Page 100 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

But then a series of memories hit me that weren’t my own. Cassius is lying in bed crying, begging the stars for me back. Cassius stared at portraits of him and me. Then it showed me staring at him like he was a stranger. I was seeing life through the eyes of Wisp, of my soul. My chest ached as I watched her look after Cassius and how distraught he was.

Stars, he didn’t leave our bed for months when I died. He looked so lost and confused that I couldn’t help the guilt that formed in mychest. He was so lonely—so hurt.

The next memories were Exile, followed by the trials. I watched myself die in the trials over and over. I watched Cassius staring at me like he loved me, and I looked at him like a stranger.

My mind raced with moments of my life I thought I would never remember again. Things I had prayed to remember over the years. Now they were back, and I realized how much I had been missing. All these precious moments with Cassius that had been forgotten. It would have been a horrible fate to forget these memories.

Cassius flashed through my mind like my curse knew how badly I wanted to remember him the most. Then everything went dark. I wanted Cassius to come back.

Slowly, voices started to penetrate the darkness. At first, I thought they were part of the memories, but then I realized that they were happening in real life. Part of me wanted to stay in this beautiful place and watch Cassius and me forever.

“Is she fucking dead yet?” Gwyn snapped. “We had all the healers we know come and look at her, and they can’t find anything wrong with her.”

“Gwyn, shut the fuck up,” Jesper snapped. His voice made memories of him beating me break through the peaceful darkness I was suspended in.

I wanted to wake up. I didn’t want to remember this. Sitting up quickly, I gasped loudly; everyone gathered around me as I lay in my bed, jumped and gasped.

“Fuck!” my father yelled as he straightened his ridiculous crown on top of his head. They all stared at me as I glanced around. It felt as if I was still dreaming, but I knew I wasn’t. “Thea?”

I shook my head and stared at them before looking down at my arms. My marriage bond drew my attention, and I instantly felt like my chest would cave in on how much I wanted to see Cassius.

“Why are you all watching me sleep?” I glanced up at them.

Gwyn scoffed, and I ignored her.

“Sleep?” Jesper looked confused. “You’ve been passed out for ten days.”

My memories felt like minutes to replay in front of my eyes, but in reality, it took days. Shaking my head, I tried to seem confused.

“I don’t understand.” I lied.

“We don’t either.” My father frowned. “We found you on the floor. Do you feel alright?”

I moved my stiff body but then nodded.

“Fine, although I feel tired. I don’t remember feeling sick.”

They all looked at each other, wondering what the fuck was going on, but they would never suspect what I had done. My family and Jesper had always underestimated me, and I never thought I would be happy about it, but I was in this moment.

“I’d like to shower and eat.”

“Right, we will have the kitchen make food. It will be in the great room.” My father nodded, and they all left wondering what the fuck happened.

As soon as the door shut, I smiled. My body was sore and stiff from being in bed for so long, but a hot bath would cure that.

Instinctively, I looked around for Wisp but remembered it was me. A new sense of happiness coursed through me. I knew I needed to plan how to fulfill the prophecy so that I could be with Cassius. My heart ached as I stepped into the scalding bath. Cassius watched me die over and over. He had to be so lost each time that happened.

How could he be so strong when I looked at him like I didn’t know him? Like he was my enemy when he had never truly been.

I got out of the bath and stared at my clothing options. Disgust filled me as I put on my blue captain uniform. Taking a moment, I tried to get into the headspace toface the fae I hated the most in this realm. My behavior and words had to continue to be confused.

Taking a deep breath, I headed for the great room. They were all waiting for me like they fucking cared for me. The smell of the food filled the room, and I hurried to the seat at the end of the table away from them all. I ate like a starved man. Manners and politeness went straight out the window as I devoured everything in sight.

"Breathe before you choke,” my father sighed.

I nodded and slowed down.

“So, what did I miss while I was sleeping?”

---