Page 77 of In The Dark

“Some,” I admit. “I used to not be able to do any, but over the last few weeks, it has been growing rapidly.”

She points a finger at me. “Don’t breathe a word about your magic if you suspect your memories are being stolen. When we pull a memory from someone’s mind, it’s attached to their very soul—their essence. But over time, you’re able to grow some of that essence back. After all, it’s ours, regenerating similarly to the blood in your veins but at a much slower rate. It takes a few years to replenish, but once it starts, it grows rapidly.”

Her words reassure me of my decision to remain quiet.

But if it only takes a few years to replenish, does that mean my memories have been taken more than once? If my calculations are correct, the essence stolen from me as a child would have regenerated by now. I should have been able to wield magic for years already. Right?

“That’s good to know. Do you know who the Siphon is?” Rydian asks, something we desperately need to know.

He’s stopped pacing, facing Milena with his arms crossed, somehow making her cottage feel compressed—almost claustrophobic with how large he is.

“Mm.” She nods. “I do. It’s my grandson, who’s now King Elion’s second-in-command. He was appointed shortly after I went into hiding.”

I quickly recall Rydian’s memories of Ivy mentioning that King Elion’s second-in-command killed King Andre. But it’s mewho’s confused, knowing that King Elion doesn’t have one—not that I’m aware of. I’ve only ever seen Theron at his side, and as cruel as he is, he’s no second-in-command.

“And what’s his name—your grandson?” I ask.

“His full name is Witt Dralor, but the last time I checked, he changed his name. He was a sweet boy, but his parents died during the war, leaving me to raise him after. He was pretty much raised in the castle while I worked for King Elion, but when he hit adulthood, something changed,” she says.

During the war? So that means that he’s been around close to when King Elion took the throne.

She frowns. “He became unpredictable and could switch between moods in seconds, as if he was a different person entirely. He’s the last Siphon ever born in this realm and is fully at the king’s disposal. He’s dangerous, but I’m not sure what he goes by now.”

Rydian looks off to the side when a look of revenge hardens his features, his brows lowering. It casts shadows over his eyes, giving him a dark edge, and I swear that I see them moving as he clenches his fists.

The tight line of his jaw reveals someone who’s willing to destroy anything in his path. Anything to avenge his king, no matter the cost.

27

My hair catcheson the breeze, grazing my lips, and I cast a glance to my left. Rydian has walked quietly beside Sable with his hood up ever since we left Milena’s. He wanted to walk to Alvonia and has done so in complete and utter silence. I assume it has to do with the new information we received.

On the bright side, if I were to find my missing memories, I’d be able to get them back. If King Elion even decided to keep them. With my luck, he probably tossed my valuable memories into the nearest river and went along with his day.

That wretched king.All these years he’s been pulling memories and experimenting with Fae, and we never even knew it. It’s a miracle Milena got out alive when she did, though I can’t help but wonder what it was like for my mother—stuck alone in a castle with no allies and a secret heritage. I shake my head at the thought of it being very similar to my current situation and begin to wonderwho she knew.If she stayed in the castle twenty-six years ago, it’s possible someone could have known her at the time.

Unfortunately for Rydian, this new information means that the second-in-command still walks the realm and works for theking. Although I don’t blame him for his current mood, I do find myself wishing I had the knowledge of who the second-in-command is if it could give him an ounce of happiness. To soothe the rough edges of his heart, knowing it’s why he’s remained silent on our trek back. But I don’t, and it’s just one more missing piece to the never-ending mystery—my memories.

But what else did they take from me? If King Elion only wanted to wipe my past, wouldn’t he have left my recent memories alone? Other than that time at the orphanage. I can understand why he would want to wipe that, but everything else?

I find it odd I don’t know much about the castle or who King Elion works with. Why wouldn’t I know about the second-in-command? Then it crosses my mind—King Elion must want to keep him hidden for a reason, but why?

The saddle groans beneath me as I adjust to the empty space at my back, and for whatever reason, I miss the steadiness and warmth Rydian provided. We keep a steady pace, and I listen to the trees rustling in the breeze as the thick of it finally lets up, the Twin Valley resting in the distance. We’ve been riding for an hour, meaning we should be in Alvonia soon, spotting the slight left curve in the path ahead. The sun makes its descent in the sky as the chill of the evening begins to settle, wrapping around me like ice. Nighttime quickly approaches.

I didn’t realize how late it’s getting, but hopefully no one will notice my absence. Suddenly, a chill snakes down my spine, slow and ominous. I shudder, recalling how familiar it feels as a wave of unease settles over me.

Goosebumps form on my arms and an eerie silence falls, the only sounds in the vast forest being our breathing and Rydian’s solid steps, as if every bird decided to sleep at once. Squinting, I scan the open space before glancing at Rydian, watching as he keeps his steady pace on the path, as if nothing is amiss.

I adjust again, squirming on the saddle.

“Rydian,” I whisper, and he grunts at me. “Something’s not right. We need to hurry.”

He keeps his gaze forward and gives me a quiet huff of amusement. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of a little forest.”

“I’m not joking. Something isoff,” I hiss, but he ignores me, letting silence fall between us again for a few breaths. He keeps his leisurely, carefree pace when I suddenly kick my boot out and connect it with his back, causing him to snap forward. Sable comes to an abrupt stop.

“Are you even listening to me?” I growl.

Rydian whirls around with a glare, holding tightly to the reins. “There’s nothing wrong or I would have noticed it. Though I’m happy to remind you that you’re the reason we took a horse today. We’re almost to the city—or are you only saying that because you want me to join you on the saddle again?” He gives me a teasing grin, and it takes everything in me not to smack it right off his face. “Just ask, if that’s the case.”