A blond fae woman in a heavy fur coat stands by the campfire nearby, watching. Her dark eyes narrow as they meet mine.
She knows. I don’t know how, but she does.
Caeo takes my face in his hands, bringing it to his. He doesn’t kiss me, but presses his forehead against mine, our noses touching. Tears glisten in his eyes.
His blue eyes, glowing brilliantly in the darkness. Unfamiliar, yet perfectly him.
“I found you,” he whispers, like so many times before.
“I… I didn’t remember you,” I choke out. My body shakes uncontrollably.
“It’s alright.” His fingers burn as they caress my cheek. “I brought someone who can break the curse. She broke it for me.”
The fae in the fur coat.
He pulls me into another embrace. Tears stream down my face. I gulp some air, but my lungs don’t want it. Not after what I’ve done.
“Caeo, stop. Please.”
He pulls back, his eyes searching my face. The same eyes I fell in love with, despite the change in color.
“What’s wrong?”
My throat twists with the words I need to say.
“I didn’t remember you, Caeo. I didn’t…”
My eyes drift to Taran, squeezing his brow with his hand.
I did this to him. All I wanted was to help. Support him. But all I did was push him into betraying the brother he hoped to save.
Caeo follows my gaze. His grip loosens.
“No…”
He looks back at me, and when I don’t respond,can’trespond… the light in his eyes fractures, his heart shattering into a million pieces.
“No. No.” He stumbles backward, his head shaking.
“I’m sorry—I’m so sorry.”
I made him promise not to break my heart. Instead, I broke his.
He turns away, charging at Taran.
“What did you do?” Caeo shouts, shoving him. A passing fae carrying a large sack jumps out of the way, narrowly avoiding collision.
Frozen in place, I flinch, reaching toward Taran as the bitter sting of self-hatred pierces my chest.
He staggers away, staying on his feet but keeping his eyes down. Like he wants Caeo’s rage. Like he deserves it.
“You knew! That was the entire reason you brought her here. You knew she loved me, but you did it anyway!”
My feet finally move, and I grab Caeo’s arm. “It’s not his fault! It’s mine. He warned me, but I ignored him. I pushed him.”
Caeo yanks his arm free, then storms off. I glance at Taran. His palms dig into his brow, his fingers clenching his hair.
“Taran? What’s wrong?” I rush to his side, taking his hand and turning his face to mine. His eyes clamp shut. With a violent tug, he yanks himself free of my grasp.
