Corey was speechless.
Davina smiled weakly through her tears. “I was sent here with false memories, a fake life. But… maybe that was mercy. Because I found you. And somehow, that saved me.”
Jared exhaled slowly, breaking the silence. “I knew I recognised you. You were once part of the Dark Court.”
Davina nodded.
He looked thoughtful, almost sad. “The Dark King will know something’s changed. If word spreads that you’re alive and free… he will hunt you. You must stay hidden.”
“I will,” she said firmly. “You have my word.”
Jared hesitated, then added, “And if you’re ever caught, you don’t know me. Understood?”
Davina smiled faintly. “Got it.”
He inclined his head in respect. “Then my work here is done.”
Before anyone could say another word, the air shifted a subtle ripple, like wind moving through silk. And just like that, Jared was gone.
Lucy turned to the others.
“Come on,” she said softly, guiding Davina toward the main room. “Let’s talk some more.”
As they walked, Davina’s hand lingered over Lucy’s for a moment., gratitude and a spark of something else. Hope.
As they walked away from the others, Corey cleared his throat.
“Erm, Lucy,” he said, shifting uncomfortably. “I think Davina needs a moment. Let me show her to where she’ll be staying from here on out.”
Lucy blinked, surprised. “Look at you giving orders now,” she teased with a grin. “Fine, but don’t keep her too long. We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
Corey gave her a small nod, hiding a smile. “Got it.”
Davina followed him down the hallway, her steps light but uncertain. The house felt vast compared to the tiny flat she had been living in. After everything she had endured, she still felt like she hadn’t fully left the darkness behind.
Corey stopped outside a guest room and opened the door. “Here we are,” he said, standing aside so she could step in first.
Davina hesitated at the threshold, her hand gripping the frame before she slowly opened the door. The room was warm, A bed sat neatly made with soft sheets that looked far too inviting. She could hear birds outside, faintly, that small sound almost made her chest ache.
“It’s… beautiful,” she said quietly.
Corey nodded. “I figured you could use something peaceful.”
She turned to him then, studying his face. He looked different calmer somehow, though still carrying that same weight in his eyes she’d always sensed. “I don’t know what to say,” she murmured. “After everything… I don’t even know how to start being normal again.”
“You don’t have to,” Corey replied, “Not yet. Just breathe. That’s enough for now.”
Davina smiled, the corners of her mouth trembling. “I don’t even know if I remember how to do that properly.”
“Then I’ll remind you,” he said softly.
Something in his tone cracked the wall she’d built around herself. Her shoulders dropped, and a tear she hadn’t felt coming rolled down her cheek. She brushed it away quickly feeling embarrassed.
Corey stepped forward, slow and careful, not touching her yet but close enough that she could feel his warmth. “Hey,” he said, his voice gentle. “You’re allowed to feel it. I mean, ten years of believing you were someone else, I mean is your name even Davina?”
She let out a breath that was half a laugh, half a sob. “Yes, that part is the same, Davina was my name then and is my name now” she looked up at him, eyes wet and glassy. “You always do that,” she said softly.
“Do what?”
