Page 20

twenty

I snapped awake, sitting upright in bed, my heart pounding. Panic gripped me momentarily as I looked around, disoriented. But then my eyes adjusted to the familiar surroundings of Zeke’s guest room. I exhaled, releasing the tension in my chest, and sank back into the pillows.

This bed was heaven. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept so soundly. My gaze drifted down to the shirt I was wearing, Zeke’s shirt, and a smile tugged at my lips. It still carried his scent, a comforting reminder of the night we shared.

I felt a wave of gratitude as I looked at my dress, now restored to perfection. Zeke’s magic had worked wonders, and there it was, hanging neatly in the closet, good as new.

A knock at the door broke my thoughts. “Come in,” I called.

Zeke walked in, his movements casual, as if he owned the place—though I guess he kinda did. He flopped down beside me on the bed with a playful bounce, leaning back against the headboard. Resting his hands behind his head, he flashed me a cheeky grin. “So, how’d you sleep?” he asked, his gaze briefly drifting over the wild mess of my curls before locking with mine.

“I’ve never slept better,” I said, sinking deeper into the covers. “This bed should be illegal. It’s too comfortable.” I smiled up at him, then reached for the hair tie on my wrist, quickly gathering my hair into a messy bun. “Want me to make you breakfast?”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression serious at first. “You never have to cook a meal again,” he said, then, with a playful spark in his eyes, added, “Unless, of course, you want to.”

With a flick of his wrist, a tray of breakfast appeared on my lap, piled high with all my favorite foods. I stared at it in awe. He’d even cooked my eggs exactly the way I liked them. I took a bite, savoring the perfect balance of flavors .

“Have I ever told you how amazing you are?” I asked, nudging him with my elbow. I leaned in, my hand brushing the tray, eager to meet his gaze.

He side-eyed me, his face a mask of indifference. “Not nearly as much as I’d like,” he said, letting the silence stretch. “You should probably tell me again.”

I exhaled slowly, rolling my eyes slightly as I leaned back. “Oh, sure,” I teased, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Because your ego definitely needs the boost.”

He shot me a huge, goofy smile, all teeth on display, before relaxing and stretching out in front of him, crossing his legs comfortably. With a casual wave of his hand, a tray of food appeared before him, perfectly matching mine. We ate in comfortable silence, the moment peaceful.

While savoring the crispiness of my bacon, a thought suddenly struck me. “So, how long exactly have you been looking for me?” I asked, a hint of hesitation in my voice. “I can’t believe you’ve spent an entire year in this realm searching. That’s…so much time.”

His fork paused mid-air, his eyes darting away. A brief, uncomfortable silence followed. He was avoiding the question, and that made my discomfort grow.

“Zeke…” I pressed, my voice sharpening, suspicion creeping in. “How long? ”

He winced, his gaze dropping to his plate. “To be honest,” he said softly, “I’ve lost track of time. But…it’s been at least a century.”

I froze, my body going rigid. A century? The thought barely registered. “A hundred years?!” I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. “That’s…insane.” I shook my head slowly, the reality sinking in. A hundred years with Reggie? Living the same miserable cycle over and over again? He’d stolen a hundred years from me.

And this war...How had it dragged on for so long? How had Zeke spent all this time searching for me? A bitter thought slipped in. Why hadn’t he just let go? Couldn’t a new queen have taken my place? Wouldn’t it have been wiser for him to focus on protecting the kingdom, securing its future, instead of chasing after a woman who didn’t even remember who she was?

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely grateful, but why didn’t you just cut your losses and move on? Surely, a new queen could have stepped in.”

He didn’t answer immediately. He chewed slowly, his eyes avoiding mine. The silence settled around us, thick and uncomfortable.

He was hiding something.

Then, as if struck by a lightning bolt, it all suddenly clicked into place. Of course. How could I have been so blind? It had been right in front of me the whole time. Maybe I just refused to see it. Or maybe I wasn’t ready to .

I barely whispered the question, afraid of what the answer might be. “You’re not a guardsman…are you?”

Zeke’s eyes flicked toward mine for a split second, something flashing across his face before he quickly looked away. His jaw tightened, his posture stiffened, as if bracing for what came next. He exhaled, his voice quieter than before. “No.”

The truth, one I’d sensed deep down, hit me like a punch, filling the room with a heavy silence. My heart raced as I took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself.

“The girl you spoke of at the waterfall...the one you loved...it’s—me, isn’t it?”

He squeezed his eyes shut, then turned toward me, his gaze locking onto mine with such fierce intensity that it rendered me silent. “Yes,” he said, his voice low, fractured by years of unspoken emotion. He blinked a few times, as if battling the flood of feelings he’d kept hidden. “It’s always been you.”

A lump formed in my throat, and for a long moment, I couldn’t find the words. The revelation hit harder than I expected, stirring emotions I wasn’t sure how to handle. Finally, I found my voice, though it shook with vulnerability. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He let out a deep sigh, his shoulders sagging beneath the quiet burden he’d carried alone, the truth woven into the way he held himself. “Because I didn’t want you to feel more overwhelmed,” he said quietly, his voice thick with sincerity. “It was already too much for you to process. I wanted you to choose me—not out of obligation, but because you wanted to.”

I sat frozen, his words rendering me momentarily speechless. In his eyes was a sorrow I couldn’t begin to measure, written in the lines of his face, the result of an eternity of longing. “Even still, a hundred years?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief. “That’s…such a long time. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d given up.”

He looked at me like I couldn’t possibly understand, as if the depth of what he felt lived in a place I couldn’t reach. “No matter how much time passed—decades, centuries, millennia—I never would’ve stopped searching for you.” His voice was calm, but every syllable felt carved from something sacred, shaped by years of unwavering devotion.

He leaned in just enough for me to feel the heat of his presence, his eyes searching mine with a raw intensity, as if he were laying himself bare before me. “Time may change a lot of things, but my feelings for you? Those have never wavered.”

Something in me stirred, a warmth I hadn’t expected, spreading through the quiet spaces of my chest. His words lodged deep, undeniable. But with that realization came something heavier, an understanding of just how deeply he felt.

I had to ask.

“So…we’re together, then? Like…dating?” The words felt strange, uncertain, as if I were trying them on for the first time . Then, as the full scope of what I’d just said unraveled in my head, I blurted, “Or married?!”

The question flew from me before I could catch it, and my stomach dropped as if the ground beneath me had suddenly disappeared. Married. I’d just escaped one marriage, one that had nearly broken me. The thought of being tied down again, especially now, felt like too much. Too soon. Too overwhelming.

Zeke reached out, his hand grazing mine in a simple, grounding gesture. His fingers lingered, just for a heartbeat too long, offering a silent reassurance, a tether connecting us. A soft smile played at his lips, gentle and knowing, as if to say he’d wait for me to understand what he already knew.

“Well,” he said, tilting his head slightly, “our connection has always been there, woven into the fabric of who we are. We don’t need to rush it. For now, let’s just say we’re exactly where we’re meant to be. No labels. No expectations. Just being here, together—that’s enough.”

His words enveloped me like a spell, settling deep into my bones. There was something timeless in his gaze, an unspoken truth hanging in the quiet air around us. He paused, his eyes never leaving mine, as if seeking something I couldn’t yet grasp.

“This is why you dreamed of me, because we share this bond, this connection,” he said, his voice soft, almost reverent. “I searched for you there, hoping you’d guide me, lead me back to you. As time passed, though, it became harder to reach you. The longer I stayed absent from your memory…”

He fell silent, his expression distant, his eyes betraying the haunted stillness of someone who’d lost everything. Then, in a whisper, he added, “Eventually, I couldn’t find you anymore. The Ruby…it erased me completely.”

The dreams were real. He had been there all along, searching. Always.

I wanted to say it. I love you. To ease the pain behind his eyes. But the truth was, I wasn’t there yet. Did I care for him? Absolutely. But love? That word had always felt distant, something I didn’t truly understand. Until now. And honestly, I wasn’t sure I trusted him. I hadn’t known him long enough. Or at least, that’s how my mind saw it. The memories of him were gone, wiped clean, and it made everything harder to believe.

“I…I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, my voice thick with confusion.

Zeke gave a quiet laugh, amusement flickering across his face. “It’s okay. I know you don’t love me,” he said, completely unfazed. Then, with a mischievous grin, he wiggled his eyebrows. “Yet.”

He leaned in slightly and took my hand again, this time holding it.

“Listen, I know this isn’t easy,” he murmured, voice soft but sure. “You don’t remember, and I get that.” He paused, his gaze locked on mine, as though trying to anchor me with his eyes. “But I do. I remember everything . And if you don’t love me yet, that’s okay. I’ve got enough love for both of us.”

There was no rush in his words. No pressure. Just quiet certainty.

“I don’t want to overwhelm you,” he said, his thumb tracing slow circles across my knuckles. “But I need you to know—you’re not alone in this. I’m here for you. Whatever you need, even if it’s just as a friend.”

He paused, then added with a playful wink, “Best friend.”

My heart swelled. I turned to face him fully, emotion tightening in my chest. Slowly, I lifted my hand to his cheek, letting my fingertips graze the curve of his skin. It wasn’t much, but it was all I had. It was a quiet way to say thank you, to show him what his words had stirred in me. I lingered there, letting the touch speak for everything I couldn’t say.

After breakfast, we dove straight into research, but the hours blurred together. Nothing we found seemed useful, and I was pretty sure Zeke had already read through all the material a thousand times. At this point, we were just hoping for a miracle.

A loud knock echoed through the house, jolting us both upright. I jumped, heart leaping into my throat, and pushed back from the table, feet landing with a soft thud. Zeke was just as fast, springing to his feet in one fluid motion, his chair scraping across the floor. We turned to each other, eyes locking in alarm, our bodies tense in perfect sync.

“I thought no one could find us here,” I said breathlessly, my pulse quickening.

Zeke’s eyes narrowed, brows furrowing as he straightened, his body coiling with readiness. His shoulders squared and his posture turned rigid, like a wolf on alert.

He didn’t flinch. He didn’t blink.

“They can’t,” he said, his voice calm, but the force behind it cracked like a whip.

He stepped toward me, slow and deliberate, his movements smooth and controlled as he positioned himself between me and whatever was coming.

“Go hide.”

I rushed toward the kitchen, ducking behind the wall but craning my neck just enough to see. Zeke turned, pressing a finger to his lips to signal silence. Then, slowly, he moved toward the door, each step cautious, like he was testing the air.

On the other side stood a towering figure: a man with pale blond hair, ghostly skin, and piercing blue eyes that seemed unnervingly familiar .

Zeke’s eyes widened. For a heartbeat, shock and something like relief passed over his face. “Izzy?” he breathed, barely louder than a whisper.

The man, Izzy, grinned and stepped forward, pulling Zeke into a huge, thunderous hug. “Brother!”

Zeke staggered back, stunned. “How did you find me?” he asked, disbelief threading through his voice. “It took me years to locate this realm…” He paused, concern darkening his expression. “…and this house is cloaked.”

Izzy flashed him a cocky grin. “You know you can’t cloak from me,” he said, slapping Zeke’s shoulder with a playful thud before squeezing the back of his neck. “Besides, aren’t you happy to see me?”

Zeke jerked away, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, of course,” he muttered, a sarcastic edge coloring his words.

Izzy waved him off, his expression turning serious. “I heard you were looking for Sadalia Valtor.” His voice grew quieter, a hint of exhaustion creeping in. “Word’s been spreading. Took me ages to find this realm. Hidden so well, it might as well have been buried under a mountain of magic.” He let out a frustrated breath. “I knew you’d come looking for her. And, as usual, I was right. I felt you the second I found my way in.”

I hesitated before stepping out from behind the wall. The moment Izzy saw me, his eyes locked on mine, frozen in stunned silence. Time seemed to stretch, and he didn’t move, his gaze unblinking. Then, his voice dropped to a hushed murmur: “You found her…”

Without warning, he snapped out of his stupor and bounded toward me, closing the distance in seconds. Before I could react, he scooped me into a bear hug, lifting me off the ground as if I weighed nothing.

“Bryn!” he shouted, his face alight with joy.

After what felt like an eternity of being held so tightly, he stopped swaying, my legs dangling in the air like feathers. “Why aren’t you hugging me back?” he asked, his voice warm, tinged with puzzlement, as if he couldn’t understand why I wasn’t returning his embrace.

From behind him, I heard Zeke’s dry tone. “The ring, idiot. She can’t remember you.”

Izzy’s face fell, his gaze softening as he glanced at me, apologetic. “Oh—right. This is probably really awkward, huh?”

I nodded, letting out a small laugh. “Yeah, a little.”

With a sheepish smile, he gently set me down, his hands lingering on my shoulders for a brief moment before giving them a soft tap. He stepped back, his eyes crinkling with a mix of embarrassment and concern. “Sorry,” he muttered.

Then, almost immediately, he added, “I don’t know about you, but I really needed that hug,” his grin returning in full force .

Zeke closed his eyes and shook his head, his expression one of amusement tinged with exasperation. “You’ll have to excuse him,” he said, turning to me. “He has no sense of manners.” His gaze shifted to Izzy, who was now standing uncomfortably close. “Or personal space.”

I couldn’t look away. “You guys look…exactly alike.” The surrealness of it settled in. “It’s so strange.”

They really did look like twins. Same height, same build, and those eyes, identical in hue, glowing with an almost otherworldly cyan light. But Zeke was so much darker, like he’d stolen all the melanin in the womb. Zeke’s hair was dark and slightly longer, always swept back, while Izzy’s was cropped short and nearly white-blond. Their styles were different too: Zeke was almost always in a suit, impeccably put together, while Izzy had a more laid-back vibe in jeans and a plain T-shirt, simple but somehow effortlessly cool.

Izzy clutched his chest in mock horror. “No way!” A mischievous glint danced in his eyes. “I’m clearly the better-looking one,” he added, wiggling his eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging at my lips, unable to hide my amusement. “Oh good. You’re both dramatic,” I said, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

At that, they both burst into laughter, their identical faces lighting up with mirrored grins.

“Memories or not, you never change,” Izzy said, chuckling .

Zeke filled Izzy in on everything that had happened since he found me. Izzy picked up the basics quickly, but needed more context about what had happened since his brother’s arrival.

As they talked, Izzy’s gaze flicked to me, his expression caught between shock and something softer beneath it.

“I can’t believe you’re really here.” His voice came out quiet, like he was still convincing himself it was real.

He glanced at Zeke, the weight in his eyes dragging his features into something more somber.

“I’d never have admitted it to him, but I started to think it was hopeless,” he murmured, the truth hanging between us like fog.

His shoulders sagged, and his voice dropped even lower. “Especially after he couldn’t reach you in your dreams anymore.”

But the sadness didn’t last. Izzy’s face brightened almost instantly, his grin widening as he bounced on his heels.

“But look at us now!” he exclaimed, the words tumbling out with excitement. “One big, happy family.”

Before I could react, Izzy lunged forward, throwing an arm around each of us in a nearly crushing hug. Then, as if nothing had happened, he strode into the kitchen, yanked open the fridge, and started digging through it.

“What do you guys have to eat around here? I’m starving,” he called, casual as ever .

Zeke shrugged and shot me an apologetic look before following Izzy into the kitchen. “I have to head out early tomorrow to get our new passports and identities,” he said, voice turning serious. “I need you to stay here with her while I’m gone. Just in case.”

Izzy nodded absently, distracted as he peeled open a string cheese. “Yeah, sure,” he muttered, biting into it and grimacing. “Ugh. Food in this realm is awful.” He chewed for a moment, then shot Zeke a mischievous grin. “So, do I get a new identity, too? You know, something cool?” he added playfully, unfazed by the bite he was still working through.

Zeke’s smirk grew as he eyed him up and down. “You can have my old one. It’ll be an upgrade for you.”

Izzy barked out a laugh and spun toward me, jabbing a finger toward Zeke. “Can you believe this guy?” His voice dripped with mock incredulity. “Listen, it’s never too late to trade up to the better twin.” He waggled his eyebrows for effect. “Being with Zeke…” he drawled, dragging out each word with exaggerated sarcasm, “…clearly wasn’t that memorable.”

“Israel!” Zeke snapped, his tone sharp.

That did it. I doubled over, laughter spilling out uncontrollably.

Izzy grinned, a look of satisfaction on his face. “So, where should I put my stuff?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with humor .

“What stuff?” I asked warily, glancing around the room. He hadn’t brought anything with him…unless…

Izzy waved a hand nonchalantly, and two massive suitcases appeared out of nowhere, thudding to the floor beside him. My mouth fell open. I wondered where they went exactly, where they’d been hidden. I guess that’s the point of magic, isn’t it? A mystery.

Zeke shot Izzy a smirk. “Guest room’s taken, but you can crash in the basement. It’s perfect for you—cozy, dark, and really gives off that serial-killer vibe.”

Izzy raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed. “Ah, the classic basement charm. I’m sold.”

While they headed downstairs, I took the opportunity to slip away to my room. They had catching up to do, and exhaustion was already weighing on me. I just needed a moment to myself.

I slipped into one of Zeke’s T-shirts and curled up in bed. The soft fabric felt comforting against my skin, and it wasn’t long before sleep claimed me, dragging me into a deep, dreamless slumber.