The Blood in Our Veins

Chapter Thirty Six - Forget to Forgive

I did nothing to resist as I was led back to my chambers and clothed in my usual style. I stood quietly as the magical silver cuff was slid back onto my ankle. There were no protests as Mason sat behind me, combing his fingers through my amazingly long hair.

"I know this is hard for you." he began. "It'll get better. Whether you like it or not, the Palace is your home again." I shook my head.

"It's not that. Everything I left behind-friends, family, the Pack-I abandoned them." I whispered. Mason gently took my chin and turned me to face him.

"You're strong, Sindri. Much stronger than he'll let you know." he said. I tried to look away from his electric blue eyes, but found that I couldn't.

"And incredibly stupid." I muttered. "Do you have any idea how he got me here? He managed to trick me into believing that my parents were alive. That they were here in the Palace."

Mason smiled. "Actually, they're within the walls." he informed me. "Look." His index finger directed my eyes to the window. Outside was my mother's favorite garden, filled with and trees that glowed when the moonlight struck their leaves. They came from over the mountains in the west.

It took me a moment to see what Mason had meant by 'within the walls'. Tucked in the corner of a secluded flowerbed sat two rectangular stone blocks of the color black. A pair of sarcophagi. Ivy climbed up the sides and baskets of fruit lined the end of the grave site as an offering to one of the greatest rulers in the the history of Arkenon.

It seemed as if King Gallahein had decided to honor his brother. I knew better. It was a display of power, a constant reminder of the horrible thing I had done. Tears sprung to my eyes, a scene I had been avoiding. The mere existance of my parents' graves was meant to break me. I was furious that it was working.

Mason brushed away the unwanted moisture and frowned. "We could forget, you know." he murmured. "It's possible to press your memories to the back of your mind. It would take a lot to remember anything." I thought about it for a moment, then stood and walked to my balcony. I hoped that the view would somehow help me make my final decision. As the universes would have it, it did. Just beyond the Palace walls, near the ruins of the cottage, was a group of familiar faces. Bryn, Ryon, and, of course, Tristan, watched me closely, their expressions hardened with the hate that radiated from their beings like heat from the sun.

It made sense. Too much sense. I was the enemy. They had every right to tell children bedtime stories about me, ones where I was the monster. Knowing my brother, my banishment would have already caused that to happen. I loosened my grip on my emerald necklace. It dangled from my slowly-unclenching fist.

In a swift movement, I strung it up on a westward-blowing wind in hopes of sending it to my pack. With the help of a strong undercurrent, it flew away, due to arrive at the paws of Kian... Unless the Pack hated me too. I could only pray that I would never be alone in the world.

If only I had realized that their loyalties would never change, that Ryon, Bryn, and Tristan's anger was not directed toward me, but to the one who kept me here. Then I might not have turned back to Mason and said:

"Do it. Before I change my mind." He grinned and took both my hands in his. He looked into my eyes, but past me at the same time.

"You heard her, Your Majesty. We have permission." he announced. I stepped back, horrified.

"Gallahein has a part in this?!" I cried. "He'll twist me! Change into a heartless beast! I felt the False King gain control over my tongue. "Calm her. I can't gain access to her head." Mason nodded. I tried to weasel my way to the exit, but there was no such luck.