Page 107 of These Fractured Bonds

“Careful.” Augrys’s voice came from her left, surprising her.

Yareli accepted his help to settle against her headboard and groaned. She had been dreaming, but it was as if she had gotten zero rest.

“How long have you been here?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“Not long. I came to check on you guys, and I found both of you passed out.”

Sunlight no longer streamed in through her windows. “What time is it?”

“It’s about five o’clock. How are you feeling?”

“Like a truck ran me over.”

She rubbed her eyes, and she remembered her dream. Realization dawned on her; she had remembered her family. She thought about her mom, dad, and brother, and it all came to her with some clarity. She was the eldest, currently attending college. She was in her junior year, and she lived in a shared apartment with two others. With the return of her memories came something so dreadful, so anxiety-inducing, that her voice shook when she asked.

“Augrys,” she started. “How fucked am I?”

“What?”

Her chest tightened. “My rent. How fucked is it?”

Before he answered, she did the calculations. She had been gone a couple of months, and her bank account had only enough for the next month’s rent.She was so fucked.

She started mumbling to herself, her panic rising. “Oh my god, I need to get home. My stuff. My brother’s probably worried sick. He must have received the eviction notice. My dad’s going to kill me, but only after my mom does.”

“Yareli, breathe.” Augrys’s face came into focus again. “I took care of your rent.”

“You did?”

“Yes. Your room is waiting for you when you return.”

“What about my family? What do they know?”

“They’re doing well. They think you’re doing a study abroad program in Europe for literature.”

Yareli searched his eyes, remembering how she had loved looking into them, and she let her shoulders drop. She licked her dry lips, letting the truth fall from them. “I remember now.”

He didn’t say anything, choosing to get her water from her pitcher next to her bed. His back was turned to her when he finally responded.

“That’s a relief.”

She blinked. She told him she remembered, but he didn’t react. Was this his answer to her question during their visit to the Curse Eater? Or had he not known that she had liked him? She thanked him for the water, drinking it in a few gulps. She peered at him; he looked impassive as always. Hadn’t they agreed to talk about it when she remembered? She knew she hadn’t imagined that moment on the Curse Eater’s mountain; she knew what she had seen in his eyes then—desire, longing, and maybe something else. If he didn't want to acknowledge it, then there was no reason to continue going down this path; she had made her choice earlier.

She asked, “How’s Erick?”

“His magic core is exhausted, but he should recover with rest. I’ll take him to his room.”

He stood, shaking Erick’s shoulder until he woke up.

“Reli?” Erick said, his face scrunching in concern.

She jumped to reassure him, saying, “I’m okay. You should rest.”

“I need to check your vitals.”

Augrys helped him to his feet. “I already did. She’s okay. Let’s get you to bed.”

“You’re the best,” he mumbled, leaning onto Augrys for support. “Did you know that?”