Page 28 of Crowned

“Congratulations.”

“Shall I…Can I…How much can I share with Malia and the others?”

“That’s up to you. You’ll know when the time is right. Now, wake Malia and prepare to leave. When you step back through the portal, your memories will be unlocked. Time is of the essence.”

I gently lay Malia down and touch her forehead, whispering a few words of magic. Her eyes flutter open, and she looks up at me, confused but trusting. “It’s time to go, my love,” I tell her softly.

Should I tell her? Should I wait? Could the queen be mistaken?

Malia nods, and together we rise, ready to face whatever challenges await us back in Aerwyna.

As we turn to leave, I cast one last glance at Yemaya. She stands tall, a solitary figure against the backdrop of the ocean, her duty and sacrifice etched into her very being.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice carrying the weight of all our shared history.

Yemaya nods, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Go, and may the stars and the seas guide you.”

With Malia by my side, we step through the portal, leaving the courtyard and Yemaya behind. The future of Aerwyna awaits, and we are ready to meet it head-on.

The Elder’s expression is etched with exhaustion and resolve. Part of me wants to tell him to rest, that Reef and I can unlock our memories some other time, but something stops me from uttering a word.

Urgency.

There’s a real sense of danger, of an invisible clock ticking down, and I know we don’t have time to wait for his recovery.

Reef stands beside me, his eyes betraying the same mix of fear and anticipation I feel. Bhodi, though out of the hospital for weeks now, looks pale and fragile, but there’s a fire in his gaze that wasn’t there before.

Elder Halim takes a deep breath. “This will hurt,” he says softly, “but it’s necessary. You need to remember.”

He begins chanting, his voice a low, melodic hum that resonates through the room. I feel a tingle at the base of my skull, growing into a burning sensation that spreads down my spine. I grit my teeth, my hands clenching into fists.

Then the memories flood in.

I’m back in the grand hall of the palace, the marble floors cool beneath my bare feet. My queen stands before me, radiant and powerful, her eyes shimmering with an ethereal light. I feel a surge of pride, devotion, and love. She places her hand on my shoulder, her touch sending a wave of warmth through me.

“You are one of my most trusted,” she says, her voice like a melody. “You will protect Aerwyna, no matter the cost.”

I nod, my heart swelling with purpose. “I will, my queen.”

The scene shifts. I’m on the battlefield, the clash of steel and the cries of the wounded filling the air. I fight with everything I have, my sword a blur of silver as I defend my home. The queen’s face flashes before me, her smile giving me strength. I know I must survive, for her, for Aerwyna.

Another flash, and I’m in a secluded garden, the scent of jasmine heavy in the air. My heart aches, torn between my duty to the queen and my love.

The memories come faster now, a torrent of emotions and images. Malia’s laugh, the warmth of her embrace, the way she looked at me as if I was her entire world. And then the pain of losing her, the emptiness that followed.

I’m back in the room with Elder Halim, my body trembling from the intensity of the memories. I feel like I’m being torn apart from the inside, the conflicting emotions of duty and love warring within me.

Reef’s hand on my shoulder brings me back to the present. “Cove, are you alright?”

I nod, but the words catch in my throat. “I…I remember.”

Bhodi looks at me, his eyes filled with empathy. “It’s a lot to take in,” he says quietly.

Elder Halim steps forward, his face grave. “I know this is difficult, but we need you to focus. We have a mission, and time is running out.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The memories of my queen, my duty, and my love for Malia swirl in my mind, a chaotic mix of devotion and heartbreak. How can I reconcile the two? How can I honour my duty to Aerwyna while still holding on to the love I felt for Malia?

“We need to find the mole,” Reef says, his voice firm. “We need to stop them before it’s too late.”

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