She doesn’t remember you anymore, I reminded myself.
I coughed lightly, letting her know I was there. She didn’t move. I walked up beside her and looked up at the sky with her, admiring the glimmering stars against the black blanket that often lay spread around the Unseelie Court. It was surprising the moon and stars could even be seen through the gloomy layer. I sensed that something was different between us. That our energies weren’t quite connecting very well…
“You’ve been crying, my Queen,” I stated gently.
“It’s a lot to deal with…” she whispered, and I sensed she’d glanced at me, “Why do I feel like I know you?”
“I’m surprised you don’t remember,” I said carefully, “It seems as if…you’ve been stolen off of your memories.”
She gasped and looked at me, eyes wide and glittering with hope. She turned to me and put a gentle hand on my arm. I’d missed her touch so much. “Do you know me?” she said softly.
“For a very long time,” I smiled at her, “I’m aware that you’ve been…troubled with a dilemma which is why I can’t reveal everything at once. I wouldn’t want to cause you any more damage than what’s already been inflicted on you.”
“Cornelius,” she addressed me firmly, “when you danced with me, I understood this talk isn’t exactly what you came for. Why are you here?”
“To see you,” I sighed, and it was almost painful, “How much do you remember?”
“Nothing at all,” Martha shook her head, “I believe you have the answers. Sylius won’t tell me anything. He hasn’t even tried jogging my memory. It’s as if it doesn’t matter to him if I recall anything or not and…I feel trapped and lost. I just know I don’t belong here.”
“Then would you like me to try and help you?” I chose my words anxiously, “I know things about you that even Sylius doesn’t. You told me everything about your past life. And there are so many people back home that miss you and care for you.”
Martha stood silently and her eyes gazed over the garden.
“Could I come back here?”
My breath hitched and I froze, unsure of what she was thinking. I had not prepared for this question. Why would she want to come back? The Unseelie Court was no place for someone like her.
“Is there a reason you would like to?”
“The people here,” she looked at me desperately, “they need someone to bring justice to them. I’m not sure of how much influence I’ll have as Sylius’s queen, but I need to try and set things right for these people, Cornelius. They’re hurt and suffering. Their king is too selfish to look past the surface, and only craves more power. These people have been enslaved against their will and…I need to set them free.”
I looked down at her, heart bursting in admiration. I could not care less about how she still considered marrying Sylius, her heart was set in the right place. My hand unconsciously moved towards her face, my finger delicately moving away a stray lock of hair from her forehead.
“What if I told you that you were much more powerful than Sylius?” I said softly, but determined. Martha looked at me, confused.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean exactly what I say, Martha,” I took her hand, “I wish I could give you all the answers you seek right now. There is a life beyond this. You’re destined for more and only very few people know the truth about you. And I could show you, but only if you’re willing to go with me towards that path. You could liberate the Unseelie Court and help them all. Sylius will no longer be able to silence you.”
Tears pooled into her eyes as her lips quivered. She looked towards the door. We could still hear Aria and Sylius arguing, but it did seem that the Dark King had calmed down quite considerably.
“You know…Sylius isn’t all that bad, I guess,” she said, “Just misguided.”
My heart sunk, and I prayed to whatever God was up there to not confirm my worst fears.
“Do you feel for him?”
“No, no,” she shook her head in a rush, “I just think he’s very misguided. Deep down, I know there is someone who does care about the people he wants to care for. He had dresses with these gems made for me specifically because he kept thinking of how I looked in the moonlight, you know? He was very gentle tonight. I don’t think him and I are compatible but…I think there is still some goodness in him worth saving.”
I tried to hold back any objection to it. I couldn’t risk offending her by invalidating her feelings. She needed to come with me for now, and I could talk her out of saving that wretched bastard later. She had too much goodness in her heart to see the truth about him. I knew I wouldn’t have to do much to convince her on it once her memories returned.
“I think we can try our best,” I lied through my teeth, “You can save everyone that is possible to save. If you could see even an ounce of light in someone like Sylius then there is hope.”
“You think so?” she looked at me hopefully, and I had to turn my eyes to the moon so she could not spot the anguish in them. How well had Sylius managed manipulated her? She truly believed there was goodness in him just because he got her a dress? But I couldn’t be angry at Martha. I knew her memories were important to shaping her personality. Martha’s experiences had not made her unkind, but she did become wary and cunning after years of being a woman of pleasure. Now, her pure and naïve nature had surfaced in the absence of those memories. It was hard to imagine someone like this had managed to run away from a far and become a pleasure woman. I could not bear to think of how many times she got hurt before she finally learned to read people and take charge of the situation in the room.
Martha’s life was difficult before that moment and I wondered if there was a way she could remember everything without the pain of it all coming back. But she needed to remember. Not just for our love, but also for both the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. If I’d only had good faith in her nature when Gabriella tricked me into believing Martha had stolen the amulet…perhaps we would not be here. She would not feel the need to put herself in the dangerous position of a spy for us. I was the one who ruined us. I discarded our relationship like it was nothing.
This was my punishment.
“The Martha I knew, the one who had her memories, always found her way around the toughest laws of magic to find the path she wanted,” I reminisced with a small smile, “You did it several times. I really don’t think there is anything getting in the way of what you want if you’re truly determined.”
“Then take me with you,” she said with such determination that it made my skin shiver, “I can’t get married to Sylius right now like this. Remind me of who I am, if you know me.”
I opened my mouth to suggest we leave the palace discreetly, but there came more yells from the inside, accompanied by the scream of a female. My blood ran cold and Martha looked at me in anguish. We both were hoping for the worst. Running towards the balcony doors, we pushed and threw ourselves inside. I drew my sword immediately to intercept any attacks thrown our way.
They’d caught Gabriella!
“Unhand me immediately you disgusting, sly arse!”
“What happened?” Aria demanded and drew her sword, “Unhand her, now!”
“She’s from the Seelie Court,” the guard announced and threw Gabriella towards Sylius who was previously seated on the stairs with a hand to his head. He looked at Gabriella and rose slowly, looking at her with anger and disdain.
“Don’t tell me…” he breathed through his teeth and looked at his guards, “There must be more to this. She wouldn’t be here on her own.”
“Gabriella?” Aria gasped and looked at the red-haired Fae. It should have occurred to me that Aria possibly knew her. Gabriella worked for the witches at one point, after all, “Sylius, bring her no harm. I know her.”
“Guards!” Sylius called out and they two men behind Gabriella pulled their swords out, kicking her back and sending her sprawling.
“Sylius!” Aria screamed, but the Dark King drew his swo
rd and pointed the tip at the fallen Fae’s face, lifting her chin. I had to fight the urge to move in and attack Sylius, but I could not risk blowing my cover now. I needed to keep Martha hidden behind me. If Sylius’s eyes fell on her, he could entrap her again.
“Martha,” I whispered to her, “you need to hide. Leave the castle grounds as quietly as you can.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Yes, but I must help my companion. She’s rescued you once from here a long time ago, and even helped you free innocent inmates from the mines. Now, go!”
Martha breathed heavily, but backed away into the balcony. I was glad she had decided to trust me in this moment. I heard her dress shuffle as she climbed over the ledge and dropped into the garden. I hoped that Oran knew of Gabriella’s capture and positioned himself to intercept Martha at the very least.
“Tell me, Fae,” Sylius spat, “Who brought you here? You couldn’t have crossed over without help.”
I realised Sylius was tipsy enough to not think straight. The sight of Gabriella should have been enough to tip him off on a possible rescue for Martha. I looked at Aria helplessly, and she looked just as distraught. One wrong move and Gabriella could be dead.
“The witches,” she sneered at him, “have sent me to give you a message.”
Sylius’s mouth twitched as a vein pulsed in his forehead, “I have no more trust in them for their double-crossing schemes. All they want is war to collect Fae blood. Has you not figured that out yet?”
“W-what?” Aria gasped.
“Yes, which is why I escaped and returned to warn both the Courts,” she lied, “I have inside information that they wish to keep a secret. The whereabouts of Princess Selene.”
I hoped to God that Gabriella was just toying with him and that she was not turning her back on me. I already had a hard time trusting her, seeing as how she had pit Martha and I against each other that led us in this mess to begin with. I grabbed my sword, ready to take care of any damage that was to come from this.
“Aria, you should have listened when I warned you of the witches before,” he growled, eyes still trained on Gabriella, “Renounce your affiliation with them, and I’ll let Gabriella live.”
“I will renounce it on a blood pact that you shall leave my community alone and provide them protection at the borders,” Aria stated firmly, “Any harm your men bring my people should have repercussions.”
“And you promise to cut off all contact with them and not interfere with my matters regarding Princess Selene?”
Aria sighed, but put her sword away gently and straightened up, “You have my word.”
Sylius eyed Gabriella longer, waiting for her to break. He finally took his sword away and sheathed it. “You shall stay here with my guards until my sister and I are done with the pact ritual. I’ll then proceed to question you about whatever knowledge you have.”
The Dark King was gone with a swift turn of his heel, his sister following after hastily. I sighed softly, knowing the worst of it was over. Now all we had to do was wait until they were far enough to be able to take the guards out and run.
I eyed Gabriella. She didn’t look too injured, but her sword was confiscated and hung in one of the guard’s sheath. Both the men had their weapons drawn, and I had mine as well but I carefully held it by my side, seeming relaxed. This must have eased the guards as well and they stood normally instead of prepared to attack.
"Stand up, Fae,” one of them ordered, “Don’t attempt to escape or we’ll maim you.”
Gabriella grunted and pushed herself to stand, hands behind her head and back to them. The guards walked towards her and took hold of her arms to lower them behind her back. They did not seem too concerned about her acting out, and they were wrong to do so. As soon as Gabriella’s hand were levelled with their faces, she clenched them and fisted their faces. Hard. She’d also used magic to shoot bursts of light in their eyes which blinded them momentarily.
The men roared and she spun to snatch her sword back from them, swiping at their legs to trip them and running my way. Without a word, she grabbed my arm and dragged me to the balcony. I followed suit, running as fast as my legs could carry me. We jumped into the moonlit garden and I saw Martha running well up ahead.
“Darragh,” Gabriella panted, “the dust.”
“I have it,” I huffed, “We just need to get close enough to Martha to– gah!”
I fall and Gabriella screams. A sharp pain shoots down my shoulder. I’ve taken a hit like this once before to know it was an arrow.
“I’ll hold them off,” I grunt and force myself to stand, throwing the bag of dust her way, “You make sure Martha makes it out of here, you here me?”
“Darragh, no!”
“This is what we came for!” I snapped at her, “I’ll do my best to make it.”
I turned to the two men running my way, armed with weapons and magic. I breathed deeply, feeling the grass under my feet vibrate as they lent me their energy.
“Go,” I ordered. Gabriella gave me on last helpless look before she finally turned away.
Chapter Eleven
Magical bubble
I was out of breath, but a good distance from the palace. It didn’t help that the garden was so big but I knew that the least I needed to do was find my way out of the palace grounds and into the woods to hide until Darragh and his red-headed friend could get out and find me.
But the thing was, there wasn’t much I could explore when Sylius was up and around, and heading anywhere at night would be a hassle because of the guards. This was the first time I was left unaccompanied by one of Sylius’s designated guards, and I was lost. Maybe I should’ve invested more time in talking to the palace staff than trying to be alone.
I just couldn’t help it, though. The missing pieces of my memory were black cloudy spaces, unnervingly empty. Sometimes, when I tried too hard to reach into it, I would lose my breath and my chest would feel hollow. No amount of air I would gulp in helped to fill in the vacuum, and it was accompanied by a strong fear that the emptiness in my chest would eat me alive and leave me for dead.
I didn’t know who I was and it was suffocating me. But I could not allow anyone to see me be weak and vulnerable. Not even Sylius, no matter how much he claimed to care for me. I just knew deep down he didn’t love me like I believed he should.
After talking to Cornelius, it all made sense. I had an inkling of a possibility that I was here against my will. Why else would Sylius insist on deviating me from knowing more about myself? At first, I excused it as him already working on a potion to bring my memories back, so I would not be too stressed by him outright telling me when I had no recollection to assist in believing it. I believed that the potions he would give me were to help in it. But as I thought about it more, I realised that something was seriously off with it because when I talked to Cornelius for the second time that night, I didn’t feel the pull I initially had. The familiar spark was gone, and my mind wasn’t clouded with…with this embarrassing need to be physically close to him.
Which did not make much sense, really, but it helped me think clearer and I could really use that more than anything.
There was a loud grunt of pain from across the garden, followed by a scream. I stopped immediately and turned to look at whatever had taken place, gasping at the scene of Cornelius falling.
No, I started to panic, I can not lose him to Sylius!
I watched, frozen, as the red-head tried to pull him up to stand. An arrow had pierced through his shoulder and it looked horrendous and bloody. Cornelius’s face was in pain and although I felt quite numb, the sight still tugged at my heart. I couldn’t stand seeing people like that.
He shouted something at the red-head and she turned away from him and ran towards me. She was unbelievably fast and had crossed half the distance in lesser time that I’d come so far already.
“Why are you leaving him?” I screamed and ran towards her.
“Marth, no!” She cried, reachi
ng for a pouch at her waist, “Turn back! We need to leave!”
“We are not leaving without Cornelius!” I demanded and kicked off my heels, picking my dress and pushing past her. She wailed at me to come back. I felt the brush of her fingers against my arm as she followed, but I tugged myself out of her grasp and pumped my legs to carry me faster. Good grief, the tulle was weight me down. I unbuckled the bejewelled sash around my waist and let the fabric fall off, bunching up my fitted skirt up until my thighs to keep from getting in the way more than it already had.
There was a fire blazing under my skin and through my veins. Of what? I wasn’t sure. But all I knew then was that I was very, very angry. My answers were literally right in front of me, and nothing was to get in my way of it.
I watched Cornelius struggle to stand, drawing his sword with his uninjured arm and I knew he did not stand much of a chance seeing as how it was his dominant arm that was shot through.
I felt my face getting hot with anger, and it was in that moment that I started to question whether I really liked Sylius at all. There was so much fundamentally wrong in the system that there was no room for negotiation, and so many innocent people were hurting without ever doing anything wrong. And all the wrong that existed in the Unseelie Court was because the people were just trying to survive.
Survive… the word echoed in my chest with comforting familiarity. Maybe I did not know who I was, but something told me that I was not too different from the commoners and peasants of the Unseelie court. I knew I felt out of place in his palace, and it was easier to get along with the staff on the occasions I did communicate with them. At first I believed that maybe I was empathetic or the staff did not get the chance to talk to royals and were simply curious and excited. But as I ran closer to Cornelius, I realised that there must be some deeper connection to me and all these people. And it lay in my memories.
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