Page 19 of Royal Lies

But still, if I could prevent more memories from slipping out then it was still worth doing this. Pressing my lips together I amplified my magic to help prevent any further harm she might be experiencing from getting her memories back and to hopefully stop future memories from returning.

A moment later she was fluttering her eyes open with new light gleaming from them as she frowned, staring up at me with a puzzle written on her face, “You’ve lied to me before.”

Her golden eyes squinted as if she wasn't all too sure of this herself. Then her glowing eyes rolled back behind her lids. Rushing forward I barely managed to catch her limp body before it hit the soil.

Well fuck.

Looking around the thick trees I made sure no one else was around before I used my magic once more, this time instead of stopping her memories from returning I used a spell to make her forget what she’s remembered. Now by using this magic, which I don’t like to use but if I must I will, I can see through the memories because I was essentially taking them in for myself.

I could see myself and her arguing, one of those times she accused me of doing something she didn't like. I think this time was when I had omitted the fact that my younger brother, Flynn, was in fact back at the castle. During those times I had still been trying to prevent them from further meeting. After all, she'd just been through one heartbreak with that bastard of Blood and Fire. So what if he was the King of the Phoenix Court, he shouldn't have publically humiliated her like that, and if my brother were to dishearten her too, well I would be left at an awkward standing, wouldn't I?

No, I am not taking away her memories because she found out I had lied to her before. I am helpingholdthis memory for her until we find Flynn. If she were to remember him now, she would be terrified of what she had done, she-no-no.

Everything will be perfectly fine so long as she does not remember my younger brother. Yes. Yes, everything will be perfectly splendid so long as she does not remember him. She won't go mad, and she won't- No let's not think about that. Not about how she died about how she... fucking broke down and shattered in my hands, and... how she just... fucking disappeared from my life from all our lives from the whole realm. From-no-no stop- stop it, Eli! Get a grip of yourself. You are the soon-to-beKing of the Winter Wolves, do not fucking panic! Deep breaths, in and out. Calm yourself. Taking my own glamourous advice I breathed in... and out. In... and out. In... and out. Yes, so long as she does not remember anything besides what I need her to remember she will be fine, shewilllive.

Chapter 7

Luna

The second night was bone-chilling. Filled with the echoing howls of the shadow creatures. My wounds have healed a little on their own. The searing pain of each open injury was turning numb with every step I took. I had used some of the magic Eli had given me for our escape to heal a little more but I was sure he’d never intended for me to do that. I sighed, staring past the branches of leaves out into the distant Winter Wonderlands that awaited us. I could already feel the brisk chilling winds howling against my ear and the frostbite chewing my toes off. I could see the large clumps of puffed snow and the white desolate mountains of the Winter Court that awaited us.

“So, what did you see?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin with how close her voice was. It was like she was some kind of wraith with how silent her footsteps were. Catching myself at the last second I managed not to trip over the rock sunken into the dirt.

We were only midway towards the Winter Wonderlands but farther from those guards. They‘d bought the distraction as their voices faded moments after their footsteps headed toward the blazing tree. I‘d set it on fire in a way that my flames didn’t spread to the other trees in the vicinity. The guards must have still thought my magic was unstabled when they saw that fire. Not that it wasn't. Just not in the way they think. Instead of bursting out into blazing flames, it was more like I couldn’t summon the little magic I had.

I turned, meeting the smiling gleam of golden eyes in the pitch darkness. It was like the stars in the sky. I frowned, rolling my eyes. She wasn’t a star, if anything she was more like a meteor killing everything when it landed. The girl poutedlooking at me with puppy dog eyes, as if she could read my insulting thoughts about her. I narrowed my eyes wondering if she actually could. It wouldn’t have been beyond the realm of possibility. No, I‘m being too paranoid. She hasn't recovered her memories, thanks to the boy. She’s not quite back yet. Because if she was then I knew for sure she wouldn't have just sat back and let those guards live. The girl I knew would have ended their lives. "Leave no loose ends", that‘s what she'd said once.

Relax, I reminded myself. She doesn’t have her memories.

Remember, she was never one for the long game anyway.

Sighing, I sped up my pace.

“Oh come, just tell me. One little secret, that's all. Please.” She loomed ever closer towards me as her big eyes blinked rapidly. No matter how hard she tried to look innocent I won’t ever fall for it again. I stared daggers at those pouty lips of hers,everything about her was fake. From her hair to her toes, I had to remember that. Memories or not.

Still, how did she know I had a vision? No, she can't be referring to the vision I just had... Unless. That's right she must know I am still an oracle that's why they must have come after me, but no, that doesn't quite sit right. As I pondered the question she leaned even closer, to the point where my breath intertwined with hers.

Hasn't she ever heard of personal space?

I scowled as I leaned away from her beaming grin, though what was there to be happy for I had no idea. I tried walking farther from her but it didn't matter because she was right at my heels. Trailing behind me like a hawk hunting its prey. But I was no mouse.

“Come on, I know you're an oracle. What visions have you seen so far? Anything bout’ me? Eli told me you were an oracle, and that you could help us, come on. He said our fates or something were intertwined so you should've seen somethingbout' me right?” She raddled on, her eyes lighting up with hope, hands clasped behind her back as if she were the one being patient with me.

Hold on, she doesn’t know?

Wait, Eli told her I was an oracle?So, she didn't know what I was before now, then...

A realization came across me as I stared at the boy, Eli.

By the gods!

A smile etched my lips as I pondered the thought, I was right. If that little break, the boy made us take wasn’t suspicious enough this new information certainly was. If he was manipulating her memories then. I nearly giggled at the thought, I might have found my leverage against these two. For now, I'll have to wait it out.

Of course, I had my suspicions before but with these two one needed to be more careful.

Being an oracle I can see the future and the past, not just of me but of people that might have major impacts on this realm.

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