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My back arches, and my mouth parts as I stare up at the ceiling. I wrap my hands around Memnon’s wrists as my mind seems to crack, and a spell held for two thousand years dissolves.

In its wake, there is a single instant of peace. Then memories from another time, another place spill in.

It starts with fire, and blood, and screaming. These memories may be older, but they are far more terrifying than anything I have experienced.

I’m squeezing Memnon’s wrists, and I feel tears tracking down my cheeks.

He was right the whole time. I am Roxilana. She is me.

And it’s very clear that in my mind, the only true hero in this first life, the only person who loved me and fought for me, defended me and adored me, was Memnon.

Fearsome, powerful Memnon who really did kill entire armies. He loved me more than life itself, and I loved him just as fiercely.

Here in the present, his thumbs stroke my cheeks, and he murmurs reassurances. “It is all right, my love. It is all right. You are here, with me.”

But, somewhere along the way, things changed.

My life twisted and twisted, and the walls closed in on me just as the walls have closed in on me now.

And I did the unthinkable.

I betrayed my soul mate.

I shudder at the truth of it. The memories abruptly end. I gasp as the magic cuts off.

I’m vaguely aware of the Politia officers storming the stairs, their heavy footsteps thundering as they close in on my room, but I hardly care.

I can still feel the wetness of my tears and Memnon’s blood on my cheeks.

Memnon’s eyes are gentle and unguarded as he peers at me.

“Roxi?” he says softly.

The name causes a sob to slip from me. I am both old and new all at once. I have beenreborn.

“You should’ve never given me those memories back,” I say, my voice barely more than a whisper. “I was better off…and so were you.”

The door bursts open, and Politia officers storm the room.

Neither Memnon nor I pay them much mind.

“Est amage,” he says, his expression growing fevered, “we will figure it out.Together.I vow to fix all my wrongs. Whatever you want, you shall have. I am yours forever.”

He tries to pull me to him then, but I’m ripped from his hold.

An officer spins me around and cuffs my wrists, even as Nero growls at the intruders.

“Selene Bowers, you are under arrest…” They keep talking, and Nero keeps growling, but I am no longer aware of anything but Memnon.

I search his eyes. “What have I done?” I whisper.

I never should’ve woken Memnon from his sleep.

I have set a monster upon the world.