Memory's Wake - Book One of the Memory's Wake Trilogy

Chapter 5

Roen swallowed away the lump in his throat and waited for Eloryn’s reaction.

Her mouth opened a little then closed again. She turned to her friend as though Roen weren’t even there. “Memory, can you see, is our way clear? We have to leave now.”

Memory blinked as if she’d missed something. “Huh? But he...? What did he mean?”

“She doesn’t know?” Roen had assumed the princess to be in the care of this other girl. He hoped his assumption would not be the cause of more trouble to her.

“Know what?” Memory said.

“Nothing, I am not,” Eloryn insisted to them both, flustered.

Roen pushed back to his feet, took hold of Eloryn’s arm and moved her away from Memory. He placed Eloryn with her back to the furthest wall and bent down to whisper to her.

“Hey, let go of her!” Memory moved after them, but Roen gave her a warning look, stopping her in her tracks. He turned back to Eloryn who stared in alarm at where he held her. He pulled back his grasping hand and clenched his teeth. This was all going very wrong. For a moment that he, his parents and so many others had dreamt of for so long, to find this person of such importance, and here he was, throwing the princess into rubbish and manhandling her.

“Please,” Roen beseeched her. “Trust I am no enemy. Tell me it’s so, that you are the heir. You’re the right age. You’re in possession of our late Queen’s medallion,” he swallowed, skin tingling with goose bumps, “and her appearance.”

She looked from him to Memory with fear in her eyes. Roen dropped his voice to an even lower whisper. “This girl, Memory, who is she? Is she a threat? If she’s a danger to you in any way, I can help.”

“She’s not, I’m not, she’s...” Eloryn panted out the words then her knees gave way and she fell in a faint. Roen blinked in disbelief, just managing to catch the falling girl. Memory dashed across the room and took Eloryn’s weight out of his arms, the two girls sinking to the floor together.

“What did you do to her?” she demanded. “What was that interrogation about?”

Roen stood above them, hand hovering near his mouth. Could I be entirely wrong about this? No. Everything adds up to the same answer. She has to be.

“You really don’t know who this is?” he asked Memory.

“I just met her yesterday,” she snapped at him. Eloryn’s eyes fluttered back open and Memory loosened her bear hug hold of her. “We haven’t slept. We’ve just... just been running.”

The girls gave him matching glares. He didn’t blame them. He couldn’t believe in his desperation to know the truth he’d driven Eloryn - already injured, terrified and exhausted - to collapse. He felt sick to his stomach. Even if she wasn’t who he believed her to be, he’d acted poorly. If she was, it was unforgivable.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive my behavior. Whoever you are, and it doesn’t matter who that is, I can assume you’ve been running from someone, or something, terrible?” He dropped down next to them. Eloryn now kneeled unsupported, but swayed as she stared warily at him. Memory hesitated, then nodded for the both of them.

“You don’t have to tell me what it is. Just let me help you. I can sneak you from the city, past anyone who might be watching, to somewhere safe. I give my word you will be safe.”

No answer came. Roen bowed his head, unruly hair dropping over his face. “Forgive me, I only want to help,” he whispered.

“You promise?” Memory asked with a pout, sounding very much like a child.