Page 199

"Please, Kaiya." The figure reached out a hand. "I know this is hard, but we don't have much time. I made a promise to him to watch over you, and I'll do my best to keep it. But when you call for him so strongly, it draws the storm. You must see this last memory before the storm claims it."

His last memory? Dare I see it?

I took that stranger's hand once more.

He lifted me up and nodded, then turned to the center of the room and waved a hand. "Just as before, you won't be able to interact. But — well, you'll see."

Jaiel appeared before me, frozen as if he were a painting. But he was changed, body made of smoky shadows, leathery wings curled behind him, and his hands ended in sharp claws.

The shadow had taken everything but his face …

Still, he stood the same. Had the same amazing smile. The same sparkle in those blue eyes.

All I wanted was to walk up and wrap myself in those shadowed arms …

The room flickered, then Jaiel was looking around, brows knitted as the memory of the cloaked figure walked around the room.

"Are you sure this will keep her safe from the shadow?" dream-Jaiel asked.

The figure nodded. "I believe so. As long as she doesn't call to you, the storm should never find her."

"I'm sure she won't be doing that anytime soon. She thinks I'm off with the body mages …"

My heart wrenched in my chest. He thought … I wouldn't think about him?! That he'd left, and I'd just forgotten him?

The words were like a knife to my heart.

"Then yes." The cloaked figure nodded. "She will be safe."

"Well." Jaiel offered him a smile. "I suppose my work is done. Thank you for your help — for keeping her safe when I'm gone. Truly."

"It's nothing. You'd better get in place."

"Indeed." Jaiel moved to the back of the room. "Wouldn't want to miss my last chance to see her …"

My heart skipped a beat as the lights flickered and the walls groaned.

"Don't delay long," the cloaked figure warned. "You don't have much time left."

"Perfect. There's nowhere else I'd rather be," Jaiel said, voice rough. "Just me and my Princess. One more time."

I choked back tears as the cloaked man in the memory nodded and stepped back.

With a wave of his hands, the shadow Jaiel was replaced with the one from the ball when everything began …

"What do you think?" he asked, smoothing down his coat. "Will she realize it's the real me?"

The figure shook his head sadly. "No, you stubborn Fae. I don't believe she will. You should tell her, though."

"No. She doesn't need any more pain."

The cloaked figure shook his head. "Goodbye, Jaiel. May you at last find peace in the afterlife."

"Goodbye L —"

The figure was replaced by dozens of guests appearing throughout the room.

Myheart raced as music filled the space and a very confused me appeared.