Memory's Wake Omnibus: The Complete Illustrated YA Fantasy Series

by Selina Fenech

  “Providence’s magic, and Hope’s magic, is a very old form of magic,” Eloryn said. “All fae have natural traits that seem like magic- their glamour, strength, and travelling through the Veil. But they don’t have behests like humans do. Only a few fae have learned human magic. Nyneve is most famous for it, having learned the runes from Myrddin, who was her lover. But she’s gone on to teach other unseelie fae.”

  “Like her father? If anyone was capable of this kind of cruelty, I’d put money on him. He’s got them crazy eyes.” Memory wriggled her eyebrows and jiggled her eyelids. “Nyneve has always seemed pretty tame to me. A bit emo, but I can’t exactly talk.”

  “Working out what Providence wanted is the key.” Roen finished his burger and leaned forward in his chair. “She may have used Maellan blood in her rituals, but it was Thayl she wanted something from.”

  Memory shook her head. “Yes and no. Whatever she wanted from Thayl, she wanted it bad. Their deal was that she would help him kill all the Wizards’ Council, and then he would somehow repay his debt to her. But he never got his side of the bargain while there were members of the Council still alive, so she never got what she wanted in return. I think she was still trying to help him get rid of the last of the wizards. Remember those banshees in the wagon? They said they were hunting for wizards for their master, and the Council said that other unseelie fae were also hunting for them.”

  Memory stared down at the woven rug she sat on, seeing a small spray of blood there from Will and Dylan’s fight. She shivered. “Hope first showed up right after Thayl died. She kept pushing me to become queen through any means possible. Kept saying she would help me if I owed her. That’s what makes me think Hope and Providence are the same. The one thing they both were pushing for was to get a human ruler, with iron magic, into their debt. Providence needed Thayl for something but when he died she turned to me as a backup. Whether or not that has anything to do with all Maellan or not is unknown, but I can’t help feeling it does. It’s a crazy idea, but I just keep going back to it like it’s a bad boyfriend.”

  Clara had turned white. “The more powerful fae can glamour themselves to look however they wish, so Providence could be anyone.”

  “Do we think she’ll try again?” Roen asked. “In a different form, or maybe a different target?”

  “No idea,” Memory said. “I’m just a hunter lost in the wilds of speculation. But we have some leads. Some creepy, gangly fae attacked Dylan and me out in town one night. It was one of the ones stealing people, and it sounded like he was connected to Providence. I’ve already got Peirs keeping a watch out for any more of them.”

  Will frowned, and Memory wasn’t sure if it was at the mention of her being attacked, or of her being out with Dylan. “I could ask Mina. Fairies gossip,” he said, simply.

  Memory nodded reluctantly and got to her feet. “Any lead is worth looking into. There may be fairy intel that could help that humans aren’t hearing. And speaking of our fluttery friends, I want all of us to start carrying iron, just in case.”

  “We can’t,” Eloryn said. “Even if we had your knife, that’s all the iron there is.”

  “Oh, dear sister, have I got a surprise for you.” Memory reached down and helped Eloryn up. “We’ve got somewhere to go. I want my knife back, especially now I can’t use magic. I want it for protection and don’t care what anyone thinks.”

  Roen stood quickly as well. “Mem, you still look tired. How about I take Eloryn? I know the way.”

  Memory pouted, wanting to give Eloryn the big reveal herself, but even the idea of walking all the way down into the cavernous depths and back left her feeling exhausted. “Fine. I absolutely trust you are doing this to let me rest and not to take my sister off into a dark and isolated area.”

  Roen just shrugged. “It appears that my deception skills are getting sloppy through misuse.”

  Eloryn blushed from head to toe.

  Chapter Four

  In the old servant runs, Roen smirked as he pushed a section of stone wall and it swung open to reveal a long tunnel, winding off into the darkness.

  Cool air that tasted of mossy stone met Eloryn’s tongue as she caught her breath. She thought she knew everything there was to know about Caermaellan castle. She was clearly mistaken. “I can’t believe you and Memory kept this secret from me. This is of tremendous historical and societal importance. We should have been trying to discover where all the iron down there originated.”

  Roen shrugged, causing a lock of caramel brown hair to fall in front of his eyes. He pushed it away. “I bade Memory tell you. I think she was too worried about Hayes taking control of it at the time.”

  Eloryn sighed. “I suppose she was right there. What a fool I was.”

  Roen put his hand against Eloryn’s cheek. “Do not think that. You are trusting and kind in the most beautiful way. If others misuse that, it is their offence, not yours.”

  Eloryn shivered as Roen turned away and lit the oil lamp he carried.

  Roen had retrieved a lamp from his room while he explained to Eloryn where they were going. She understood why the lamp was required. She wouldn’t be able to summon a wisp with a behest around so much iron. The living energy of the fae creature would refuse the behest. But she could still magically enhance the flame of the oil lamp, and they travelled down the ancient stone stairs in brightly lit comfort. Dripping water in the distance kept a steady rhythm and the temperature dropped as they descended. The carved tunnel was narrow and steps slippery from a slick coating of mud, and Eloryn kept bumping against Roen as he walked beside her. The warmth of his body seemed contagious, and whenever she felt it, a flush of warmth spread through her as well. Roen slowed to help her down a steep section where a step had crumbled away and she brushed against him with half her body.

  Roen let out a breathy groan. “Are you trying to drive me crazy on purpose?”

  His tone was playful, but Eloryn could only blush and shake her head. “I’m sorry.”

  Roen frowned. “Don’t be. I’m sorry. It’s not proper for me to voice my desires so. It’s just… to have you so near, knowing you feel for me how I do for you, it’s all I can do not to take you and hold you and do all sorts of delicious things with you.” Roen bit his bottom lip and his smile returned.

  Eloryn didn’t think she could blush any harder, but she did. Her body turned to fire just wondering what delicious things Roen could mean. She didn’t know what they were, but she knew she wanted them, and wanted him. She also couldn’t help but wonder whether there had been other women in the past that he’d done such things with.

  “You know I’ve never…” Eloryn began, but choked up. When her words returned, they came at rambling speed. “My first kiss was yours, and I know little else of love apart from the simple romance in fairytales and one archaic text book on anatomy and reproduction. I fear that love may be an area in which you are more knowledgeable than I.”

  “Whatever experiences I’ve had, they weren’t of love. You are my first experience of love.” Roen took both her hands in one of his, and the warm light of the lamp he held beside them seemed to make them glow. “I don’t expect you to act at all outside of your comfort, or of society’s standards. I would never think to pressure you further. I simply want you to understand how desirable I find you. How strong, and brave, and kind you are.”

  Eloryn wanted Roen to kiss her then. She wanted it with every nerve in her body. But he only stood and looked at her with an expression that filled her with love. He was being so patient, so gentle with her. She knew he would wait for her as long as needed, and it was up to her to take the next step.

  Her voice seemed very small when she asked, “May I try something?”

  Roen tilted his head, confused, but nodded.

  Pushing herself up on her tippy-toes, Eloryn very slowly placed her lips against Roen’s, a soft brush against his skin. Her eyelids fluttered and she lowered herself back down, smiling widely. Light headed with emotions and pride,
her foot slipped on the step and she wobbled backwards.

  Roen caught her around the waist with one arm and the lamp clattered against the wall beside them. They gasped together, as though the movement had sucked the air from both their bodies, and time slowed as the sound of the lamp hitting stone echoed through the stairwell.

  Then Eloryn brought her mouth to Roen’s again, her fingers running up his neck. His arm tightened around her, bringing her chest toward his, pressing them together. Their footing slipped again and they stumbled together down the stairs, ricocheting from one wall to the other, trying to stay on their feet, tangled in each other’s arms, unwilling to let go. Eloryn’s lips burned delightfully every time they met Roen’s. Her hands sought his golden hair, his shoulders and muscles on his chest. Desire left her head spinning and when the stairs finally flattened onto a pebbly floor she felt just as dizzy. The two remained entwined, stumbling, gasping, until the both of them tumbled into the icy water of the underground lake.

  Will had waited while Memory cleaned herself up and changed into the rust-red gown she often wore, the first dress he’d ever seen her wear. When she returned, she put her head down on a cushion on the floor beside him. She said she’d just rest her eyes for a moment while they waited for Roen and Eloryn, then promptly fell asleep. Clara cleared up the food and left, and Will remained sitting beside Memory.

  A strand of her purple hair fell across her face and Will reached over to push it back behind her ear, then hesitated.

  First rule - No touching.

  He took a deep breath, then allowed his fingers to meet her flesh. The old rules were no more. Her skin was soft and warm as he brushed the hair off her cheek. His Hope had changed so much, and he knew shedding the old rules meant she had grown so much stronger. He was happy for her, but there were other rules he still lived by that left a deep sadness in him.

  Memory said it was time to start breaking rules, and he agreed. No matter his situation with the fae, Memory was more important. He would no longer sneak in what time he could with her. He would outright defy Mina if he had to. Only, he didn’t know how effective that would be. Denying Mina something only made her want it more. He considered keeping away from her amongst the iron in the secret cavern, but he wanted to be with Memory, not hiding underground. And he couldn’t explain to Memory either. Not now, not yet. Memory had enough to deal with right now. And despite how he felt about his relationship to Mina, he still felt an obligation toward her. She had saved his life.

  When he first arrived in Avall as a small boy, Will didn’t know how long it had been before he first met Mina. He only knew he was starving to death and lost in an endless forest. He’d eaten berries despite knowing they could be poisonous. He’d even eaten grubs and insects he found, desperate for any sustenance. But it wasn’t enough. He’d never been a strong child and he quickly grew weak, too weak to keep going. He had curled up on the leafy forest floor, unable to do anything but cling to the last scraps of life.

  When Mina first appeared, he thought he had died and Mina was an angel. She was so beautiful his face ran with tears and his weak body crumpled at the sight.

  “Little boy,” she said, and the jingle of tiny bells seemed to carry after her words. “Are you hungry?”

  Will tried to speak but couldn’t. He barely managed to nod.

  The beautiful creature reached out her cupped hands and a plump and luscious fruit appeared cradled there. Shaped like a pear and twice as large, it was a soft pink with a purple blush on one side. “Take it,” she said, smiling.

  He did without hesitation, biting in. Juice ran down his chin and strength, hunger and desire burst inside him. He tore into the fruit, consuming the whole thing in seconds. When he was done, the woman held another one for him, and giggled.

  “My sweet pet,” she sang, and twirled around him, dancing as he ate. She had delicate, tattered wings which trailed a stream of glittery light behind them.

  Will ate and ate. Mina sang and smiled. He thought he’d received a miracle. He thought he was saved. He had no idea what had just happened. His life had become the property of the fairy before him.

  “My little boy. Who saved you when you were too lost and hungry to survive?”

  “You did,” he said, grinning a juicy grin at his savior.

  “Who will show you wonders greater than you could ever imagine?”

  Will knew of fairies and magic from storybooks. He knew now what the woman before him was. “You.”

  “Who is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”

  “You are.” He knew it was true.

  “Who do you love above all else, even your short mortal life?”

  He hesitated, and Mina scowled. A deep fear of realization and regret filled him then. He was so far from home, so far from anything he knew, so far from the only family he had left, the one girl he would wait for forever. He would do whatever he had to do to stay alive and stay strong while he waited.

  “You. I will love you.”

  The fairy smiled again, and Will swore a promise to himself that no matter what wonders he was shown, no matter where this creature took him, he would never forget Hope.

  Beside him, Memory shuddered in her sleep and her eyes snapped open. Back in the group home she often had nightmares. She would always deny it, but Will knew it from the haunted look in her eyes. He had his own nightmares, of being trapped under rubble, so he knew that look well. He wondered which of many terrors tormented her dreams then. But when she looked up at him, she smiled. He smiled back down at her.

  Roen and Eloryn returned then, looking as wet as they looked embarrassed.

  “You two miss a step?” Memory said. She sat up, leaning against Will’s shoulder.

  Roen looked at Eloryn and chuckled. Eloryn looked mortified and excused herself to change into a dry gown in her room next door.

  Memory grinned at Will. “Cough-cold-shower-cough.”

  Roen sat down and emptied his pockets onto the ground between the three of them. He handed Memory her flick knife and took a small dagger for himself as well.

  “We tried to pick small things that we can always carry with us, concealed. El already has the arrowhead with her,” he said. That left two items, a small hooked tool and a large button, one for Will and one for Clara.

  Will shook his head. “I can’t take one. Not if I’m trying to get info from Mina.”

  “I’ll keep it for you for later.” Memory nodded and picked up the hooked tool, slipping it into her bodice with her knife.

  She picked up the button as well.

  Clara rushed in through the door then.

  Memory flicked the button across to her. “Good timing, this one’s for you.”

  Clara caught it in almost a daze and clasped it in her hands. She frowned deeply. “There’s news,” she stuttered. “News from Hayes. He’s still demanding to marry Eloryn.”

  Memory and Roen frowned at each other and got to their feet. The doorway between Memory and Eloryn’s chambers clicked closed and Eloryn stood there, neatly dressed in a simple lace gown, her face almost as white as the fabric.

  Chapter Five

  “What do you mean he has the legal right? He’s a scum-sucking criminal!” Memory paced up and down the long table in the Round Room.

  Bedevere’s expression remained stoic. “It is also legally within your rights to have Hayes executed for those crimes of treason, which would solve the matter.”

  Memory cringed visibly. “No more death. I don’t want that to be the way I deal with problems. When something tough comes up, it’s not right, just snuffing out a life so the issue disappears. We’ll find another way.”

  Eloryn nodded, backing up her sister. It felt important that she support Memory’s decisions as queen, since it was her actions that made Memory queen. And her actions that brought her now to this ordeal. Eloryn sat still in the center seat, with Roen on one side and Bedevere, Lanval and Roen’s parents seated around them. She put her hands on the
table and it felt so flimsy. She really had to get to work on repairing the table that belonged in this room, the true round table that had been there since Arthur’s time. Memory would be able to pace much more effectively around the circle it formed than up and down this straight edge.

  Curious, the things one ponders of at times like these. Eloryn wondered if she was in shock, or simply in denial. As soon as Clara shared the news, Eloryn realized what a fool she’d been. Her contract of marriage with Hayes had foiled his plans to become king, and had revealed the crimes he’d committed. She thought she’d won then. She didn’t consider that the contract still stood, or that he would take advantage of that. She should have known better. Hayes was the type to take any advantage he could.

  He looked far too pleased with himself as he was marched into the meeting by the bailiff and two other guards. Eloryn recognized the shackles as the same that Thayl had used, that block magic on the wearer.

  Roen’s hand rested on the table beside her and she moved hers closer, so that their little fingers touched, seeking that smallest comfort. He locked gazes with hers and she took strength from him.

  Hayes stood before the group and smiled at Eloryn in a way that crinkled his hooked nose. The spite within the expression made Eloryn’s stomach churn.

  He bowed a shallow and mocking bow. “My dear soon-to-be wife.”

  Eloryn stared back at him, keeping her voice and gaze level. “You are doing this only to punish me. Why must you be so cruel?”

  “Oh, not only to punish you. It’s your little trick that has turned to bite you. You may not let me be king, but I can still hope that your wild sister never bears an heir, and that one of our many, many children will come to rule.”

  Memory choked. “I just threw up in my mouth a little.”

  She stood right beside Hayes, although he completely ignored her. All his attention and venom was focused on Eloryn. Something wild and desperate filled him now, something darker than the simple greed he had within him before. Eloryn wished she never had to take an action again that would create such an enemy to her. The feeling that this man could have so much hatred for her left her drained to her core.