She made an X over her chest with her pointer finger. “Cross my heart. It means 'I promise,’” she elaborated with an eye roll.
She squealed happily and linked her arm through his as they started down the path ahead. Alec grabbed the bag on the way, slinging it over his shoulder and giving her a look that said 'here goes nothing' before they approached the ominous and mysterious black dogs.
***
Zelene lay on her bed, thinking about the events of the past week. Heck, the past month. She was beyond beat, almost to the point where sleep escapes you no matter how hard you chase after it. With everything involving her father, Sylvanna, her amnesiac patient in the leigheas, her lessons with Adelphi, and plotting to find and rescue Ariana, she had been on the brink of exhaustion. She already felt like she was being pulled in several different directions, and after discovering her disturbing gift, she now felt like she was being pulled between two different worlds as well. She turned over onto her side and curled herself into a tight ball. She laid there for what felt like hours, just letting her mind turn over everything again and again until she finally drifted off to sleep.
She woke up some time later to a darkened room. Glancing out the window, she could see the moon and the sun beginning their daily battle for domination over the sky. She forced herself to sit up, rubbing at her bleary eyes as she scanned the room. She just barely made out the shadow of someone standing near the doorway. She slowly crept out of the bed and made her way over to the dresser opposite of the stranger, careful not to turn her back on them but trying to look as unassuming as possible. She picked up a small hairbrush and spun around, then flicked her wrist out and willed a flame into the center of her palm.
“Cute trick,” a familiar voice said with sadness.
Her heart jumped into her throat as that familiar voice caused her very skin to tingle. She had to be imagining it. There was no way it could be him. She let the flame from her palm drift across the room until it found the torch behind her mysterious visitor, lighting him up so that she could see him smirking at the brush she had armed herself with.
“Were you going to groom me to death, Zee?” Kyle asked, one brow arched. His bright blue eyes lifted to hers and he seemed to notice for the first time that she was staring right at him. “Zee?”
She ran over, jumping into his arms and squeezing him tight. For one blissful moment, they just held each other there, her face buried in his neck and his in her hair. The moment ended and she pulled away, shoving him in the chest. “Where the hell have you been? When did you get here? Why didn't you come get me or have someone else come get me?”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Easy with the interrogation.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, his mouth twisted in thought. “Honestly, I have no idea to any of the above. I just opened my eyes and I was here,” he said with a humorless laugh and then ran his hand across his hair. “I, uh, I think I might be dead, actually.”
Her face darkened at his. “No,” she said firmly as if she could command it to not be so. “No, you are not dead. Not after everything we've been through. That is not how this is supposed to end!”
He held out his hand to touch her arm but she backed away. “Look,” he sighed, “all I know is that I was there, and I felt so weak. I closed my eyes and then when I opened them again, I was here watching you sleep. Though I'm not exactly sure why you can see me, unless you're dead too.”
“I can see ghosts. It's my gift, if you can believe seeing ghosts is a gift of any kind.”
He stared at her in disbelief and then guffawed loudly. “Oh wow, you have to say it. Come on, say it! 'I see dead people',” he said in a mock whisper that echoed the little boy from the movie.
“I already made that joke, thank you very much. And this is serious, Kyle! You're dead.”
“Yeah,” he said and swatted at a cup on the table near him and watched his fingers drift through it. “I got that memo, Zee. But you can see me, so it isn't all bad I guess. How does this work?”
“Um, pretty much like this. You show up. We talk. We can touch, but you can’t touch anything else. No one else can see or hear you. Just me.”
“And when does this little deal expire?” he asked as he repeatedly dipped his finger in and out of her cup. “Am I supposed to be looking for some sort of white light? Or a door?”
Zelene walked over to him and moved her cup out of his reach. “Nothing like that from what I can tell. You're just sort of here sometimes and then sometimes you aren't. It seems like I can kind of call you from where ever it is you go when you die. When I want to talk to my mother, she's there. More so now that I figured it out. When I want to be alone, she's not.”
“Well, that's cool I guess. Sucks that I'm dead, but I'm sure you get used to it, right?”
She could tell that he was incredibly angry about this whole thing and she couldn't blame him. She was furious too. “I wanted to find you.”
“Don't do that, Zee.” He rubbed a hand over his face, struggling to stifle the scream of rage building in his chest. “I didn't want you to find me. I didn't want you anywhere near those monsters. If they had laid a hand on you . . . ”
She stared at her hands as she asked her question, not wanting to hear the answer but knowing she needed to. “What happened to you?”
“I don't really know,” he answered and let out a deep breath. He walked back over to her but kept his gaze shifted away. “Experiments, I think. Or torture. I'm still not sure what the end goal was. I just know it hurt a hell of a lot and now I'm dead, so I'm guessing they weren't hoping to gain sainthood over the work they were doing on me.”
Her blood boiled under her skin at the thought, her lip curling and her brown eyes seeming almost black when she lifted them to look at him. “Who did this?”
“Oh no! Nice try, Zee, but I know you too well for that. I tell you who did this and you'll go on some half-baked revenge mission. You'll be out for blood but you'll just end up giving them yours. They want something from you, Zee. You specifically. I'm not going to help them get it.”
“I don't care what they want from me. I want you. I am not going to let them keep you there like that.”
He gave her a sad smile and lifted his shoulder. “I'm dead, Zee. What does my body matter now?”
“It matters to me,” she shot back and closed the distance between them. “I am going to find it, Kyle, with or without you.”
Kyle didn't look like he was really listening to her. He tilted his head to the side, almost as if he could hear someone else speaking to him. He closed his eyes tight, fighting some kind of internal battle. “That's not what this was about, Zelene. It's not about finding me.”
“What what's about?” she asked, confused, watching his head as it swiveled around slowly to look toward the door. “Kyle? What's this about?”
His eyes opened, but he still didn’t look at her. His gaze shifted to the ground. “It's about saying goodbye.”
“Don't be ridiculous. I know how this works, Kyle. Like I said, no expiration date.” She started to turn away but his hand gripped her arm and turned her back around to face him, his expression saddened as he looked at her. “Kyle, it's okay. I promise. You're not going anywhere.”
“I don't think it works that way with me, Zee. I can feel something pulling me away.” He closed his eyes, fighting against something once more, and when they snapped back open, they were full of urgency. “I don't have much time. I'm sorry, Zee. I never meant to leave you like this.”
“No,” she said with a shaking voice. “No, you don't have to. I know you don't. That's how it works. You're here and I'm here and we can see each other and we can talk and everything will be okay now. It has to be.”
His body jerked like something yanked strings attached to it at points. “I have to go. I can feel it.” When she began to argue he cradled her face in his hands. “There's no time, Zee. I didn't get to say this before, so let me get it out now. I love you. I have always loved you, even
when I made sure you hated me. I am so sorry for everything—”
“Then make it up to me,” she demanded as she clutched his shirt in her hands. “Stay. Stay with me,” she begged him, her voice cracking. “I never stopped loving you. You know that.”
“I know,” he said and rested his forehead against hers. “But you have to let go now. I don't have much time, so I need you to promise me that you'll keep going, okay? Because there's a lot of bad shit in this world and I know you can stop it. I knew that you had the power in you to change people even before I knew you were some magical princess,” he said with a crooked grin before turning serious once more. “People need you, Zee.” He let his hand rest over her heart. “People need this from you. And I'll always be in there. I promise. Now you promise me you'll be strong, okay? Promise me you'll find a way to be happy. Can you do that for me?”
“I don't understand—”
“Promise me,” he urged her, stroking her face. “Promise me, Zelene.”
“I promise.” Her lip trembled, her teeth clattering together as she shook her head against the inevitable. She wanted so desperately to believe that he was wrong, to believe that whatever pull he felt would pass and that they would be able to remain here together. She tried to figure out if it could be something she was doing wrong when he inhaled sharply and her gaze flicked back up to his.
“It's time . . . I can feel it,” he said heavily. He placed a finger over her mouth when she opened it to speak, then traced her lips gently. “I've only got the one shot to say goodbye, Zee, and it's running out quick. Let me do this right.” His finger traced the line of her chin and he moved closer, his lips pressing against hers lightly. “I love you,” he whispered against her mouth.
Zelene felt the warmth of his touch disappear and when she opened her eyes, he was gone. “Kyle?” she called in a desperately small voice. She turned around slowly, almost as though she feared the now empty room. She sank to the floor, tears building up until they came rushing down her cheeks. She buried her head in her hands, curling further into herself as the loss wracked her body, and let loose a cry of anguish.
She didn't notice anyone come in, but suddenly her brother, Ellowyn, and Varrick were at her side, exchanging worried glances and asking her what was wrong. She looked to Ellowyn through her blurred vision and said one word, knowing Ellowyn would understand her meaning. “Kyle.”
Ellowyn's face paled and she clamped her hand around her mouth. “Oh no . . . you saw him.”
“What? Where?” Nolan demanded when Zelene nodded. “Ellowyn, what's going on?”
“I'm so sorry, kiddo,” Varrick said, his own voice choked with emotion. He nodded to Ellowyn. “Go explain what that means to Nolan. I'll stay with her.” He lifted Zelene into his arms, picking her up off the floor, and carried her to bed while Ellowyn led a very confused Nolan outside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Terrena sat beside the young amnesiac on his bed, holding his hand, and squeezing her eyes tight in concentration. The mystery patient from Baileton, still suffering the terrible nightmares from his time in the fights, had figured out his recent sordid past. Terrena tried to guide him through his memories, back to a more pleasant time, which she hoped existed. Unlike Bianca, Terrena could remain conscious while entering someone else's mind. It was a pleasant and bitter discovery. If she would be granted access to Isauria, she might be of more use.
“Stop thinking about the fights,” she chided him again.
He shifted his weight, grumbling to himself about how it was much easier said than done. The grip he had on her hand tightened as various images flashed through his mind. He was in a castle walking through the corridors, greeting people along the way. He leaned against a tree outside, flirting with a group of girls that seemed to be fawning over him.
Terrena clamped her mouth shut even though she wanted to cheer triumphantly at the success of their session. It was short-lived; his concentration broke when the door to his room opened. She backed out of his mind and released his hand, folding hers onto her lap as she greeted her cousin. “Nolan! It's good to see you.”
“You as well,” Nolan said and bowed his head. “Forgive me, I didn't know that our new resident here had any guests. Should I come back?”
She shook her head slowly, seeing as her assumption that Nolan wished to see her was inaccurate. “No, by all means, join us. I didn't know that our new resident was expecting any guests,” she said and turned her head toward her patient.
The young man shrugged, giving the new addition to their party a bemused look. “I wasn't. I mean, I never am.”
“My name is Nolan,” he said. “I was among the patrol who found you in Baileton, and I'm afraid I must apologize for not stopping by before now. However, since I was already in the leigheas visiting, I thought I might check in on you.”
“Well, make yourself comfortable,” the young man gestured to the chair in the corner of the room. “It's an honor to have a visitor of your status. I would introduce myself but . . . ”
Nolan snickered and nodded his head. “Yes, Bianca has informed me of your unfortunate state. She seems fairly confident that you will make a full recovery. Some of your memories have started to come back already from what I understand.”
The patient’s voice held an edge of fear as he answered. “Yes,” he swallowed, “some.”
Nolan pulled the chair from the corner of the room to his bedside and seated himself in it. “No worries, I am not here to bring any charges against you concerning the fights. We are well aware that not everyone involved is there by choice, particularly those who are more than just spectators.”
The former prizefighter relaxed and his demeanor shifted back to that of a host as he poured a cup of water from the bedside table and offered it to Nolan. “You said you were here visiting. I hope it isn't someone close.”
Nolan accepted the cup and took a sip. “My father, actually. He is . . . unwell. But he is recovering.”
“I'm glad to hear it,” the patient said kindly. His door opened once more and he glanced up to find a familiar dark head carrying a tray of food into the room. “Ellowyn! Come, join the party.”
Ellowyn gave an amused chuckle and glanced around at his visitors. “I'm shocked I didn't get an invitation,” she teased.
Nolan jumped up from his chair and took the breakfast tray from her hands. “I'll get that. Here, have a seat.” He gestured to his chair.
“Maistir Nolan,” Ellowyn greeted, bowing her head. She gave him a puzzled look when he bowed his head in return and then she turned to Terrena. “Ainnir Terrena. It is good to see you.”
Terrena noticed Nolan's flustered reaction as he pulled the chair out for Ellowyn, finding his actions comical. She beamed back at the young maidservant. “I've told you to call me Terrena. And it is good to see you well, Ellowyn.”
“Where is your friend?” the patient asked. He craned his neck to look at the door, as if the redhead might come through it at any moment.
Ellowyn smoothed her hands over her dress before answering. “I'm afraid she has taken ill. It's nothing to worry about, I'm sure.”
The young man pulled himself up, shifting his jaw as his brows drew down. “I'm sorry to hear that. Has she been to see the paion yet?”
“No,” Ellowyn said slowly as she tugged at the ends of her hair.
“My sister is also under the weather,” Nolan offered as a rescue. “I think there might be something going around. Ellowyn, you tend to my sister at times, do you not?”
Ellowyn's eyes widened, and Terrena wondered what wasn't being said. “Yes, my lord.”
Nolan rested his arm on the back of her chair, and Ellowyn tilted her head up to see him. “There's no need for such formalities with me,” he said with a wink. “How does my sister fare? Any better than your friend?”
Ellowyn blinked with relief when she caught on. “No better. Your sister has a lot on her plate right now. I fear her recovery will take time.”
&nb
sp; Terrena was just as confused as her patient. She wanted to ask more, but she knew that the young man had no idea that it was Zelene who cared for him.
The impatient patient was not concerned with the state of the Duillaine Ainnir. “What about your friend?” He held out a hand pleadingly to the maidservant. “Will you please just tell me her name? Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to ask about someone when you have no idea what to call them?”
Ellowyn cocked an eyebrow and swiveled her dark head around to face him. “Yes, I believe I do. It is exactly what she says when speaking about you.”
“She talks about me?” he asked, clearly pleased with this idea and missing the glint of amusement exchanged between Terrena and Nolan at this.
“Yes and she warned me that you would try to trick me into telling you her name. She told me if you do that I am to tell you that your agreement still stands, so get to work.”
“She's clever, that one. I'll give her that. But I will find out,” he promised to no one in general.
“Of course you will,” Terrena encouraged as she patted his knee. “I'm afraid I must be going. Nolan? Will you escort me back?”
Nolan nodded and followed her. She immediately rounded on him the instant he closed the door.
“What's wrong with Zelene? Has anyone seen her? The Duillaine don't have her, do they?” she spat out the questions in hushed tones.
Nolan shook his head fervently when he saw Terrena's concern. “No, no, dear cousin. I didn't mean to cause you worry. Zelene is unwell, but I'm afraid that's all I can say. It isn't mine to explain.”
Terrena melted with relief and flushed, embarrassed by her outburst. “I'm sorry. I worry too much.” She leaned back against the wall, clutching her chest. “Kenward has always told me as much. I hate it when he's right,” she joked.
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