Page 35 of These Fractured Bonds

“Um. I’m Yareli.”

The corners of his mouth twitched up. “I’m August.”

Silence stretched between them. Not too surprising; Yareli didn’t know of any talking walls.

“I think you can help me. I don’t remember you, but there’s one thing I know for certain—you can get me home.”

“I can promise you I will.”

His tone carried a quiet conviction that loosened a knot in her stomach, and she trusted he would.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Anything.”

Ever since Erick had revealed that August and she had been friends, she had been toying with the question. Now, faced with the person who had all the answers, she was nervous. She inhaled. She had to know.

She bit her lip. “How did we become friends? I mean, I’m human, and you’re Fae.”

“We met by chance in college.” He didn’t elaborate further, but it was enough to break her restraint, the dam on her questions.

“Why were you there? I thought Fae couldn’t travel to the human world. And why did Tuom kidnap me?”

The temperature in the room plummeted, and the wall that had been August became a steep mountain covered in ice. Words of regret sat on the tip of her tongue. But to her surprise, he answered.

“Because of me.”

His concession stunned her.

“What do you—”

“I’m sorry.”

August blinked out of existence, leaving Yareli with more questions than answers, and a resounding ache that even Erick’s painkiller couldn’t mask. It didn’t make any sense. If August was the reason for her damnation, why was she certain that he would be her salvation? The only person who could answer her, however, had fled. It soured the excitement of the reunion, and she dropped her head in her hands, running her fingers through her hair. If her memories weren’t fucked, things would be different. She wouldn’t be the only one out of the loop.

“No use despairing,” she muttered.

She picked up her spoon, determined to eat everything. Now that she had a doctor, she would double her efforts to fix her memories. After finishing her food, Yareli walked out of thekitchen and found everyone seated at the dining table. Her attention caught on one individual.

“Bri!” She rushed over and hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“Of course.”

“Leo told me you went to the Water Court.”

“I went to notify August and Erick. It was a last-minute adjustment.”

Yareli pulled away from Bri, giving Leo a disapproving look. Why had he insisted on keeping Bri’s orders from her? He gave her a shrug, and she rolled her eyes. Fine, he could keep those secrets to himself… for now. More important was the meeting that had obviously been occurringwithouther. She scanned the rest of the table, pretending August’s presence didn’t bother her. He seemed to be doing the same; the intensity in his gaze had died down, but his eyes never strayed far from her. He was, to her wry amusement, like a popsicle—cold and frozen through and through.

The room was silent. Erick refused to meet her gaze. His attention darted from one corner of the room to another. Leo leaned back on his chair, tilting it precariously close to tipping, but Bri—she held firm. She sent a pointed look at August. But Yareli knew he would not cave. She directed her attack to the only person in the room whowould.

“Erick, what are you talking about?” she asked.

He jumped, sporting a grimace on his face. “Come on. Don’t ask me.”

“And why not?”

“Because… Well, I’m trying to be on my best behavior, and you’re ruining it!”