14. Chapter 14
It was like Yareli had sprouted several heads.
Erick floundered, waving his hands in the air and slapping his thighs. “You remember August?”
She was tempted to play along, but the shine in his eyes dissuaded her. She didn’t want to bring him to tears.
“No… Only sort of. I don’t remember him as much as I have a feeling that he will help me get home.”
“Right. Your memories.”
“But I must have known him, yes? Your reaction says as much.”
He cleaned up the teacups and picked up the tray. He didn’t meet her eyes when he spoke. “You did.”
A drop of excitement blossomed in her. Finally, there was someone who could answer her questions.
“Who is he? How did I know him?”
“He was a friend. You… uh, met by chance.”
She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.
“He’s on his way. You can ask him your questions.”
The smile on his face was forced; the slight twitch in his right eye gave it away. She grabbed the tray, keeping him in place.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
The truth came to her then. Erick knew her. “I knew you before Izmari, didn’t I? How?”
“We knew each other.” He scanned her face as if he were searching for something. “We were friends, but I can’t tell you anymore.”
“Why not?”
“Your mind can’t handle it. It’s fixable, but it needs to be done slowly. Forcing memories to correct themselves too fast… it’s dangerous. If I give you the answers you want, you might remember, but it might also cause a complete fracture in your mind.”
Her frustration shuttered, dimming into an ember, and she let her arms drop.
“So… I’m forced to be like this?”
Erick gave her a sad smile. “Only for a bit longer. I promise. We can get started on your treatment tomorrow. Your mind and body need to rest. More importantly, I need you to eat.” He gave her a once-over. “Come down in ten. I’ll have something ready.”
She turned away from him, rubbing her arms. It was suddenly chilly.
“Alright.”
She remained in place until the door clicked shut, and her knees buckled, having held her up when all she wanted to do was crawl under her bed and remain there until she woke up from her nightmare.
But her stomach growled, and although her headache faded with the painkiller, another threatened to start.
So, she forced herself to stand, Bri’s words echoing in her ears.
Don’t let him win.
On the first floor, the kitchen was a cozy, spacious room equipped with essentials and trinkets.
Despite the strategically placed decorations, it felt empty, like whoever owned the cabin was seldom there.
The delicious smell of hearty soup drew her attention to the counter, where a bowl, bread, and a large glass of cloudy water waited for her.
Yareli sniffed the liquid; it smelled sweet.
“It’s electrolytes.” Leo emerged from the shadows, having been hidden by a small alcove in the kitchen. He gestured at the small table he was seated at. “Take a seat.”
She considered his request. She was still miffed at his abandonment. Ultimately, her empty stomach prevailed, and she couldn’t deny that she wanted to talk to him. She sat, setting her food down. With the weight of his attention on her, she fidgeted.
“So… electrolytes, huh?” It sounded lamer out loud than it had in her head.
Leo laughed. “Erick told me. He had to run out to grab some supplies, and said I should inform you that it wasn’t poison.”
Yareli rolled her eyes. She wasn’t that paranoid. She took a bite of the soup, sighing when its warmth settled in her stomach.
“Delicious, isn’t it?”
His word choice must have been intentional, for it got her attention. She swallowed the soup down the wrong pipe and coughed. Leo moved to pat her back, and she swatted his hand away.
“What the hell?”
After her coughing subsided, she found mirth in Leo’s gaze, and she began to laugh.
“You flirt!” She smiled, and she thought about leaning over and kissing him to end their pretenses.
“I’m only guilty when it comes to you.”
Her smile grew. Consequences be damned. She wanted more from him, and as if he read it on her face, he brushed her cheek, and she leaned into its warmth, but a dark look flashed across his face, reminding her of his bereavement.
She wondered if now was a good time to broach his father and sister’s murders.
“About your family…”
Leo stiffened, his hand falling. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Yareli bit her lip, swallowing her condolences; after all, how good were words in the face of tremendous loss? Her heart clenched for him regardless.
A crash startled them, and she turned. Standing above fallen knives was the most beautiful Fae she had ever laid her eyes on.
Tall—they were always tall—and tanned, his dark hair accentuated his sculpted cheekbones.
He wore a navy blue officer’s uniform; it fit him perfectly, making him look almost regal.
When his hazel eyes locked onto hers, something twisted in her chest. His eyes swirled with emotions she couldn’t decipher fast enough.
Her pulse quickened, thundering in her ears.
She knew who he was before he introduced himself, and his name left her lips.
“August.”
His eyes flashed again, but this time it was so fleeting, she thought it might have been a trick of light.
He cleared his throat. “I apologize for interrupting. I wasn’t aware that anyone was in the kitchen.”
“When did you arrive?” Leo asked, pushing up from the table.
And although Leo was the one who responded, August’s gaze remained on her. His eyes held her captive as if she were suspended in the sky, and he was gazing upon her from below.
“Just now.”
“Well, your bedroom is all ready for you.” Leo walked to him, and the knives floated back into their respective spots in their wooden block.
August looked away then. He drew Leo into a half-hug, and Yareli watched, fascinated by the silent exchange.
They separated, and Leo glanced at her, his face unusually devoid of emotion.
What exactly had been communicated between the two?
She didn’t have time to linger on it. Leo departed the kitchen, and she was left alone with the Fae she’d been searching for.
Her pulse slowed, her breathing stopped, and the world went silent as his eyes met hers.
Here, she thought, here you are.
He was quiet, and she was reminded of an impenetrable fortress, but she wasn’t dissuaded. Words failed her. She stuttered and stumbled over them.
“Um. I’m Yareli.”
The corners of his mouth twitched up. “I’m August.”
Silence stretched between them. Not too surprising; Yareli didn’t know of any talking walls.
“I think you can help me. I don’t remember you, but there’s one thing I know for certain—you can get me home.”
“I can promise you I will.”
His tone carried a quiet conviction that loosened a knot in her stomach, and she trusted he would.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything.”
Ever since Erick had revealed that August and she had been friends, she had been toying with the question. Now, faced with the person who had all the answers, she was nervous. She inhaled. She had to know.
She bit her lip. “How did we become friends? I mean, I’m human, and you’re Fae.”
“We met by chance in college.” He didn’t elaborate further, but it was enough to break her restraint, the dam on her questions.
“Why were you there? I thought Fae couldn’t travel to the human world. And why did Tuom kidnap me?”
The temperature in the room plummeted, and the wall that had been August became a steep mountain covered in ice. Words of regret sat on the tip of her tongue. But to her surprise, he answered.
“Because of me.”
His concession stunned her.
“What do you—”
“I’m sorry.”
August blinked out of existence, leaving Yareli with more questions than answers, and a resounding ache that even Erick’s painkiller couldn’t mask.
It didn’t make any sense. If August was the reason for her damnation, why was she certain that he would be her salvation?
The only person who could answer her, however, had fled.
It soured the excitement of the reunion, and she dropped her head in her hands, running her fingers through her hair.
If her memories weren’t fucked, things would be different.
She wouldn’t be the only one out of the loop.
“No use despairing,” she muttered.
She picked up her spoon, determined to eat everything. Now that she had a doctor, she would double her efforts to fix her memories. After finishing her food, Yareli walked out of the kitchen and found everyone seated at the dining table. Her attention caught on one individual.
“Bri!” She rushed over and hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“Of course.”
“Leo told me you went to the Water Court.”
“I went to notify August and Erick. It was a last-minute adjustment.”
Yareli pulled away from Bri, giving Leo a disapproving look.
Why had he insisted on keeping Bri’s orders from her?
He gave her a shrug, and she rolled her eyes.
Fine, he could keep those secrets to himself…
for now. More important was the meeting that had obviously been occurring without her.
She scanned the rest of the table, pretending August’s presence didn’t bother her.
He seemed to be doing the same; the intensity in his gaze had died down, but his eyes never strayed far from her.
He was, to her wry amusement, like a popsicle—cold and frozen through and through.
The room was silent. Erick refused to meet her gaze.
His attention darted from one corner of the room to another.
Leo leaned back on his chair, tilting it precariously close to tipping, but Bri—she held firm.
She sent a pointed look at August. But Yareli knew he would not cave.
She directed her attack to the only person in the room who would.
“Erick, what are you talking about?” she asked.
He jumped, sporting a grimace on his face. “Come on. Don’t ask me.”
“And why not?”
“Because… Well, I’m trying to be on my best behavior, and you’re ruining it!”
“Was it about me? I deserve to know.”