Page 124 of Tiger's Voyage

Now those holes were sealed, and I was filling. Bursting with something that left me weepy and shaky.He remembered.I repeated those words over and over. They flitted across my conscious mind without penetrating, without processing. I felt light-headed, like I was suffering from heatstroke. I licked my lips but was too weak to get up and look for water.

Kishan and Mr. Kadam returned. Kishan knelt beside me and took my hand. He stroked the back of it, but I couldn’t feel his gentle touch.

Mr. Kadam spoke quietly. “It appears Ren has regained his memory, Miss Kelsey. He’d like to see you. Do you feel up to it, or should I tell him to wait until tomorrow?”

I hesitated and didn’t reply for a few seconds.

“Miss Kelsey? Are you quite alright?”

I sucked in a breath and mumbled. “I don’t know what to do. What should I do?”

Kishan sat by me, caring and constant. “I’ll support whatever you decide, Kells,” he said.

“Okay.” I nodded maniacally. “I should see him, right? You think I should see him, don’t you?”

I stood and took a few steps and then turned. “No. Wait. I can’t. What do I say to him? How do I explain everything?”

Kishan said, “He knows everything. He still remembers everything since we found him, but now his other memories have surfaced. If you don’t want to talk to him, you don’t have to.”

I bit my lip. “No. It’s okay. I’ll see him now.”

Mr. Kadam nodded. “He’s waiting for you in the observation lounge.”

I took another shaky step and then stopped. “Will you go with me, Kishan?”

He kissed my forehead. “Of course.”

We left a worried Mr. Kadam, who told us he would take over watch in the wheelhouse as we were otherwise occupied. I told Kishan I wanted to change first. I washed the makeup off my face and took off my fancy dress. Slipping on a pair of jeans, I pulled a T-shirt over my head. I removed the flower and brushed out my hair, then tugged on a pair of sneakers. Kishan waited for me outside, still in his silk shirt and tie.

I took his hand, and silently we made our way to the observation lounge. We started toward the couches. The room was dark; only the moonlight coming in through the window lit our way. I saw a shadowy figure rise. His form was silhouetted by the moon. I stopped.

Kishan wrapped me in a hug and whispered, “It’ll be alright. You go on, and call out if you need me.”

“But—”

“Go ahead.”

Kishan’s comforting presence was gone before I could issue another protest. I forced myself to take a step forward and then another. I was frightened, but I didn’t know what was scaring me. I finally reached Ren. He watched my every move with an awareness that made me nervous. He must have sensed my fear, because he dropped his intense gaze and gestured that I should sit. I perched nervously across from him and clasped my hands in my lap.

After a long quiet moment, I said, “You … wanted to talk to me?”

Ren sat back in his chair, studying me silently.

“What did you want to say?” I stammered.

He tilted his head. “You’re scared. You don’t need to be,” he said softly.

I dropped my gaze to my hands.

He went on, “You’re acting like you did when I first revealed myself to you at Phet’s house.”

“I can’t seem to help myself.”

“I don’t ever want you to be frightened of me,priya.”

My eyes met his, and I took a deep breath. “You said you remember. Is that true?”

“Yes. I was … triggered.”