The Princess Guard

Chapter Sixty-Eight

Suspicious

Salem and I walked slowly through the gardens. We stayed silent. I spotted the rose bushes I was searching for and quickened my pace. I gazed silently, letting out a deep exhale as the cold stung my face. Salem stopped next to me and followed my gaze. It was a memorial spot for Amelia. We had a plaque secured against the wall here and I had her favorite roses planted.

I couldn't help but glance over at Salem. His eyebrows were furrowed, like he was thinking hard. His eyes were focused on the photo of her that was embedded in the center.

"This is.. was Amelia, she was a worker here and a very close friend." I started slowly and his gaze slowly shifted to me.

"She was killed when we visited a human faction. Her hometown, actually. She accompanied us..she.." I trailed off, struggling to find the right words. Do I just tell him he's the one that found her body?

"She brought me back." He spoke slowly and my eyes widened.

"I remember running around the castle. I felt like I was looking for something but I didn't know what...nobody could see me or hear me. I couldn't feel anything. Then she appeared, screaming at me over and over 'go back go back go back' I remember I stopped running and feeling panicked. I thought she was talking to one of the guards that was running. Then she ran towards me, shoving me. Next thing I woke up on a work table in the morgue."

My eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat. Maybe that's why I haven't seen her yet. Mom said it takes so much energy to appear for me, I wondered how much it would take to send somebody back.. how is that even possible? Is it still possible? I made a mental note to save these questions for the next time I saw mom or Julia. There was no point in letting my thoughts run wild now.

"I actually had a dream last night that you were in" he continued on and I rose an eyebrow.

"I was transitioning. You were there." He spoke plainly and my eyes widened.

"More details, please!?" I scoffed and he smiled slightly.

"You were banging on the glass yelling at me that it wasn't right for me to be there. I don't remember exactly what all was said." He stared at me blankly and I gasped.

"That actually happened. We need to go find Alyce!" I grabbed his wrist and began pulling him towards the castle.

"Your sister?" He kept up with my pace, gently taking his wrist out of my grasp. My heart deflated.

"Yes." I snipped, stopping abruptly when he grabbed my arm.

"Was I dating her or something?" He blurt out and I laughed suddenly, shaking my head. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I rolled my eyes and nodded towards the patio door. He trailed behind me with a huff.

"When I met her after bringing you back here she grabbed my hands and stared into my eyes like she was reading my mind. Ever since she's been touching my hands everytime I see her." He grumbled as we head towards her room.

"You didn't date and you weren't involved in any way like that. I'll explain later." I shot him a playful glare. One that I knew he wouldn't understand the meaning of.  Luckily alyce was in her room, alone. I passed her stand in and gave him a polite smile. Salem stopped outside of the door and sighed, turning to wait with the stand in. I rolled my eyes again and grabbed his wrist, pulling him into the room and shutting the door.

"What is it? Does he remember?" Alyce shot up from her bed and ran over to us.

"Maybe. He had a dream of that night when I was present for his transition." Alyce had such a hopeful look in her eyes. I couldn't help but feel the same. She looked at Salem and held out her hand.

"Let's see!" She beckoned for his hand and he gave me a 'see, I told you' look as he reluctantly placed his hand in hers. Alyce gasped slightly and grabbed my hand. I shut my eyes quickly. Suddenly I was in that room again in the east wing.  I watched myself bang on the viewing window, shouting at Salem. It was only seconds later it ended.

"That's it" I whispered, my chest tightened.

"That's it then. His dream was a memory." She whispered happily and I nodded.

"What the hell is going on?" Salem took a step back as Alyce and I stared at each other. She smiled, touching my shoulder.

I opened my mouth to tell him about the gift, but Alyce cut me off.

"I don't know that we can trust.. this Salem. Tell him at your own discretion." She eyed him suspiciously and I sighed. I guess she was right. Salem groaned, giving us an exasperated look.

"Genuinely you two are so helpful." He grumbled and I thanked Alyce, exiting her room as Salem followed behind.

"See if I ever tell you about my dreams again" he muttered to himself when we entered my room. I spun around quickly, I couldn't help but smile.

"Please do, Salem. That dream was a memory." I fiddled with my hands nervously and he crossed his arms.

"And how do you know that?" He raised an eyebrow and I sighed. I sat on my bed and stared at him carefully. I didn't know for sure if he would run and tell dad. I couldn't be certain...

"Where do your loyalties lie?" I crossed my arms raised an eyebrow. He blinked at me a few times silently.

"I'm sorry what? What does that have to do with anything?" He rubbed the back of his head and I sighed.

"There are things you knew that were confidential. You wouldn't go to the king about it. When you worked at the Westard kingdom, where did your loyalties lie then?" I asked slowly. I knew the answer.

"The king, of course" he responded quickly and I rolled my eyes. A lie.

"If that were true you wouldn't be here." I spoke gently and he sighed.

"My loyalties were with myself. I did whatever to survive amongst people that hate my existence." His tone had an edge to it. At least it was honest.

"Exactly. So, here, who are they with?" I spoke firmly and he stared at me silently.

"For some reason I instinctively want to say you...we.. " he trailed off, he sounded so conflicted and confused. I stayed quiet and watched him carefully.

"We're mates" he whispered, his eyes met mine wide with confusion and shock. My breath caught in my throat.

We stared at each other silently. His eyes were wide..and..scared? He let out a long sigh, going a little pale.

"Salem" I whispered quietly and then stood abruptly as his body wavered.

"Salem!" I shouted, darting to his side as he passed out. Well. That's one way to respond.