“Perhaps.” Florence shrugged. “Charlotte has no reason to lie, but we will never know for certain. There is no record of the owners of the Bloodlake Castle before Kane. And Charlotte doesn’t even remember her family name...”
“She doesn’t?”
“Reborn children do not remember their parents, do not remember their prior identity. It is merely a shell of their past.” Florence sighed. “She has been in this life for a long while, Cordelia. Even for bitten vampires, memories eventually fade.”
“Does that mean—” I start, my heart galloping against my chest.
“Yes.” A sad smile appeared on Florence’s face, the snowflakes freezing on her lashes. “In many years from now, you will forget everything from your human life.”
“Do you still remember yours?” I dared ask.
She shook her head, resuming her walk through the Faris’ streets. “Only what I have written in my journals after my new life began.” The snow crunched under our boots.
“I am so sorry,” my voice turned into a whisper.
“Don’t be, Cordelia.” Florence’s voice dropped an octave, a slight crease in between her eyebrows deepened. “I often deemed it a curse—an unfortunate loss. I knew it was coming for me once I started to forget the faces of my dear ones.
“I was mad. I screamed at the Moon for stealing the last from me.” Florence sighed. “But now watching you, Roxanne, and Francis struggle so much... I can see it’s a blessing. It’s a blessing to forget what it’s like to lose your loved ones.” She caught a snowflake in her palm, her eyes studying the small creation before it melted. “Come, we will be late.” Her voice shone bright anew as she held my hand, pulling me towards Simon’s tavern.
Chapter 24. Part of The Deal.
The tavern buzzed despite such silence on the streets of Faris; laughter and dancing prevailed in the space. A group of musicians played their fiddles and drums in the corner of the tavern, their harmony reaching every ear within.
“This way.” Florence walked me through the dancing bodies, towards the table occupied by Roxanne and Francis.
Drinks in their hands, the pair did not notice us at first. Yet, when Francis’ gaze met mine and his lips stretched into a smirk, my body caught aflame. He nodded in greeting, urging the flowers within me to bloom.
“What took you so long?” Roxanne gave Florence a kiss on the cheek when the woman sat by her side, leaving the only available chair to me.
“We went for a little stroll on the way here. You know how much I love snowing Faris.” Florence removed her cloak, letting it rest on the back of her chair. “It is truly magical.”
“It is indeed.” Roxanne pushed a bowl from the center of the table to Florence. Bright red filled the contents. “I thought you might want something warm.”
“Mhm.” Florence smelled the contents of the bowl. “Pumpkin soup, my favorite!” She beamed. “Thank you, love.” She started at her meal.
Despite the delightful aroma coming from her soup, the crimson tint spoiled it for me.
“I didn’t know what you would like,” Francis explained the lack of a meal in front of me.
“I am not hungry, thank you.” I followed Florence’s lead and took the snowy cloak off my shoulders, settling onto the chair next to Francis. “What have you two been talking about?” I glanced at Roxanne and Francis, hoping my obvious attempt at changing the subject would be left unmentioned.
“Mostly how foolish Roxanne is.” Francis shrugged, pouring crimson from the pitcher into his goblet.
Roxanne’s lips turned into a mischievous smile. “Actually,” she started. “We were talking about you, Cordelia!” Her voice shone with an unnatural—to her—charm. She brought the drink to her lips, her eyes glowing with larkiness.
