Page 39 of The Last Guardian

But…

“Now that he has drunk your blood, I don’t know what he’s capable of,” he said, his gaze shifting slightly, changing the subject. “Maybe he can trace you.”

My eyes widen.

No. If Haedeon could trace me, did that mean I wouldn’t be safe wherever I went?

“Why did you meet with him in the first place?” Zaidkiel asked, searching for the truth in my eyes. Like he was hoping to learn something—something he had been searching for for a long time.

“I had questions about something.”

“Do you meet with him often?” he persisted.

“Why do you want to know that?” I snapped, my veins boiling at his questions. “It’s none of your business.”

“Easy there.” Zaidkiel grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “I was wondering if you had ever met him alone. Maybe he’s already drunk your blood, and you simply don’t remember.”

Remember.

The word alone made my heart skip a beat. Could Haedeon have erased some of my memories, too? The commander gulped his drink with no idea of the impact of his words.

I frowned. “Could he—” I swallowed hard, squirming on the sofa. “Could he be able to erase memories?”

His eyes drifted to me again. “Possibly.”

Was I going to tell him? Could I trust Zaidkiel? Why would I?

But he had saved me in those woods, and he was revealing some things about the world to me right now. Besides, I knew his true identity now, an advantage I could use against him. Why had he trusted me with this?

“Princess?” His voice brought me back to reality.

“I—” I stared at him, hesitating. “I may have forgotten some memories.”

Zaidkiel’s eyes searched mine; curiosity crossed his green gaze. “And do you think these memories are connected to him?” he asked, his eyes dark.

Could it be? I had never spent time alone with Haedeon—not that I could recall, at least. I was sure I lost memories involving Nevan and the day my mother died. But I wasn’t going to tell him that. It wasn’t his business.

But Haedeon had been evasive—so evasive when I asked if memories could be wiped clean…

“Maybe. I’m not certain,” I said, biting my lower lip.

“Is that one of the things you need to take care of? Once you’re back in Vallen?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t concern you a bit,” I spat.

“And how exactly do you plan to do it?” he asked, curious.

“I’ll find a solution eventually,” I replied, shivering, before changing the subject. “Why are the High Mages still guarding Myrh then? If the magic isn’t banished there.”

Zaidkiel gritted his teeth. “They’re also trying to drain what’s left in Myrh.”

“Magic still exists in Myrh? You know all of this, yet you do nothing to stop them?”

“Of course I do. But it’s none of your business. You’re not involved. As you’ve made clear, you have your own mission to accomplish.” A vein throbbed in his temple.

“What are you up to? Did Arthur know about all of this?”

Zaidkiel rose from the chair, each step towards me deliberate and calculated. He crouched in front of me, framing me with his arms on either side. His gaze locked onto mine, piercing straight into my soul.