Fates Intertwined

51. | The Curse of Forgetting

"The key to what?" Zyran asked, confused. Aurora pushed herself to her feet, dusting herself off.

"The longer I'm with you all, the more likely your memories will reset." She explained, looking around at the group. "The Curse of Forgetting was cast because of me. I am the curse."

"That's not true." Nara argued. "You didn't know she'd do that."

"I'm the reason she cast it. She made me the key. If I stay until the full moon, you all will lose your memories and we'll be right back at the start." She ran a hand through her hair. "It's best if I just leave." Then she was turning toward the entrance, walking up the stairs into the sunlight.

"Wh— Rory, wait!" Zyran chased after her. "You can't just leave."

"I have to Zyran." She sighed.

"You can't go," Eric added. "Not after everything we've been through."

"You've been through all of that because of me." She gestured to herself. "It was me who caused all of it, but I won't make that mistake again. I won't ruin your guys' futures because you're my friends."

A tear fell.

"At least stay for the Summer Ball." Esme spoke. "Besides, the full moon isn't for another two weeks, maybe three. You have plenty of time to figure out a solution—"

"There is no solution." She shook her head. "Octavia cast that spell out of spite because I was in love with Zyran and because I was friends with them. She wanted me to suffer."

"You can't give up." Nara stepped forward. "We should at least try to figure out a solution."

"You can do that." She replied, her bottom lip trembling. "But the Curse of Forgetting is unbreakable. She said it herself."

"When?" Lina asked, her brows furrowed.

"When she casted the spell. You all were already out, but I managed to stay awake a little longer." She explained. Then let out a huff. "Long enough for her to tell me it was inevitable and I was the key to destroying your guys' futures."

"And you believed her?" Esme asked, face scrunched.

"When it comes to magic? Yeah." Aurora blew out a breath and wiped at her face. "I'll stay for the Summer Ball. But then I'm leaving."

"Aurora," Esme started, but Zyran stepped forward.

"What about Van Helsing?" He was glaring at her, anger and pain in his eye. "The second you leave here, he's going to grab you and take you right back to the hell you were in." With each word, he stepped closer and closer until he was standing in front of her. "He won't stop until he has you, Rory, and you don't even understand your magic."

"I won't let him take me." She defended, her bottom lip trembling once more.

"You alone is nothing compared to the amount of power he has without magic. You won't beat him, Rory, and I'd rather not lose you again."

"We can't." Aurora whispered.

"I know," He said, his eyes softening. "But just knowing you're here, where you're safe, is enough for me." A tear slipped down her face, but he was there to wipe it away. Just like he always was.

Esme stepped up beside them. "We should get back to the castle. People are going to notice we're missing and you all need outfits for the Summer Ball."

Aurora nodded, swallowing and wiping her face. "Okay."

Esme led the group back, Nara walking to her and linking her arm in Aurora's. Their heads rested together as they walked side by side, Eric pushing at Zyran in a joking, loving way.

Lina stayed at the back, watching Aurora with a glare on her face. She wasn't her friend. She would never be her friend. Never again.

They arrived at the castle, Lina disappearing as they walked into the throne room where Evelyn stood talking to a woman with long brown hair and a light blue gown that looked ripped. Her skin was a slight tinge of blue. A woman with similar colored hair stood beside her. Crue stood off to the side, holding a doll above a girl's head as she tried to reach for it, glaring at him.

Nara's eyes lit up. "Mom!"

The woman turned, confused, but Nara was running forward. She collided with her, the woman staring down confused.

"Uh, hi." Nara pulled away, allowing her a better look at her face and her eyes widened with the realization of who she was. "Naraina?" Nara's smile widened, and the woman let out a relieved breath, pulling her toward her. "Nara."

Evelyn was watching them confused. Nara pulled away and turned to her sister, the woman standing next to her. "Amara." Nara smiled.

"You're back." Amara grinned, pulling her into a tight hug. "I missed you."

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Ellianna, come here." Nara's mom called, and the girl Crue was holding a doll over came running over. "Ellianna, I want you to meet Naraina, your oldest sister." Nara pulled away to look down at the girl staring up at her.

"I thought you were dead." Was the first thing she said.

Nara smiled, crouching. "Not dead. Just lost."

Esme stepped toward Evelyn, smiling at her and engaging in conversation. Aurora watched as Evelyn called Crue over, and she felt her heart ache.

They had everything she always wanted.

Aurora turned and walked out of the room, taking the way she had memorized to go to her room. Once there, she changed into another workout outfit, this time putting her hair up in a ponytail. She glanced in the mirror, at the girl staring back at her.

Her eyes sunken from the lack of sleep. Her skin pale. Her body thin and boney.

Her gaze fell to the necklace that hung from her neck. Her eyes watered as she realized the necklace he had trusted her with was the one she had given him. Back when everything was simple. Back when she was free.

She blinked back her tears and inhaled deeply before walking out of the room and making her way to the gym.

And that was where she lost herself to her thoughts.