee. I promise.”
Ryker said nothing as I came out of the cave, shaking my arm from the residual shock. He hauled me up effortlessly in the saddle, with a blanket on there, for my bare legs and other bare bits. He was a thoughtful brute, I’d give him that.
The frigid air made me shiver, but then a heavy warmth enveloped me, his scent wrapping around me again as his heavy leather jacket settled over my shoulders.
“I need to blindfold you. We can’t risk you leading them here if you decide to betray our trust.”
I glowered as he placed black fabric over the top half of my face. The bastard was large enough that I didn’t even have to lean over for him to reach my head.
“Seems the trust game is lopsided. I’ve already drunk that potion and haven’t tried to scream or anything. Now there’s this magical bargain thing saying I can lead the captain to you anyway. Yet I’m being sent back because I might tattle?”
“One, we’re the ones taking all of the risks.
” He threw another blanket over my legs, making me jump.
“Two, magical bargains are very specific. You can only find us if we don’t retrieve you before you reach Castle Lawryn.
” He hauled himself up behind me, his huge form settling in around me.
Shielding me. Much bigger than Aiden. I fought a shudder as my other senses were on high alert; every plane of his hard muscles against my back made my stomach flip. Traitorous body.
“And three,” his breath tickled my ear. “Are you saying we should trust the female who almost slept with our enemy on a cold, wet beach?” His voice was even, but something darker edged beneath the calm.
Acid burned in my stomach.
“How—I mean, what—”
“Doesn’t matter,” he gruffed. “The point is, this is how it has to be.”
Our ride was quiet after that. Awkward. Though I shouldn’t care what he thinks. He was just a hired sword after all. A mercenary. Pfft. Still, a pit lodged in my stomach.
We came to a stop. He slid down, his warmth instantly gone. He gripped my waist and startled me as he pulled me down, then removed my blindfold. I stumbled—
The wind whipped around me as I stood atop a familiar mountain, looking down at a beautiful city just starting its night, with beings bustling far below.
They smiled and greeted one another as they traded goods in the square.
Children laughed as they fought one another with wooden swords in the street.
Several females sat together at a pond not too far off, singing the sweetest melody as they washed clothing. Everyone was safe and at peace.
Beyond the city, sat a castle built out of white marble that glowed in the moonlight. My smile faltered. It’ll be my home soon. The freedom of my youth would become a part of my past as I prepared for my new betrothal. An arranged marriage. An archaic practice.
Most families let matches happen naturally, but in rare cases, like this, a match was forced.
I growled, the sound more like a roar, as I picked up a rock the size of my hand and hurled it over the edge into the never-ending drop below, listening to it clink against the cliff face as it fell.
I sighed, falling to my knees. My mother had said it was the highest honor to be chosen by the Queen herself.
If that were true, why did I feel I’d be starting a prison sentence tomorrow when I’m to be presented to the Prince?
Laughter in the distance drew my attention. Two figures chased and played with one another in the sky. A new match that had taken place this very night.
His emerald green wings flared, banking right just out of her reach, as her newly colored green, clawed hand was outstretched toward him.
Her strawberry-blonde hair had little pink flowers woven through that were falling out one by one as she chased the dark-haired male.
His eyes flashed the lightest brown, like teak wood, as she gave him a seductive grin, flying backward, away from him.
His fangs showed as he grinned widely, his tail whipping side to side as he took off after her.
She squealed giddily, flying higher into the clouds, the couple hidden from view.
My heart ached. Would I fly like that with the prince? Would we look at each other like that one day? I raised my arm, my coloring still gray—unmatched. How would I ever get used to the dark blue I’d be forced to change to?
I took a gasping breath as my vision cleared and I snapped back to reality.
“Evanee!” Ryker cradled me in his arms, concern etched in his features. “What happened?”
“I—I had a memory. I think.”
“What do you mean you think?”
“Because there’s no way it could be a memory.”
“Why? And speak quickly, we’re running out of time.” Urgency filled his voice.
“I’ll sound insane!” He glared at me. “Fine. I’m pretty sure I saw Gargoyles, and—and claws—on me.
I mean—that’s impossible, right?” My head throbbed as I worked through my thoughts.
I expected him to laugh like Dimitri had when I asked if I was a Werewolf.
Instead, he only studied me, jaw tight, brows creased.
“Do you think it was a real memory?” I prodded when he didn’t respond. Everything hinged on his answer.
“Yes. It’s working.” He helped me stand, then turned, rummaging in his saddlebag.