But he knew he had to make an effort to fit into this new life, for Memory. And he wanted to for himself as well. Deep inside, he knew it wasn’t long ago he’d all but given up on his own life. He was Mina’s and lost all hope that the girl he waited for would ever come back to him. But now she had, now Memory was in his life again, he wanted to take his life back, to make his own decisions again and see where that life could take him.
And while ever he still carried iron, Mina wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
Memory walked out of the Round Room then and smiled at him, and his heart’s rhythm sped. Her rich purple hair was so at odds with the misty green formal gown she wore, but she looked so confident that it worked for her. In the past, her hair color and piercings always seemed to be a mask to hide behind. Now, she owned them. She was herself, and also someone new, someone better.
Memory bumped her shoulder against his as he stepped into place beside her and they continued with Eloryn and Roen down to the ball downstairs.
“How did it go?” Will asked.
“We all made it out of the room alive, so I’d call it a success,” Memory said.
A herald announced the entrance of the queen, princess, and their partners as they reached the grand ballroom, and Will tensed as the crowd paused to stare at them and applaud. Clara had helped him dress as formally as any of the other human men out in the room, but it didn’t help. If anything, the layers of shirt, overcoat, jacket and silky scarf left him feeling breathless, strangled.
Memory glanced at him. With a clearly fake yawn, she gestured to some seating in the corner, partially obscured by a draping curtain. “Want to sit down with me for a while? I’m exhausted from the fury hamster in my chest.”
Will crooked an eyebrow.
Memory gestured to her chest, her hand going round and round. “Like my insides are an insane angry rodent, running like crazy on its wheel of fury all day. So let’s grab a seat.”
Will glanced out at the crowd again, then nodded, his mouth gone dry. So much for taking my life back. A room full of people and I feel like running away. He followed Memory around the edges of the busy room, and noticed she kept looking back at him, checking he was okay. By the time they sat down he was smiling again.
Memory kicked her crystal encrusted slippers off and put her feet up on a chair. She wriggled toes covered in sheer lace stocking and slouched against the backrest.
Eloryn and Roen had gone together straight out onto the dance floor and were already spinning joyfully between the other dancers. Wide hooped skirts gusted and twirled to the rhythm of the chamber orchestra. In between the humans in their suits and silk gowns, sprites and other fae creatures did their own, less structured dances. Most were seelie fae. While the unseelie had been openly invited, few seemed to accept the invitation, although Memory did identify one banshee in the mix. Tiny pixies flittered above the crowd, creating streaks of light and glitter in their path. A group of sprites at human size danced together in a ring in the center of the room, shimmering like fireworks.
Memory watched Eloryn and Roen dancing with a deep, wistful expression. Will almost asked her if she’d like to dance, but panic rose in him again, followed by a deep self-loathing that he was too scared to be the fun and sociable partner Memory deserved.
The fae royalty had already arrived and been announced into the gathering, and Will watched as they took their seats on a raised side section, reserved for royalty, above the general crowd.
The party-goers who were not dancing were cooing and fawning over the children serving food at the event. Memory and Clara had arranged for Maeve and the orphans to learn how to waiter the event, as another chance to build some bridge between the nobles and the poor of Avall. Mostly the party guests just seemed to think the little outfits the children wore were cute.
“Look at him,” Memory said in a whisper just loud enough for Will to hear over the noise of the ball. She flicked her chin across the room at Finvarra, currently being served by the two redheaded orphan girls, Isa and her sister. “He’s looking at them like they are the food.”
While watching, someone else caught Will’s eye. He frowned. Mina stood across the way, just standing, glaring, and fuming at him.
He felt for the small iron tool he carried in his coat’s breast pocket, reassuring himself it was still there. Regardless, he doubted Mina would act out in a setting like this. The very fact she couldn’t seemed to be making her even angrier.
When Memory leaned across from her chair and put a hand on Will’s knee, laughing at a young man trying to hit on Clara, Mina stomped a foot and took a few steps toward him.
The midnight haired daughter of the unseelie king, Nyneve, interrupted Mina’s path. They seemed to exchange a few words, and with one last look at Will, Mina followed Nyneve away.
Memory was giving two thumbs up and a lewd grin to Clara across the room. She turned back to Will, gasping with laughter.
“Hey, do you want to…” Memory paused, a slight frown over her smile. She glanced at the dance floor, then again at Will. “You want to get out of here?”
Will bowed his head. “Yeah.”
Will and Memory talked long into the night, reminiscing and laughing at how strange it was that Memory now recalled their past more clearly than Will did. They dragged cushions and blankets out onto Memory’s balcony and sat there together, wrapped up in a huddle, watching the stars and a new, light fall of snow, until they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Memory woke up in her bed the next morning. Inside her chest the fire of the stored magic still burned as usual, and a warm happiness sat beside it.
Looking around, she wondered where Will had gone. Since raiding Finvarra’s lair, Will had been nearly constantly by her side. It felt like that was how it should be, and even though she couldn’t see him now, Memory was confident that Will would be close by.
Smiling, Memory climbed out of bed, greeting Clara who had come to help her prepare for the day. She was meant to be meeting Eloryn, Roen, Maeve, and a handful of other people their age who stayed at the palace, for a brunch in the palace gardens. It had been Eloryn’s idea, in order to make some new friendships, to normalize their lives a little. Memory had invited Will, but he seemed reluctant. It was clear he still had trouble being in crowded situations, which made Memory sad for him, but she knew he would need time to adjust to the changes in his life. She was happy to give him as much time as he needed. He had waited so long for her, after all.
Memory dressed in one of her new outfits, which were much faster to get on without help than the gowns in her wardrobe. The tailor had managed to create a new pair of jeans for her, although the denim wasn’t really denim, but rather a soft canvas dyed gray-blue. She pulled them on. Over a collared cream shirt, she clipped a royal purple and cream striped corset closed then sat down to put on a little make up.
“Have you seen Will this morning?” Memory asked Clara.
Clara worked on brushing Memory’s hair and pinning it into a braided up do. She had bobby pins between her teeth as she said, “He’s already out in the grounds with the others.”
Memory jerked her head in surprise and Clara scolded her, taking out a few pins and redoing the section again.
“Will? My Will?” Memory asked.
“Yes, your Will.” Looking above her head in the dressing table mirror, Memory could see Clara smirking.
Memory tried to stand up, and Clara pushed her back onto the seat.
“Is my hair done?” Memory asked.
“Almost. What’s the hurry? You’re the one who slept in. Overcome with a sudden jealousy that your Will might be interacting with other people?” Clara was downright grinning now.
“No, just…” Just what? Worried? Proud? Or Jealous? Memory wasn’t sure. She just knew she wanted to be there with Will. “Can I go?”
Memory stood up as Clara tried to hold her head still to slide in one last pin. “All done.”
“Ouch,” Memory gr
unted, then placed a quick kiss on Clara’s cheek. “Thanks, Clara.”
Memory was already dashing out of the room as Clara giggled. “You’re welcome.”
Pulse tapping in her throat, Memory ran all the way through the palace. Breathless, she dashed out into the private grounds at the back of the castle, near the hedge maze. The air was chilled and dry and made her throat ache. The sky was clear blue, and a light fall of snow remained from the night before, making topiary hedges and shrubs look like cakes dusted in icing.
On the large area of mosaic pebble paving, a long table had been brought out and spread with tiered food stands. A dozen people sat around it, including Eloryn. Maeve was standing aside with Erec who seemed to be on guard duty, but paying more attention to her. Memory also recognized Laudine and another girl from the finishing school.
They all watched a fast, dangerous looking swordfight taking place between Roen and Will. Everyone smiled and clapped when one of the two fighters made an impressive move.
Boys, Memory thought.
Will hadn’t noticed her yet, and she watched quietly from the side of the yard.
A small hollowness of jealousy opened in Memory. She didn’t want or expect it, but seeing Will interacting with other people so openly brought it anyway. He had been something that was hers, just hers, and that was changing. Only a moment after, happiness filled that space, flowing into her like taking a deep breath. It rushed inside her with the realization that Will had stopped being hers, and started being his. Seeing him adjusting to his new life, embracing his new life, made Memory swallow back a happy sob.
Will had Roen on his toes. They each had a fencing sword, and Will mimicked the formal style Roen used, but his height and reach had him at an advantage. One or two times Roen made a show of shaking out his sword hand after a particularly strong blow from Will clattered their blades.
Then with a wicked grin, Roen stepped up his performance. He smiled like he’d been so clever to trick Will into thinking he had an easy win, until Will flicked out his other hand and the small hooked tool he held in it, and with one twist, disarmed Roen and left him knocked flat on his back in a flurry of snow.
Memory was running again. She ran so she didn’t have time to hold herself back.
Will saw her coming only a second before she jumped up into his arms. She pressed her lips against his, her hands threading their way into the wild hair she loved so much.
Memory heard the dull thunk-thunk of Will’s two weapons fall on the ground behind them as Will brought his arms up around her and pulled her close to him. A low growl came from the back of his throat and he kissed her back, lips pressing hard on hers.
A round of polite applause from the bystanders brought Memory back to reality. She dropped down with a bashful smile and rose-flushed cheeks.
Memory giggled at their audience, then smiled up at Will.
He still had his eyes closed, smiling and panting deep breaths.
When he opened his eyes and looked at her, again it was as if they were the only people there. His lips shivered a little as he said, “I wanted to dance with you at the ball. I should have but I was scared. I don’t want to be scared anymore. For you, and for me, I don’t want to be scared to live my life. And I want to live my life with you. Whatever the rules, whatever might happen, I don’t ever want to be apart from you again.”
“Worlds couldn’t keep us apart,” Memory replied. “Tried and failed already.”
Will laughed.
Memory turned and noticed the sword and Will’s iron hook lying on the pavement a few paces behind them. She moved back to pick them up for him.
Only one step away, a rush of air filled the space between Memory and Will. In a burst of whipping winds and the ember filled gray smoke of the Veil, Mina appeared.
Her eyes were wide and gleaming as they looked down at Memory, frozen in shock there where she bent to pick up the weapons.
Will has no iron on him. Memory’s heart pounded. He has no protection.
Mina’s hair whipped around her as though she were caught in gale force winds. “No! You cannot have him. He is mine. He ate food from my hands. I saved him and his life is the debt he owes to me. I own him and will keep him far from you forever!”
Memory grabbed up the iron hook near her fingertips and swung it back at Mina.
But she was already gone.
And so was Will.
Chapter Fourteen
Memory’s knees hit the ground.
Eloryn, Roen, Maeve, and Erec were all standing around her. She wasn’t sure when they had come over. Had they tried to stop Mina too? They were all too slow.
Will is gone.
Everyone was talking but Memory couldn’t hear. A dense humming filled her head and her magic boiled, ready to explode. Eloryn put an arm around her shoulder.
Memory realized she was holding her breath and gasped air in. It struck like a knife in her chest and she bit back a cry. The world came back into focus.
Her voice came out as a harsh whisper. “I was wrong before.”
Will.
Her hands formed fists, pressed against the crushed grass. “This is what having your soul broken feels like.”
“Oh, Mem,” Eloryn said.
Clenching her teeth, Memory took a deep breath and stood up. “I’m going to get him back.”
Erec watched her for a moment, then hurried away. The other guests at their brunch were standing back, faces white and fearful. The iron awl hook that had been Will’s protection was still held in Memory’s hand, her fingers rigid around it.
“She must have been watching, waiting for a chance to get to him,” Memory said. “The minute he didn’t have iron on him... How could she even do that? It can’t be allowed. She said she owned him. She doesn’t own him. No one owns him.”
“I’m so sorry,” Eloryn said. “But she could own him. Under fae law, if she saved his life, if he ate fairy food, she could own him. Everyone in Avall knows to be careful not to lose themselves to the fae like that, but coming from your world, he would have been easy for Mina to claim.”
“You’re telling me this now?” Memory grunted.
Eloryn looked at the ground. “I didn’t know. All I know are fairytales of humans being claimed, stories parents tell at night to stop children going near the fae. Or stories of those who go willingly, like Lugh. Will seemed to have so much freedom, living in the forests in Avall. In the fairytales, the fae always steal the child away to Tearnan Ogh, the fairy realm.”
Memory’s face ached with unspent tears, tears she refused to shed until Will was back by her side again. She looked up at her sister. “No. That’s not it. You didn’t doubt what was happening, you just didn’t think I could cope with knowing.”
“I…” Eloryn stuttered then looked at her feet. “I’m sorry.”
Memory couldn’t blame her. She wished her friends, her family, would trust her more. She felt she’d showed them time and again that she could be strong. But she’d also shown them how very weak she could be. They’d seen her at her darkest and she knew it would take a long time to gain their confidence again.
I will show them how strong I can be.
After a deep breath, Memory said, “Tearnan Ogh… Is that where Mina has taken Will now?”
“That would be my guess,” Eloryn said.
Memory saw Erec return. He’d brought Bedevere back with him.
Memory eyed them. “You’re worried I’m going to run off and do something cuckoo banana pants, aren’t you?”
“Well, I wouldn’t necessarily use the term cuckoo banana pants…” Bedevere said in his dry voice.
Memory forced another deep breath into her tight chest that seemed to have forgotten how to breathe on its own. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to be that girl. I’m not going to dump everything else in the world for one person, for a boy, for… love.”
Bedevere just bowed his head, waiting.
“What do we need to do, to make sure everything
is in order here in Avall? I can’t leave Avall in chaos again, so that’s our first job, to do everything we must to make sure it won’t be. I want things stable here in case I’m gone for a while.”
“Your Majesty, if you travel to Tearnan Ogh to recover Sir Will, you may not come back at all,” Bedevere said.
Memory held up a hand. “I’m getting Will, and we’re coming back. That’s happening. I need you to help me make sure everything is set right here before I go. Can you do that for me?”
Bedevere simply nodded.
“Then let’s get started.” Memory marched back toward the castle, and everyone fell in line behind her.
“Mem, stop and think about what you’re saying,” Eloryn protested. “I know you want Will back, we all do, but going into the fae lands is beyond dangerous, it’s…”
“Stupid?” Memory asked.
“Suicidal,” Eloryn finished, her tone cold.
“We’ve dealt with nasty fae tactics before.”
Eloryn’s chin tensed and she grabbed Memory by the arm. “Travelling into the fae realm is entirely different to dealing with the fae within Avall. It is one hundred percent their territory. One false move and a human can be Branded, but has no power to Brand in return. You would be vulnerable to their every whim and trick. Humans simply do not travel into the fae realm unless they are taken by the fae. Even royalty and dignitaries are not safe. That’s why all official meetings between our races are held here in Avall.”
Memory pulled her arm free and continued up the stairs into the palace. “I’m not leaving Will as a prisoner to that crazy sprite.”
“Then we will go with you.”
Memory stopped her march. “You just told me it was suicidal. Why the hell would I let you come with me?”
Eloryn stopped too, eye to eye with her sister. “Because if you don’t I won’t tell you how to get into Tearnan Ogh.”
Memory matched her sister’s look. “Bedevere will tell me.”
Eloryn held a hand up to the wizard but held her sister’s gaze. “Don’t you even dare.”
Memory's Wake Omnibus: The Complete Illustrated YA Fantasy Series Page 63
