Cinderella: A Fractured Fairytale

Sixty-Four

Ana's POV

Chapter 64

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I stared into the flames, mind spinning. Why had my heart cried out against me as I threw the necklace into the coals?

What was wrong with Eric? Why had he seemed familiar when I'd woken up?

Why did he seem to know me?

Too many strange things. All together, they couldn't be a coincidence.

With sudden desperation, I grabbed a stick and poked at the fire, searching for the necklace. Where is it, where is it, where is it? My panic grew as I was unable to find it.

Suddenly, a glint of gold and ruby flashed from the burning embers at the base of the fire. There! I hooked the stick through the chain and pulled it out, hastily grabbing it in my hand.

It was incredibly hot, so hot that I dropped it to the ground. But other than that, it was okay.

It's safe. My heart rate slowed as I picked it up, prepared this time for the heat, and held it tightly, pressing it to my chest right over my heartbeat. It's safe.

Then my brows furrowed in confusion. Why do I care so much? What's going on?

I brought the necklace up closer to my face, examining it more carefully. It was actually very beautiful--not how I'd seen it at first glance. Was there something engraven on the back?

Yes! There was.....

What did it say?

The writing was so small. Too small to be easily read. I moved closer still, trying to discern the letters.

To Anastasia, from Eric, it read.

What?

My thoughts raced, all coming to the same conclusion.

I know him.

The realization slammed into me with the force of a tidal wave, and with it came the memories flooding back.

That day in the forest when I'd met him. The time he'd saved me from the wolf. Him telling me about his heartstone. The ball.

Everything.

What have I done? I was breathing hard as I suddenly realized what I had done to him. No. No.

The last memory hit me.

Ethan, standing in front of me as I stared at him, trying to fight off the drowsiness overtaking me. "What did you do to me?" I whispered, backing away slowly.

"It's a temporary enchantment." he replied smoothly. "A kiss will wake you."

"What?" I fought the urge to close my eyes. "Why?"

He narrowed his eyes, "All I need to do it cause Eric enough pain that he breaks. The easiest way to do that is through you."

"What?" I took another step back.

His eyes glinted coldly. "To be woken, you need to be kissed by someone who loves you. But if you don't truly love him in return, you'll awaken with no memories of him. When Eric gets you back, I'll make sure he knows this."

My knees buckled and I sat down hard on the floor, yawning. Stay awake, Ana. "I'm not afraid. I do love him."

Ethan gave a strange, sharp laugh. "The problem with these enchantments is..." he knelt beside me, "they're so faulty." He shook his head sadly. Now his voice was a soft whisper. "When he kisses you, you will immediately lose all your memories of him. Only love can bring them back. However, love is based on patience; it can't work miracles in an instant. It will take perhaps twenty-four hours for you to regain your memories of Eric. And by the time you do..." His voice grew softer as my strength drained away and I sank back, my eyes closing. "It will be too late."

No.

I felt tears running down my cheeks. "No." I whispered aloud. "No."

It couldn't be too late.

Almost before I knew what I was doing, I had turned and was running into the trees in the direction Eric had gone. Please don't let me be too late.

Branches whipped at my face and tore at me clothes, but I ignored the pain and kept going.

I stumbled over a tree root and fell, gasping for breath. I was on the edge of a clearing. In it were two figures.

Eric!

I gasped and tried to call out his name, but I was too out of breath. I had landed on a sharp rock, and all my wind had been driven out of me.

No. This can't be happening. I have to do something!

But I was helpless. I watched, agonized, as the figures disappeared, immaterializing into the blackness.

I had failed.

It was too late.