**************
Chapter 168
~Zara’s POV~
I noticed the change in Zade’s expression but continued, "The window, though... the view of the woods. It felt like I used to sit there all the ti, but I can’t rember what I was thinking or waiting for."
Snow stepped closer, his hand gently brushing my cheek, his touch grounding . "Anything else?"
I shook my head. "It was just fragnts—nothing that made sense."
Zade rubbed his chin, his tone thoughtful. "It could be your mories trying to resurface. With everything going on—the explosion, Marcus, the Thorned Crescent—the trauma may be making it harder for them to co back fully."
"Maybe," I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. "But it’s maddening. I feel as though I’m close to recalling sothing significant, yet it remains elusive."
Snow sighed and wrapped in his arms again. "You’ll rember when the ti is right, Zara. Don’t push yourself too hard. Right now, we focus on keeping you safe."
Zade nodded, his expression firm. "Snow’s right. Just to clarify, you did not create those scratches.
Both Snow and I shot our brows up. "What?"
"It was made by my mother on the night when we lost you. She scread, yelled, raged, and wailed. Losing Dad and you was the biggest blow she could have received."
I felt a deep pain etched in my chest at the thought of what she went through losing us like that. "I—I’m sorry."
"It’s not your fault," Zade tried to reason. Furthermore, I shouldn’t be the one you’re apologizing to. It’s Mum."
I shook my head. "No. You endured growing up without a father and mother due to everything. You had to undergo strict training with your uncles. That wasn’t what you needed." I pulled from Snow and caressed Zade’s cheeks. "You deserved love."
He held my hand, caressing it softly. "And I gained my sister back. That alone makes all the years of suffering worth it, seeing how wonderful you have beco."
"I’m here now. And I am not going anywhere."
I don’t know why, for Zade, it was easier to regain that connection compared to my mother. It felt like he and I never parted. I was at ease in his presence and that made all the difference.
Usually, I expected these things to be more challenging than they are.
I guess true family makes all the difference.
Their unwavering support eased the unease tightening in my chest, and I managed a small smile.
Snow kissed my forehead, his tone soft. "We’re here for you, always. You’re not alone."
"I know," I whispered, leaning into his embrace. "Thank you."
We walked towards the room where I woke up and then Zade tried to question . "Did anything you saw feel useful?"
I hesitated, thinking back. "There was... one thing. A na. It ca to for just a second, but it felt important."
"What na?" "What na?" Snow inquired.
"Silverwood," I said, the word falling from my lips like a whisper.
Both n stiffened imdiately, their reactions intense and unreadable.
"Silverwood?" Zade repeated, his voice edged with disbelief.
Snow’s grip on tightened, his crimson eyes darkening. "That’s impossible. Silverwood was destroyed years ago. It’s cursed land—abandoned and untouched."
"Destroyed?" I asked, the word sending a chill down my spine.
Zade nodded grimly. "Dark magic bound it, with rumours linking it to the Thorned Crescent." A massive war wiped out most of its inhabitants, and the packs left it to rot. No one’s been there since."
With my voice barely audible, I posed the question. "Then why would I rember it?" Snow and Zade exchanged a glance, their unspoken thoughts making the air feel heavier.
"It’s possible," Zade began cautiously, "that your past has ties to Silverwood. If that’s where you were before your abduction, then it’s plausible.
"We don’t know that," Snow interrupted, his voice firm. "And until we do, she’s not going near that place."
I opened my mouth to protest, but the fierce protectiveness in Snow’s eyes silenced .
"Silverwood is dangerous, Zara," he said, his tone softening slightly. "Whatever happened there, it’s better left buried until we have answers."
I nodded reluctantly, but the na echoed in my mind, refusing to fade. I doubted I was there. If I was, I would have rembered.
I tried to think back hard and then I saw a lady ntion it as she stared at a hooded figure with little in her arms, unconscious or so they thought.
Zade placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, making jolt. He had begun saying his usual soothing words, "We’ll figure it out together. You’re not..." when I jolted, and his brows knitted.
"Zara?"
"I recall now. I never went. Whoever abducted was supposed to take there. A hooded figure gave her instructions."
"Then perhaps she was taking you there," Snow reasoned.
"Or... not."
I shook my head. "We cannot know anything for sure. The only ones who know more than any of us currently are none other than my parents. I need to visit them and get all the answers I can get."
I turned without a second thought in the direction of the door. Before I could leave, Zade blocked my path and Snow held my arm.
"Zara, no."
"Why? I can’t waste any more ti. I should know."
"And you will," Snow’s soothing voice rang out behind . "I know you want answers, love and you will get them, but not this way. You haven’t fully healed. I need you to be at your best whenever you leave the house, love. So please, rest today."
"And tomorrow we go as planned," Zade added. "Please."
I sighed, my shoulders slouching. There was so much to figure out and I wanted to know who my enemies were.
Nodding, I let Snow pull against his chest, cradling my head as though he’d lose .
"Trust us, Zara."
"I do."
"Okay, how about going shopping?" Zade suggested.
"Hmm, I’d prefer letting the designers bring in their best outfits here. Then we can both choose while Zara models them for us," Snow added.
"Cool, but never forget to include ," Zaria, my mother, chid as he walked over to us. "I can’t miss any more of my daughter’s growing up."
Reviews
All reviews (0)