Redemption

Bittersweet

Quiet days passed between them. Quick glances, fleeting smiles, avoiding touch or eye contact… he didn’t like it. So when she came to him after dinner, curling into his arms in the firelight, he had to force himself not to crush her in relief.

Only when the firelight burned down, the stars above them twinkling brightly, did she sit up, looking at him. His mouth twitched up in a dim smile as he brushed his fingers through the hair at her temple. Searching his face, she leaned into the touch.

“I make you sad,” his quiet observation came with a sigh, but she shook her head. “Because I cannot remember you.”

More, she gestured then pulled back with a grimace. She hadn’t meant to tell him that. Too late, for he’d caught her meaning and sat up. Firelight played over his features.

“It’s not just you, but something, or someone that you care about. Or that I cared about… I’ve forgotten that too.” Avoiding looking at him, she fidgeted. “You will not tell me because it scares you.”

Her look was proof of the truth and he nodded, making up his mind.

“We need to find a safe place for you to stay, somewhere no one will find you.”

Her head jerked up at that, expression guarded.

Why?

“I am going to find out who I am, and I have the feeling it will not be safe for you to be with me as I do. I want to leave you somewhere you will be safe.”

No! Her protest was vigorous, her signs sharp and clear. I not go! We go together!

“I am not asking you.” Expression stiff, eyes cool, he stared at her. “You have had plenty of chances to tell me the truth and you wouldn’t do it. So I’m going to find out for myself.”

Her gestures were severe and hard, made too quickly for him to read what she was saying.

“This is not up for debate!” Grabbing her wrists, he stopped her protest. “I am going, and you are not!”

Ripping free, she tried to get up but he caught her elbow, pulling her back down. When she struggled, he grabbed her arms.

“You have left me no choice! I will not sit idle while my life is left unlived and forgotten!” The broken look on her face made his heart skip a beat, sending physical pain through him.

I remember you! I here, l here every day! Why I not enough? Why you want unhappy!

“Because I want to remember!” The muscles in his shoulders and back tensed as his temper flared hot. “I don’t know who I am!”

I know! Harmony signed it firmly, her jaw set but he wasn’t backing down.

“There are people in this country somewhere that know who I am, what I was, and I will get the answers I want.”

He know you alive, he kill you!

“Who?” Grabbing onto the tiny slip, he stood up. “Who wants to harm me? Tell me his name!”

No!

“Is it QP?” She looked sick at his guess, scrambling to her feet. Suddenly feeling he’d struck gold, he grabbed her shoulders before Harmony could get out of reach.

“Does this QP want me dead?”

She refused to answer him, her lips trembling slightly. Struggling to gain control of his temper, Lane’s grip on her shoulders tightened.

“Why won’t you just tell me? Why are you always hiding the truth?” Furious, his grip became painful, but she didn’t struggle. “How would you feel in my place! Would you be so ready to ignore your past?”