Desire (On Hold)

Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

I woke up from Asteria’s memories in a mixture of horror and sadness.

“Elle!” Samara exclaimed, jumping up from the seat next to my bed and smoothing down her wild hair. It looked as if she had been sitting beside me for days. “Thank goodness, we were so worried! I have to tell mother, she will be so relieved-“

“No,” I interrupted, my voice scratchy and hoarse from lack of use. “Don’t tell anyone, please.”

“But why, Elle? Please can I?” Samara begged.

“No, I have to go back,” I responded. “Could you pass me the key?” I asked, spotting the key on the dressing table.

Samara placed her hands on her hips and watched my with a stern gaze. She reminded me of her mother when she did that. “First you have to tell me why on earth you were unconscious.”

“Well, it’s a long story…” I began, trailing off to try and give her a hint to let it go, but nothing was going to deter her.

“I have time. And until you tell me, you won’t be getting the key.” Samara waved the key in front of my face teasingly, but just far enough away where I couldn’t reach it.

I pouted and muttered under my breath, “Bully,” but began telling her the story. I told her about how Asteria let me into her memories and what I saw. I told her about how horrible Asteria’s brother, Henry was to her and how he always seemed to be lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce and attack. I told her about how kind and gentle Arthur was to her and how much he loved her. I finished off by telling her about how Henry killed Arthur.

“He killed him?” Samara gasped. “His own brother?” I nodded solemnly and Samara wiped her eyes with a tissue, catching a few tears. “That’s terrible! And you saw the whole thing?” Again I nodded, but this time I began crying as I remembered how distraught Asteria was and Henry’s lack of sadness at his brother’s death.

“I have to go back,” I said quietly. “I need to know what happens next, Sam!”

Samara nodded. “I understand. Just promise to tell me what happens.” I smiled in agreement.

“In return, I need you to promise me something too,” I said, lowering my voice. “You cannot tell anyone – and I mean anyone – about this, okay? If your mother asks, I’ve been asleep the whole time, got it?”

“Fine,” Samara promised grudgingly. She and I shook hands to seal our promises and she handed me the key. “Good luck,” she whispered and I slipped out of consciousness again, excitement pulsing through me as I tried to imagine what would happen next in Asteria’s life.