24. Evanee
Evanee
I was on all fours, retching into the wet slush on the hard, frozen ground. Aiden kneeled beside me, rubbing my back, each circle he made grating against my nerves. His voice barely penetrated the heavy thrum of blood rushing through my head.
After a final gag, I rocked back on my heels, dragging my sleeve across my mouth.
“Evanee! What happened?” Aiden demanded, grabbing my hands and hauling me to my feet. Words eluded me, shock and disbelief stacking one atop another. Prince Aiden Nightbane. My betrothed…
“Evanee, you’re shaking. Are you alright?” I barely registered his hands gripping my shoulders, my breath ragged.
“I know who you are.” The words barely made it past my lips. He froze before stepping back, hands dropping to his side.
“What do you mean?” He tried to keep his voice light. Darkness lurked underneath the facade anyway. Instinct screamed at me to stay silent—pretend this was just another unfortunate side effect of my spasms and to sneak off later as planned.
But he hadn’t told me the truth. And I had to know why.
“I remember you,” I said, voice firmer. He frowned. “What I am. And I’m pretty damn sure Malachai is the same.”
“Don’t use foul language,” he warned through gritted teeth. “Whatever you remember, it can’t be discussed here.” He turned to walk away, dismissing me yet again.
“Seriously? That’s all you have to say?” I lurched forward, grabbing his arm and wrenching him toward me. A snarl tore from him, eyes flashing in warning.
“Aiden, I’m telling you that I remember who you are. What we both are. I know that you were the prince of the Gargoyles. And I was supposed to marry you,” I whispered the last part. The reality of that sentiment had not yet sunk in.
Wild eyes snapped to mine.
“You remember… being betrothed to me?”
“Yes, I do. Vaguely.” I offered him a smile, but I didn’t feel the relief I thought I would.
Or excitement at finding out that the male I’d grown attracted to and almost slept with had been my betrothed.
Instead, something twisted low in my gut as his smile spread—slow, satisfied, and entirely unsettling.
“Now you understand why I continue to call you my Queen.”
My smile faltered—then fell altogether.
“Why have my memories been blocked? Why was I at the Fae Queen’s summer castle, as a servant?” He pursed his lips. “Why go through this charade of a journey? Why not just tell me who you are?” My foot slid back a step. “And how are you the captain of the Fae Kings’ guards?”
“To save our kind, I made choices,” he said quietly. “Sacrifices. You wouldn’t understand—”
“You’re blood oath with the King? Didn’t work out, did it? They were still annihilated. And how did I end up here, Aiden? How—”
“I didn’t know you were there, at the Queen’s.
” His fists tightened at his sides. “Once I learned of it, I informed the King of you, and he granted permission for a small group to retrieve you. Look,” he sighed, “the past is bloody and cruel. I can’t change what’s happened.
It’s a gift that Cressida locked your memories away—”
“A gift?” I scoffed. “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through these past three years? What it’s been like to be an outcast—to not even know who I was or where I came from?” Again, he looked away.
An animalistic growl rumbled deep within my chest.
“Why can’t I shift?” I demanded, my anger rising at his words as the ache in my back flared once more. How could he have worked with the Fae at all, after what happened to the Gargoyles? No—our kind?
His jaw worked, and I could see it in his eyes—he was losing patience as they cut toward me.
“Likely because of the memory curse. But even if you could, the Fae crown forbids us to shift. Those of us who survived and were allowed to stay were marked, preventing us from shifting at all.” There were more of us here…
My heart constricted at that thought, but fury flooded my veins and I settled it on Aiden.
“But you can,” I said, the accusation coming out deadly calm. It was only a guess, but the steely gaze he turned on me was answer enough. That’s how he was able to get ahead of Fletcher—how he'd snuck up on me at the beach.
“I don’t owe you an explanation. Too much has already been said. This is a very dangerous conversation to be having so close to Castle Lawryn. When we arrive tomorrow, I’ll take you to Cressida so she can reinforce her magic over your memories and the proximity. Until then—”
“What?!” I hissed, anger igniting. “You’re going to have that Witch take away the memories that have leaked through? Why?” I had to leave. I had to—
“Because this is the only way!” he snarled, fangs glinting as his lip curled. His skin flashed the darkest blue for a split second, his Gargoyle slipping through.
I didn’t flinch.
“Aiden.” His name was a growled warning as Malachai emerged from the shadows on foot.
Aiden turned from me, inhaling deeply, and roughly raked a hand through his hair.
“I need to take a walk. Don’t let her out of your sight,” he ordered.
A shiver snaked its way down my spine as his cold tone left a chill colder than the ice and snow surrounding us.
Laughter rang out, echoing against the quiet village as Lyra and Brax approached. In no mood to speak to anyone, I stomped to the edge of our camp near the tree line with my shadow a few steps behind.
I shifted from foot to foot. My back twitched, ached, and itched all at once. A scream burned in my throat as my head tipped up to the sky.
Turning to go back, I plowed right into Malachai.
“Do you have to stand so close?” A growl ripped from my chest, lip curling.
“I’m following orders.”
I snorted.
“Watch yourself,” he warned.
“Or what?” I clipped.
His eyes flashed gold—two small suns in the dark. Yet he said nothing, instead turning back toward camp where Lyra sprawled across the muddy snow, making a snow angel as she sang an off-key melody.
As I found a place close to the fire, I glared at Malachai and Aiden beneath lowered lashes as they huddled together near the horses, hurried whispers passing between them.
Their voices didn’t reach me like they had the other night, which only soured my mood further.
I didn’t want to hear them. I needed to.
Lyra, who was most definitely drunk, slumped over on the ground after another hour, snoring loudly. Brax lay against his saddle near her, a rhythmic breathing meeting my ears. Alaric had stayed at the healers with Dimitri, and Slade was on watch. So I couldn’t make a move yet.
I lay back with my arm beneath my head, staring at the clear night sky, chewing on everything I’d learned, as well as the bitter leaves.
So many questions bombarded my tired mind that I hoped would be answered.
If only the rest of my memories would release.
Which wouldn’t happen if I didn’t get out of here.
Castle Lawryn was only a day’s ride away.
If I focused on it, I could feel that invisible thread in my arm—the oath with Aniah.
Now that Aiden wanted my memories taken again, I wouldn’t be able to run.
Not without putting Aniah and Ryker in danger.
My only hope was that they'd keep their word and come to me. Quickly.
“Lyra could wake the dead with that snoring.”
My body tensed as Aiden settled on the ground next to me, stoking the fire.
“I’m not in the mood,” I bit out.
“I thought you wanted to talk?” The fire reflected in the abyss of his eyes as he looked down at me. I reluctantly pushed myself up.
“And would you give me honest answers?”
“I promise you I will, just… not here. It’s not safe. I’ll give you answers once we get to the castle.”
“The castle?! I’m not going to that fucking castle where you have Cressida waiting to wipe away what little memories I have!” My voice rose. Lyra stirred, mumbling about a pup that would be getting spanked if he continued being naughty. I shook my head, tuning her out.
His shoulders tightened, jaw working.
“Don’t talk like that, it’s crude.”
“I think it’s warranted when you want to keep my memories from me,” I grated, keeping my voice low. Sharp fangs flashed as his lip curled back.
“I have no choice. But I can promise no harm will come to you when we’re there.”
“You keep saying that, but how could you possibly make that promise? You say you didn’t even know I was at Castle Aurelia, then you show up, to what, save me?
Then you play with my emotions, knowing who and what I am the whole time.
Yet you never thought to tell me in the weeks we’ve traveled.
Never even tried. You wouldn’t even tell me anything about yourself!
How can I trust you now? When you plan on taking me within my enemies’ walls and—”
“Because the King made a blood promise with me!” he snarled, leaning so that his face was inches away. “You are mine.”
My breathing hitched. A week ago, those words may have excited me. Lit a fire within me. Now? They filled me with a fear I couldn’t name.
He leaned away, taking a calming breath, then, as if nothing had happened, offered me a partial smile.
“Lay with me closer to the fire. It’ll be a cold night.” He held his hand out.
I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around my legs tightly.
“I’m not ready to sleep,” I said, voice flat.
His brows knit together, hand outstretched for an awkward moment before he stood, gazing down at me.
“We’ll have time. Once we get to the castle… We’ll have time for you to get to know me more. With the memories… It’s better to have a clean slate anyway.”
My blood thrummed in utter outrage as he walked away, shooting daggers at his back until I met Malachai’s watchful gaze. I glowered at him, too, letting him see the bitter anger before dropping my chin on my knees. The flames flickered and danced before me, changing from blue to red to orange.
This is going to be a long night.
I jolted awake.
A fog had settled over the camp, making it difficult to see Lyra across the way, now curled up with Brax. The fire burned as mere embers beside me, eliciting a chill through my body.
Shit. I fell asleep.
Aiden wasn’t at the camp. Even as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, it was apparent he’d gone off while I slept. It only made the pit in my stomach grow to the size of a boulder.
Slade lay on a bedroll across from me, and even Malachai had slumped over to the ground from where he'd been watching me, his head resting against a tree.
A frown tugged at my brow. Something was wrong—I could taste it in the air. Metallic. The same as what I tasted at the spring. Familiar, but strange—magic? It had to be magic that made them all fall asleep. But why not me? And where was Aiden? Shadow was still here. He couldn’t be far.
The cold bit into my hands as I pushed onto my feet. Just to be safe, I pulled my coat over my mouth and nose as I tiptoed around the camp. My steps made no sound other than a squelch here and there where the mud was thickest.
The whole town was eerily quiet, covered in that unnatural fog. Luna huffed by the trees. As I moved toward her, my gaze still darted around. She bobbed her head up and down. I dropped my coat, crooning to her—
Something clamped over my mouth. My eyes widened, a scream building—Aiden—
“Shhh, it’s me.” Ryker’s deep, gritty voice wrapped around me like silk instantly, as did his scent.
He slowly pulled his clawed hand away, and I turned, craning my neck back to look into his incandescent eyes, this time silver with only specks of the usual blue.
He towered over me in this form—I loved it.
He threw his head toward the trees, holding a talon over his lips, before extending his hand to me. Nervous excitement coiled tight in my stomach, his hand dwarfing mine as he gently tugged me behind.
Every step, my nerves flared, but I took comfort in the knowledge that everyone at the camp had to have been sleeping under one of Aniah’s spells.
Ryker’s wings were tucked in tight, the shine of the bright specks dampened, as if they were helping camouflage him.
Although his white hair still gave him away.
We moved silently, careful with every step. I was mesmerized—seven feet of lethal grace, ducking beneath branches without making a single sound.
My heart pounded hard enough to make the world tilt.
A clearing came into view.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he gave a quick shake of his head, so I clamped my lips tightly together.
He held his arms out to me as his leather wings stretched wide. As did my eyes.
I shook my head no. I’m not letting you carry me through the air. I crossed my arms, hoping he understood what my face conveyed.
He only raised a brow, a smirk tugging at his mouth.
Wanna bet?
Without warning and incredible speed, he snatched me carefully into his arms, cradling me to his chest as my hands naturally wrapped around his neck, holding on for dear life, a scream lodged in my throat.
He shot into the air, swift and smooth, leaving my stomach on the ground below.
I clenched my eyes shut, burying my face in his warm, bare chest, and I could've sworn he held me tighter to him. My tattoos tingled with the growing distance, but never hurt. Even the pain in my back eased, despite the moon bathing us in her light.
Once his wings snapped, and the ascent turned into a steady glide with his wings beating at a slower pace, I dared a peek.
It took my breath away.
Everything seemed so small and insignificant from these heights.
The perilous cliffs were nothing but a short stretch of path.
A laugh escaped me at how scared I’d been while traveling through them.
We hit some clouds, and my view was obscured.
I buried my face against the heat of Ryker’s chest once more to shield from the icy wind.
At least, that’s what I told myself I was doing, as his scent enveloped me warm and heady, and for the first time in three years, I felt truly safe.