Forgotten us. The despair in those words struck straight through to my heart. I thought of my family members hiding at that treehouse. But no matter how hard I focused, I couldn’t dredge up more than a few images of my past with them in it.
Cara’s hand touched my arm. “It will come, but this is a great start.”
She pushed herself to her feet and regarded Mykal. “Your father has not forgotten you. His memories of you have been stolen, but he will regain them,” she said. “But for now, you, my boy, have to go back. We are fortunate the gate guardian doesn’t know you. You risked much by coming here.”
She stared at him with a stern expression, but Mykal simply shrugged, and then grinned up at me.
“I’m glad I came,” he said, unapologetic.
It was like looking in a blasted mirror. I grinned back at him.
“So am I.”
The gate’s bright energy dispersed, and I watched Cara start the trek back to the building.
As the dawn rose over the horizon, a part of me that had been tangled, eased. I knew my son. Irememberedhim.
If that miracle was possible, so were others. I just needed to see it through.
I would speak with Tyrez after classes and convince him not to go. And as far as the blasted sword was concerned, perhaps I had done my part by transferring it to those who could make a difference.
Staying at the academy would make it difficult to avoid what Fate seemed determined to throw my way. But what alternatives did I have? Could I skedaddle into the realms that were slowly being swallowed by the underworld? Become a mercenary and live my life serving myself?
The love of the fight, in the pursuit of what’s right.The words flashed across my mind, some random fragment of memory. Something that had once been important to me. To become a mercenary, I would have to abandon half of that motto.
I’d convinced myself that my Legion warrior had died in a back alley in Drosfi. But now,I remembered my son.
Even if that was all I ever regained of my past, this academy could offer me a middle ground. Something to make my life meaningful.
My stomach growled. I had missed dinner, and my body was convinced I was starving. That basic physical need helped me put other things into perspective. The sword wasn’t intended for me. That would become clear with time. Breana was still an issue that I needed to resolve, though. Fate was a cunning bitch, and not easily evaded.
Squelching my uneasy thoughts, I headed for the stairway, and breakfast. All my possible plans for a future were derailed by, of all things, a complaining stomach.
The cafeteria was full of milling students. The first thing I saw was Tez at the Team Hippogryph table, and I ripped my gaze away from him.
My tray was stuffed to overflowing by the time I decided it would be enough to ease my stomach. I glanced at the Dragon table.
Breana sat with the others—and she had the sword strapped to her back.
I gritted my teeth, told myself to stop being a child, and wove my way to her.
“Hey.” Breana smiled. My heart did a complete backflip as I grinned like a fool at her.
Not a good start to my new state of indifference.
Breana stared at me. “Are you okay?”
I longed to tell her about Mykal. But here, there were too many ears. “Peachy,” I said.
She caught the extra enthusiasm, and one brow rose.
“Where were you last night?” Sid asked.
“I had thinking to do,” I said. “Did you sleep well?”
Sid frowned. “Not sure. I shredded the blanket. Again.”
Adilyn sighed. “That’s the third effing one in just over a week.”
