Zephyros let out a low rumble, sensing the shift. I slid my hand higher on her shoulder as if to calm her… or myself.
“Of course not. Nothing happened, Aurelius,” I snapped back quietly.
Aurelius exhaled through his nose, sharp and controlled. He stepped away and yanked the pack that held the crystals tight on Zephyros’s side until the leather creaked. Then he mounted the saddle.
“You shouldn’t lie, Delilah. You’re terrible at it,” he replied, and commanded Zephyros into the sky.
The wind from her wings kicked grit into my face. I blinked it away, watching him lift off without looking back.
I changed into the same leather outfit I wore yesterday. I was relieved it was dry from the quick rinse I gave it in the lake last night.
I met Titus near Draxxinar; the camp was already packed. He cinched a strap on the supply bundle without glancing up, like everything was business again.
“Well, that was weird,” I commented.
He slid the last buckle into place with a hard click. “Good morning to you too,” he replied.
“Does he know you marked me?” I asked. My fingers automatically rose toward my chest—then stopped, catching myself.
“No. Don’t worry about him… instead… worry about him,” he said, gesturing to Draxxinar.
Draxxinar shifted, scales grinding like stone, and a thin curl of steam drifted from his nostrils.
Looking confused, I asked, “Who, Drax?”
The High Lord nodded. “It’s a short flight to Coralis Falls, and today you are flying us there.”
He finally looked at me, expression unreadable, like he was waiting to see how I'd respond.
“Me? Fly Draxxinar, the biggest dragon in the Realm?”
It’s one thing to interact with the beast and not get scorched or eaten. It’s another thing entirely to command and fly him. When I stole Zephyros, I was terrified—adrenaline was the only reason I somehow managed to do it.
“Don’t you think we should talk first?” I asked. He didn’t stop packing to look at me.
“Talk about what?” he replied, unbothered.
“Oh. I don’t know. Maybe how last night I discovered you are the reincarnation of my ex-fiancé? I have a bazillion questions, and you— you’re so calm. How can you possibly be calm?!” I said, throwing my hands in the air with exasperation.
He stopped loading the bags and looked at me, armscrossed.
“Might I remind you that I am a High Lord and I have responsibilities? I’ve agreed to this little detour of yours because I care about you and want to make you happy, but we have to get going. I cannot be delayed any further,” he said in an authoritative tone.
“Danny, I—” I started, before he cut me off.
“My name is not Danny! Maybe it used to be, but not anymore. I am Titus, High Lord of the Kingdom of Flame.” He stepped in closer, dropped his shoulders, and sighed.
“How much do you remember?” I prodded carefully.
“Not as much as you’d like. I’ve been here for so long that it’s all hazy, like recalling a dream I had ages ago. I know it happened, but the specifics are missing. For some reason, I can only recall memories involving you. I’m not familiar with how veil magic works, it might depend on the person—but I have no recollections of my childhood, or really anyone else. All I remember is my name, you, our memories together, and the feelings I had for you—nothing beyond that,” he explained calmly.
“That doesn’t make any sense. You—Danny—died only ten years ago. How can you be here and full grown?” I asked.
He exhaled and widened his eyes like he was trying to figure out how he was going to explain what he said next.
“Time affects each realm differently. Ten years there could be ten thousand here. Additionally, the realms don’t follow linear timelines, this moment could be taking place in the past,
present, or future from your mortal realm timeline. That's why the longer you are in the Fae Realm, the memories of any past lives are slowly eaten away by magic.”
