26. Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Thea

W isp’s bright flames were blinding when I opened my eyes. My gods, I don’t think I had ever seen her shining like this. Then she faded, and it wasn’t Wisp standing there. My mouth fell open when I realized a man was standing in the shadows. I grabbed a bronze statue and held it up.

“Back the fuck up!” I warned.

“Thea, it’s alright,” he whispered. “I’m not going to harm you.”

The tall man with dark hair and friendly brown eyes emerged from the dark with his hands held up. Relief filled me, but then irritation. He was going to tell me exactly who he was. He said Bayla had sent him, and now I knew that was my dead mother .

“Says the man who magically appeared in my room,” I hissed."A man who refuses to tell me anything about who he is."

He was glowing slightly. He had a pretty gold aura around him that made me think of Petra’s glow. He took a step toward me, and I threw the statue at him in a panic. He was much taller than me. Shit, he may be taller than Cassius. The statue went straight through him and hit the wall. My eyes widened as the man pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled before laughing.

“You’re laughing,” I scoffed. “Why did that statue go through you and not hurt you?”I asked already knowing why.

“Because I’m already dead,” he laughed harder.

“That’s funny to you?” I glared.

“It’s just that you are so much like your mother. Bayla had told me you were strong-willed, but for fuck’s sake, she didn’t say you were exactly like her."

A moment later Della appeared in my room, her hands on her hips and glaring at the man.

“You.” She narrowed her eyes on him. “Where is she?”

I glanced at Della, confused.

“Ardella, please understand that we aren’t trying to be difficult. You know, Bayla, when she wants something, she’ll do anything to get it. She needs to see Thea break her curse.”

The man looked back at me and smiled. I realized then who he was.

“You're Killian,” I whispered.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Thea. You look just like your mother.” He smiled at me like I would expect my father to—with pride and care.

“Where is she?” I asked.

His eyes drifted to Della before looking back at me.

“Hiding,” his lips twitched when Della scoffed. “She does not want the goddess to force us to move on yet, so she refuses to show herself until absolutely necessary.”

He moved toward me and stopped.

“She is close to you, always.” He glanced at Della.

“Why can I see you?” I asked.

Della stepped forward.

“It’s just like with Petra; you can see souls because I gave you part of mine. This is Killian’s soul. When your mother comes out of hiding, she will appear as if she were still living, but with a glow to her as well.”

That made sense, I suppose.

“Why are you here?” Della asked him.

“I wanted to make sure that Thea got my vision I sent to her and to make sure she knows it has not changed. Cassius is still going to die.”

My gaze snapped up to his. He sent me the vision of Cassius dying. I stepped toward him, and he frowned at me.

“I’m assuming by the devastation on your face that you did get it. Bayla insisted that I send it to you and Brim so that it can be stopped.”

“Are you a seer?” I asked.

“No, I was a fae with elite magic. I had the ability to see major events that would alter the lives of those important to me.”

His words made my throat tight with emotion.

“I’m important to you," I asked.

Killian stepped forward and smiled.

“You are a part of Bayla, and that makes you invaluable. I have watched you for years, Thea; you are the daughter Bayla and I never had a chance to have. As far as I’m concerned, you are Bayla’s daughter and mine. Your father is a total bastard. You are nothing like him and everything like Bayla. Besides your mother, you are the most important woman to me. It is why I had a vision of you; even in death, my magic wants to help you. ”

Tears filled my eyes as I stared at him. I could feel the sincerity in his words. Killian was everything I would have wished for in a father. I tried to hug him, but I stepped through him.

I turned around and saw him smiling brightly at me.

“A downside to being just a soul is we cannot touch the living. We are so proud of you.”

I nodded as the tears streamed silently down my face.

“I have one other motive for coming.” He looked at Della before returning his gaze to me. “Your mother has a message for you.”

I perked up at this news.

“What is it?” I could hear the excitement in my voice.

“She knows that you are trying to break your curse without Cassius knowing, so perhaps the vision won’t come true. She said the answer is simple. Give him the stone as he sleeps.”

I opened my mouth to protest that it would not work, but I shut it and looked at Della. Was it really that simple?

“Would that work?”

Della looked at Killian with a perplexing expression.

“Yes, that would work. I don’t see why that wouldn’t.”

Finally, an answer to this madness.

“I must get back to Bayla. We will see you soon, Thea.”

“Thank you, Killian. Please tell my mother I said hello.”

“I will.” He smiled before leaving.

I looked up at Della, who was smiling.

“Your mother and Killian are hard to be upset with when they are so damn helpful,” Della laughed.

“I want to go give Cassius the stone right now,” I said. Della immediately stopped laughing and stared at me, nodding. “I cannot wait a second longer.”

I slipped on my boots and took a deep breath.

“Let's do this.” She smiled. It was far into the night, and I knew Cassius would be sleeping soundly like he always was when I visited late, but I was nervous that this wouldn’t work.

Clenching the bloodstone tightly, I closed my eyes and pictured Cassius lying in his bed. When my shadows disappeared, I saw him sleeping soundly, and the sight made my chest squeeze with an emotion that was overwhelming.

Wisp was twirling in the corner, her new favorite color of purple. She didn’t know what I was here for. Della watched from the corner. Slowly, I crept toward the bed. Cassius lay on his side, his arms stretched out towards the edge of his side of the bed.

His red crown tattoo lay visible, and it filled me with comfort. Maybe because it mirrored the black one I had. Gods, I hoped he was a hard sleeper. Slowly I lifted the bloodstone up so Wisp could see it, and she exploded. Her purple flames burst into millions of tiny light particles floating through the air before she collected herself.

Her flames flashed dark green, and she twirled so fast through the room that I was thankful that Cassius didn’t hear her commotion. It was clear that Wisp was excited. She wouldn’t stop flashing a series of colors now. I gave her a small smile before I gently placed the stone in Cassius’ hand.

“This is for you, Cassius Valeska,” I whispered. “Gods and stars, please let this work,” I whispered to myself. The bloodstone glowed bright purple in his hand to the point I worried it would wake him. Then the bloodstone stopped glowing altogether. Disappointment coursed through me. Tears sprang to my eyes as I grabbed the bloodstone from him.

I didn’t feel any different. I glanced around, and Della smiled.

“It didn’t work,” I sighed.

Wisp was still dark green as she stopped twirling around at my words. Disappointment filled me. Cassius moved slightly, and I held my shaky breath.

“Little viper, am I dreaming?” he muttered. His sleepy golden eyes watched me but drifted back to sleep quickly. Emotions were too much .

Shadows wrapped around me, and a moment later I was kneeling in my bedroom. Wisp followed me, still seeming happy. The stone pulsed lightly in my hand as if to remind me that I hadn’t broken the curse. I slid it into its hiding spot cut in the side of my mattress. Stupid fucking rock.

As soon as the thought disappeared, I began crying. Lightning cracked through the sky, and thunder boomed loud enough to drown out my sobs.

Wisp floated close to me.

“It was supposed to work,” I told her. “It was supposed to break my curse so I could remember. I just want Cassius.”

Wisp made an odd noise that had me looking up, but it wasn’t Wisp. It was Della smiling brightly at me. Something about her was calming. Wisp twirled around her in a happy dance.

“Thea, you gave Cassius the stone.” She smiled.

“It didn’t work, Della. I don’t feel different.”

“Because I haven’t given your memories back yet.” She helped me off the floor and hugged me tightly. “I’m so fucking happy for you.”

When I pulled back, I stared at her.

“So, it did work?”

“Yes, but I need to hear you say you love him and that you chose to forgive what he did. ”

My heart pounded as I smiled.

“I forgive Cassius for killing and cursing me. I love him more than anything,” I cried softly.

She nodded as Wisp moved closer.

“You’ll remember everything very soon. It took eight tries, eight long years, but I am so proud of you, Thea. You will still need to complete the prophecy; the realm of Elloryon is counting on you. Just be careful because this time if you die, you do not go back to Exile.”

My brows creased as she looked at Wisp and nodded. Wisp’s dark purple flames twirled around her, and when they stopped, it was me standing there. The wisp form of me was glowing brightly, but I was in awe of how peaceful I found it.

“It’s me,” I whispered.

“Wisp was your soul,” Della confessed.

Suddenly it made sense why she was always lingering around Cassius. Because my soul loved him.

“Are you ready?”

“What for?”

“To remember.”

Her star-colored eyes shined brightly at me. Then my wisp form walked towards me and smiled before she reached out and hugged me. Light exploded around me and shattered into small parts that illuminated like stars. I turned around to watch how beautiful it was. I felt peacefulness envelop me. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Then I saw Cassius standing in the middle of it, his hand stretched out toward me. Quickly, I went to him. As soon as my hand settled in his, all the lights stopped, and I was lying on the floor of my room in Cerithia, and then it all went dark.

★★?★★

A bright purple light flashed in my eyes. Shit, that was blinding. As it faded away, I saw Cassius standing in front of me, smiling. He held out his hand for me again, and I took it without hesitation. He pulled me to him for a lingering kiss before pulling back.

“You did so fucking good, little viper.”

Then he shoved me back, so I was tumbling through the sky. Darkness and stars surrounded me as I plummeted toward the ground. My hair whipped around me as the ground below me became bigger. Shit… I closed my eyes as I realized I was going to crash into it. My eyes cracked open when I didn’t feel the wind all around me. I was hovering above the ground, and before I hit it, it stopped me and set me gently on the ground on my knees.

Gods, I felt terrible. My chest burned and ached with agony. My breathing was short, and I couldn’t catch my breath. Where is Cassius? I wanted to be with him when I died. I glanced at the elite fae fighting around me. My father attacked us while Cassius was gone. Sybil and the twins were surrounding me. My brothers.

“Thea!” I heard Cassius’ voice boom around me.

Thank the moon.

I glanced around, too weak to move. I saw him moving toward me. He used his shadows to move across the field in a split second. He shot out his shadows to catch me before I fell to the ground. Gods, he was such a good husband. I would miss him until we could be together again, but I would wait an eternity for him.

Cassius was cradling my head. I felt so weak, so confused. His golden eyes took over my view. Why was he crying? Gods, I had fucking missed him. He had only been gone for a couple of days, but it felt like years. Cassius rubbed my hair from my face, sobs escaping him.

“My love,” he said, panicked.

“I missed you,” I whispered.

“I missed you too,” he sobbed, but I wasn’t sure why he was so sad.

“I love you so much.”

Cassius leaned forward and kissed me. He lifted my viper handle dagger up as he spoke the words, “I love you more than anything. Please forgive me.” Then he stabbed that dagger straight into my heart, and all the pain and agony disappeared for the first time in years. I felt free.

★★?★★

The memories plagued me so quickly at first. My childhood whipped past me in a blur, but then my memories slowed down when I met Cassius. Every word, every kiss, every touch played out in my mind. I watched it all in wonderment. How could I have forgotten a love like this? Our wedding played in front of my eyes, and the relentless ache of missing him filled my chest. How could I forget him or us?

Cassius was my husband. My mate. My fated mate, destined from the stars and made specifically for me to love. There was a pit in my chest as I watched it all. The trials, our life, my life now. I missed Cassius terribly.

But then a series of memories hit me that weren’t my own. Cassius is lying in bed crying, begging the stars for me back. Cassius stared at portraits of him and me. Then it showed me staring at him like he was a stranger. I was seeing life through the eyes of Wisp, of my soul. My chest ached as I watched her look after Cassius and how distraught he was.

Stars, he didn’t leave our bed for months when I died. He looked so lost and confused that I couldn’t help the guilt that formed in my chest. He was so lonely—so hurt.

The next memories were Exile, followed by the trials. I watched myself die in the trials over and over. I watched Cassius staring at me like he loved me, and I looked at him like a stranger.

My mind raced with moments of my life I thought I would never remember again. Things I had prayed to remember over the years. Now they were back, and I realized how much I had been missing. All these precious moments with Cassius that had been forgotten. It would have been a horrible fate to forget these memories.

Cassius flashed through my mind like my curse knew how badly I wanted to remember him the most. Then everything went dark. I wanted Cassius to come back.

Slowly, voices started to penetrate the darkness. At first, I thought they were part of the memories, but then I realized that they were happening in real life. Part of me wanted to stay in this beautiful place and watch Cassius and me forever.

“Is she fucking dead yet?” Gwyn snapped. “We had all the healers we know come and look at her, and they can’t find anything wrong with her.”

“Gwyn, shut the fuck up,” Jesper snapped. His voice made memories of him beating me break through the peaceful darkness I was suspended in .

I wanted to wake up. I didn’t want to remember this. Sitting up quickly, I gasped loudly; everyone gathered around me as I lay in my bed, jumped and gasped.

“Fuck!” my father yelled as he straightened his ridiculous crown on top of his head. They all stared at me as I glanced around. It felt as if I was still dreaming, but I knew I wasn’t. “Thea?”

I shook my head and stared at them before looking down at my arms. My marriage bond drew my attention, and I instantly felt like my chest would cave in on how much I wanted to see Cassius.

“Why are you all watching me sleep?” I glanced up at them.

Gwyn scoffed, and I ignored her.

“Sleep?” Jesper looked confused. “You’ve been passed out for ten days.”

My memories felt like minutes to replay in front of my eyes, but in reality, it took days. Shaking my head, I tried to seem confused.

“I don’t understand.” I lied.

“We don’t either.” My father frowned. “We found you on the floor. Do you feel alright?”

I moved my stiff body but then nodded.

“Fine, although I feel tired. I don’t remember feeling sick. ”

They all looked at each other, wondering what the fuck was going on, but they would never suspect what I had done. My family and Jesper had always underestimated me, and I never thought I would be happy about it, but I was in this moment.

“I’d like to shower and eat.”

“Right, we will have the kitchen make food. It will be in the great room.” My father nodded, and they all left wondering what the fuck happened.

As soon as the door shut, I smiled. My body was sore and stiff from being in bed for so long, but a hot bath would cure that.

Instinctively, I looked around for Wisp but remembered it was me. A new sense of happiness coursed through me. I knew I needed to plan how to fulfill the prophecy so that I could be with Cassius. My heart ached as I stepped into the scalding bath. Cassius watched me die over and over. He had to be so lost each time that happened.

How could he be so strong when I looked at him like I didn’t know him? Like he was my enemy when he had never truly been.

I got out of the bath and stared at my clothing options. Disgust filled me as I put on my blue captain uniform. Taking a moment, I tried to get into the headspace to face the fae I hated the most in this realm. My behavior and words had to continue to be confused.

Taking a deep breath, I headed for the great room. They were all waiting for me like they fucking cared for me. The smell of the food filled the room, and I hurried to the seat at the end of the table away from them all. I ate like a starved man. Manners and politeness went straight out the window as I devoured everything in sight.

"Breathe before you choke,” my father sighed.

I nodded and slowed down.

“So, what did I miss while I was sleeping?”

“Nothing.” Jesper watched me. “But we have decided to attack Crimson.”

I nodded because if I didn't, my magic would explode from me. My darkness begged to snap their fucking necks to protect what was mine.

“When should the men and I head out?” I didn’t look at them because I worried they would see the anger in my eyes. So, I stared at my plate as I ate.

“Tonight,” Gwyn spoke.

I glanced up at her. Tell me what she’s thinking.

You need to be away from us as much as possible.

“That soon?” I questioned. Did they forget that I had been practically dead for ten days? My father looked me straight in the eyes .

“Yes, you need to break your curse and kill Cassius and all of Crimson’s bloodline.”

Verenna, Cassius, Rylan, Cassius’s mother, Hatta, and the twin boys Sav and Tal popped into my mind. My family. Anger coursed through me, but I refused to let it show.

“Yes, it would be nice to remember,” I answered. “I will prepare the men after I eat, and we will leave so we can arrive at nightfall tomorrow.”

“Good.” My father gave me a smile I knew was reserved for only me. A fake smile that was supposed to make me feel happy, but hatred filled me. I couldn’t wait for the day I plunged my dagger into my father’s heart. In the name of Crimson, in the name of my mother.

I hurried to eat because the tension was odd in the room as they all stared at me. I excused myself and headed to the training fields, excited to see Cassius soon, even if it was only in battle.