The Remembered (Elements II)

Chapter 46

Pablo didn’t know what to say or do. He could barely take his eyes off his sister. She was safe, and home again. At last, he took her hand, and led her onto the open space, taking her for the dance. She obliged him, smiling as she had once done before, and he felt himself smile in response. He was so glad she was home.

“You’re okay, Kitty?”

She grinned, almost laughing at him. “Yes, Pablo. I’m fine.”

“They…” He hesitated, unsure if he wanted to bring back the memories if she’d pushed and locked them away. She anticipated his question.

“I’m fine, big brother. There’s no need to worry about me now. I’m not hurt.”

He let go of her with one hand to tug her hair, making her laugh. “I’m so glad you’re home,” he told her. “Now everything will be back to normal again.”

Something flashed through her eyes, maybe sadness, maybe regret, but it was gone too quickly before he could work it out. Then, she nodded.

“Yes,” she said softly. “It can.”

He disregarded the strange expression in her eyes, putting it down to what she’d been through, and twirled her around the room. As much as he wanted to get her alone, so they could be reunited properly, it was not to be. He had to stay with his guests, although he knew that she would soon leave. She’d never enjoyed the banquets and balls.

“You’ve been well, Pablo?”

He studied her for a long moment, ignoring the other couples on the floor. “I’ve been worried,” he said softly. “It’s been a long few weeks.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t be home sooner. Isla wouldn’t let me.”

“But you were safe.” He tugged her hair again, gentler this time. “That was what kept me calm most of the time.”

A reluctant smile grew on her face, and she prodded his stomach, making him flinch. “I heard you’d lost your temper.”

He went red, lowering his gaze. He couldn’t look at her. “I did,” he admitted.

“Been a while since you’ve done that, big brother.”

“Yeah, I know.” He fell silent, unsure quite what to say now. She seemed to be back to her old self, but there was something in her amber eyes, some knowledge that hadn’t been there before, and that made him almost afraid. He wasn’t sure what to expect from her anymore.

“Pablo?”

He looked at her, noticing with alarm that she was pale. Slowly, he moved them both to the edge of the room, where they stopped moving.

“You okay, little sister?”

She nodded. “Yes, just tired. If you don’t mind…?”

“Of course not, Cat. Do what you need to do.”

She smiled at him, reaching up to ruffle his hair, mindful of the slim golden crown. “I will talk to you later,” she promised. “You can ask me anything. Just not right now. Please?”

He nodded, letting go of her hand. She slipped away through a side door, and he watched her go, too reminded of the last time, where she hadn’t returned.