I raised my hand to my head, suddenly dizzy. I knewthat,but I didn’t know the name of the woman who brought me breakfast each day?
I dropped my hand as grandfather glanced up. “Danica,” he murmured. “Take a seat.”
I sat, watching as he signed the paper in front of him before setting it aside. His eyes—the same color as mine—were intent as he scanned my face.
“How are you feeling?”
“Fine.”
Silence.
I sighed as he waited me out. Another thing I should’ve remembered? Grandfather had spies everywhere.
“I’ve had a few… challenges,” I admitted. “But I’m already feeling better. I should be back to my normal self soon.”
Was I imagining the flicker of amusement in his eyes?
I really was going crazy.
“Good. I wanted to speak to you about a potential opportunity. I know you’ve been eager to prove yourself.”
I flushed, and he laughed. “Ambition isn’t a bad thing, granddaughter. Although why you feel the need to compete with Pischiel instead of uniting with him is beyond me.” He grinned. “If you were to mate with him, both my granddaughter and my son would one day rule.”
His gaze dropped to the birthmark on my wrist, his expression hardening. I resisted the urge to cover up the gold mark. I’d had it for as long as I could remember, and it was the reason why I usually tried to wear long-sleeved dresses in his presence.
My grandfather was a kind, level-headed man, but for some reason, catching sight of the birthmark sometimes made him grow enraged.
“Remove it,” Lucifer roared, spittle flying from his mouth.
“I’m trying,” the witch snapped, but even I could hear the fear in her voice. “There’s no way to remove it, Your Majesty. You’ll have to–”
“Danica?”
I smiled, shaking myself from the strange nightmare I’d had last night.
“I told you I’d give him a chance, and I meant it. I’m even planning to take a walk with him this morning.”
He smiled back. “Good. Now, about this opportunity. I need to send an ambassador to Heretix soon. Nacheran is pushing his limits, and he needs to be reminded that he rules only because I allow him to. You will be your usual sweet self, while also reminding him of what will happen if he displeases his monarch.”
“Of course.” Heretix was one of the largest territories in our kingdom. There were rumors that our enemies were courting Nacheran, attempting to sway him and his forces to their sides.
“When will I go?”
“When I determine that you have recovered from your little injury. You must be at your best in order to sway him. If I have to visit, the loss of life will be enormous.”
I swallowed. No pressure. “Okay. I’m almost recovered,” I lied. “I’ll be ready.”
“Good.”
I got to my feet and rounded the huge desk, pressing a kiss against his cheek. “You can trust me, grandfather.”
“I know. Now go take your walk with Pischiel.”
I rolled my eyes at him, ignoring his low chuckle. But my mind was racing as I left his office.
Grandfather would never allow me to take the trip if he knew I could barely find my way around our home. If he knew I was having trouble remembering names and faces. If he found out about the déjà vu.
I’d wanted to make him proud since I was a child. So why wasn’t my brain healing from my injury? His healers were the best in the underworld. If I was going to convince him I was healthy enough to be his ambassador, I would have to compensate for my own deficits. And that meant relearning everything I’d forgotten.
