Page 127 of A Blightress of Wrath
Istepped back, leaving space between us which begged to close and stated, “Ihave been able to reverse time sinceIwas fourteen years old.”
Hisbrow furrowed. “Reversetime?How?”
“I…Idon’t know exactly, but just like with all the other spellsI’vemade, this one works just as well.Ican reverse time by one minute, andIneed to prove it to you.”
Hefolded his arms across his chest, nodding to me once.
Iignored the shiver that ran through me, ignored the ever-stinging jab of guiltIheld about too much meddling with time.Iwondered briefly what theBlightresswould think of me reversing time twice in one night. “Thinkof a memory or a thought.Oneyou’ve kept to yourself and only you know of.”
Hethought for a moment whileItried to keep track of the seconds that ticked by.Henodded once, confirming he had something in mind.
“Tellme what it is.Iwill reverse time to the beginning of this conversation and then tell you what you’re thinking of.”
Hegave a grunt of disbelief. “Fine.Iwas thinking of the moment beforeIjumped into theHatcherypool and you were lying in the sun, drying yourself across the white stone.Ithought to myself then thatIcould get through every one of my days, every battleIhad left to fight, if it just meantIgot to see you at the end of it.”
Ismiled in my agony, most of me wanting to stay here, to go to him and hold him, promising he would.
Itook a deep breath, murmuring, “Revertaydenen tepiore.”
Iblinked, focusing my gaze asThevinasked, “Reversetime?How?”
Igulped, needing to recreate this conversation as closely to what it had been before. “Idon’t know exactly, but just like the other spellsI’vemade, this one works just as well.”Ipaused, thinking of what elseI’dsaid. “Ican reverse time by one minute and prove it to you.”
Heagain and for the first time, folded his arms across his chest, nodding for me to continue.
“Thinkof a memory—”Ichoked for a moment, hoping he’d think of the same thing. “Thinkof a memory or a thought you’ve kept to yourself so no one else knows.”
Iwaited for him to confirm he had it with a nod.
Ishuffled closer slightly, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’rethinking of how you looked down at me drying in the sun at theHatcherypool.”
Hiseyes narrowed and he tilted his head to the side, butIwent on.
“You’rethinking about how you thought to yourself that you could get through all of your days, all of your battles left to fight, if you could just see me at the end of them.”
Disbeliefcrossed his face and he shook his head slightly. “Youcan’t know that.”
Istepped closer, closing our gap, reaching for his arms tightly flexed across his chest. “Ido know that.Iknow because you told me.”
“I’ve…never admitted that to you.”
“Youdid,”Ipersisted, slipping my hands into his, still tucked across his chest. “We’vealready started this conversation.Itold youIwould ask you this question, you’d give me your answer, andI’dreverse time, able to tell you the memory you had chosen.”
“You…you’ve been able to do this for three years?” he asked low, the slightest hint of frustration in his tone.
“Yes.”
“Whoknows?”
“You.”
“Notyour mother orPompeii?”
Ishook my head. “I’venever told anyone before now.”
“Themuri,” he started, clarity reaching his eyes, “theBlightress…you knew she was coming because you had reversed time.Youknew she would come, and you saved us all.”
“Ittook me two tries, but yes.Ihad to stop what would have happened.”
