Page 68 of These Fractured Bonds

“We have no gods in Izmari, but our Great Tree may as well be our one deity. We believe we came to be from it, blessed by the dew of its leaves and nurtured by its holy sap.”

“Where is it?”

“Its location, if it ever existed, has been lost to history.” Then, as if the thought came to him, he added, “Although, if anyone did know, it would be our queen.”

“It’s beautiful.”

They continued in silence after that. Eventually, they reached stairs that seemed to stretch for miles before they finally arrived at a single stone door. There was no handle. Yareli raised an eyebrow at Augrys. He lifted his finger, asking her to wait, then placed his hand on the door. It glowed, blinding her with the sudden light. A bitter breeze blew her hair across her face, and an open doorway revealed the evening sky.

Augrys stepped outside, his hands in his pockets, and turned to her. “Coming?”

The old ache in her chest resurfaced at the sight. He looked so much like August; she lost her sense of time and place for a brief moment and thought they were back in the human realm. But there was still a gaping hole in her memories; it oozed a black-colored substance, tarnishing her memory vault—turning a portion of the lake dark. She knew, without having to touchthe tar-like liquid, that it contained memories ofher. Memories of her family, her childhood—what had essentially nurtured her into who she was. Although she had remembered August and their time together in college, she was still missingherself. All she had was who she was now.

And it would have to be enough. Because deep down, she was afraid of touching it—afraid of what it contained. Something told her it wasn’t good. She sent a mental apology to her mom—the only one shehadfully remembered. Her daughter was a coward.

“Are you alright?” Augrys had come closer, a frown on his face.

Embarrassed, Yareli jumped into action, propelling herself through the door into the cold night. She walked past him, hiding her emotional turmoil from him.

“Yeah, never better.”

There was a pause, and she had the uncomfortable feeling that he knew she was lying.

“Let me cast a warming spell for you, and then we can go.”

Go where? She wanted to ask, but she said nothing, allowing him to cast the spell. Warmth flooded her fingers, and she stopped shivering. Magic truly was wonderful. To think it was at the edge of her fingers… If only she learned how to use it, she could be powerful.

“I know a spot,” Augrys said. “It’ll be a short hike.”

“That’s fine.”

“Follow me then.”

He turned toward the right, walking along the edge of the mountain. It was wide enough for a single person. Yareli walked behind him. A small yellow orb appeared by her, lighting up the path for her.Considerate—that’s what she liked about him. The thought came to her like an unwanted pest buzzing around her ears, and she swatted it away. Entrenched in her own rumination—stuck replaying the same accusations in her head like a broken record—she missed when they reached a smallclearing next to a ledge. A log lay near the edge. A chill crept along her veins, and her feet slowed. It looked exactly as it had in her dream—the log, the view, the ledge. Whoever that Fae was, whatever that dream was, she no longer doubted the truth of it. She had to go to the capital.

Augrys sat and looked up toward the sky. He painted a forlorn picture—a solitary Fae, surrounded by darkness, illuminated by the moonlight. She wondered then if he had wings and if he wished to fly. Where would he fly to? She was careful to leave a chunk of space between them and joined him in stargazing.

The stars had a way of grounding her, reminding her of her own insignificance in the universe. The worst of her despair would pass; her turmoil would settle; her life would be set on its correct course once again. Yet, a nagging worm ate its way through the assurances, asking her what ifthiswas how her life was meant to go—lost, hunted, powerless. She wanted to reject it, to reject it so fiercely she’d burn the strings of fate themselves.

“Teach me how to use magic,” she said.

“Is that why you insisted on accompanying us to the capital?”

She looked at him only to find that he had already been looking at her. She resisted squirming under his scrutiny. “I won’t survive another encounter with Tuom.”

Yareli knew the truth of her words as she said them; the next time Tuom “collected” her, she would cease to be.

“I can’t beat him with daggers alone. I need magic.”

“You could remain here; Leo could teach you the basics.”

She was prepared for his question. “Erick won’t be here. I want to fix my memories, but there have already been so many interruptions.”

Augrys considered her words; his eyes scanned her own. He dipped his head. “I’ll teach you. We’ll start with the basics after tomorrow.”

Relief mixed with glee flooded her; she smiled. “Thanks.”

He returned to his silent vigil over the stars, and her tongue burned to ask the question:Who are you really? August or Augrys?