Love’s Eternal Fire

Chapter 18: A New Memory

Kesiray's POV

Opening my eyes, it felt like a boulder had hit my head. Everything felt heavy and sore, but I could tell I was lying on something soft. I blinked a few times to clear my fuzzy eyes and focus on the bright lights shining on me. It looked like I was in the infirmary of my tribe, but how on earth did I get here?

"You're awake!" a surprised voice said, making me jump. I hadn't realized anyone else was here with me. One of the healing fairies, Vienianne, stood near my bed, looking excited yet worried.

"What happened?" I questioned.

"Stay right there, and I'll go get someone who can explain," she squeaked, running from the room. Before I had time to wonder about anything, my mom bustled into the room.

"Kesiray, thank heavens you're awake," she told me breathlessly, sitting in the open chair by my bed. "What did you tell her?" my mom snapped at Vienianne.

"Nothing," she told her.

"Mom, what's going on?" I asked.

"Well, we've been so worried about you," she began.

"The last thing I remember is going to help when the alarm began to sound," I told her.

"Nothing after that?" she asked, eyes wide and leaning in slightly.

"Nothing," I replied.

"Well, you came to help fight the attacking phoenixes, but one got the better of you. They gave you a nasty burn on your neck, but Dr. Niania bandaged it up," my mom said. Reaching up, I touched a large sterile cover taped to my neck near my collarbone.

"How long have I been here?" I wondered.

"About a week; we were starting to worry you weren't going to wake up, even with fairy healing," my mom told me.

"What happened with the fight?" I asked.

"The phoenixes retreated. I'm not sure why they began attacking us in the first place, but it's over now," she told me.

"Is anyone else hurt?" I questioned, thinking it couldn't have only been me.

"A couple of minor injuries," she replied.

"Wait, but I thought phoenix fire turned whatever it touched to ashes?" I asked, wondering how I was still sitting here if I had been hit.

"Only when they're fully transformed into their phoenix. The person who hit you was still in their human form, and for that, we are very grateful," my mom said. "We could have lost you forever. Please promise me you won't try and fight in battle again."

"I'm sorry, I thought I was helping," I told her.

"Next time, stay and help protect Labivia and Genevieve. You know Thazel isn't good at fighting," my mom told me.

"I know, again, I'm sorry," I replied.

"Nothing we can do about it now; you just rest up and focus on healing. They said your bandage could come off in a couple of days; the balm should have helped by now," she responded.

"Has Gwena come to see me?" I asked. My mother's face fell, and she looked at me with empathy, which you didn't see often for my mom, so my heart dropped.

"Ray, Gwena, and her mate left the tribe," she said.

"What?" I asked, confused and devastated that my best friend had left me without saying goodbye.

My mom told me, "The fairy Queen thought they would better serve the eastern tribe, so she sent them to live there."

"Can I go visit them?" I asked.

"Not right now. That tribe is in pretty bad shape after half of them were wiped out due to a mysterious disease. The fairy queen has said no one else will go there until we know it's irradicated," my mom explained.

"But she sent them? What if they get sick?" I asked, thinking how that made any sense.

"They won't; they believe anyone who had it has either healed or passed away. The queen wouldn't have sent them there if it was still too dangerous," she told me.

"I just don't understand why she would have left without saying goodbye," I said, leaning back against my pillow.

"She did come to see you, but it all happened so fast; she couldn't wait for you to wake up," my mom said.

"I guess I can visit in a little while," I said.

"Yes, let's focus on you getting better! Genivieve's birthday is tomorrow, and she's very excited for you to be there," my mom smiled.

"Can I leave now that I'm awake?" I asked. "I feel fine."

"Let me talk to Dr. Niania; I'm sure we can get you out of here," she said.

I was alone in my room now; my mom and Vienianne had left. What she told me about Gwena didn't make any sense; there's no way she would have gone without saying or writing something if she needed to leave quickly. Something about all of this didn't feel right. Hard as I tried, I couldn't seem to remember anything past coming to help my mom during the fight. I could see her face and hear her anger with me for leaving Thazel, but it was utterly black after that.

Why didn't I remember being hurt? Surely, I would at least remember who or what hit me and how it happened. Maybe it would come back to me now that I was awake because, according to my mom, I had been out for a while. Touching my large bandage again, I thought about how lucky I was. Any closer, they could have killed me; maybe that's what I got for trying to go and be a hero in battle when I wasn't trained as a warrior.

"Good news," my mom said, bustling back into the room. "Dr. Niania said you can go home!"

"Really? She doesn't want to see me or anything?" I asked.

"Now that you're awake, it's clear you're completely healed, but she wants you to come back in two days for a recheck just to make sure," she replied.

"I can do that," I told her. "Do you have any clothes for me?" I was only wearing an all-white infirmary gown.

"Yes, I brought you something from home," she told me, going over to a small bag and pulling out a lavender dress and sandals. "Here you are; I know this dress is your favorite."

"Thanks," I replied, taking the clothes from here.

"I'll wait outside; come meet me when you're ready," she told me. I watched her go, narrowing my eyes as the door clicked shut. My mom wasn't a mean or abusive person, but she did demand order and lacked a maternal touch. Her being so concerned and kind to me was a little strange, but maybe she was trying to be better because I could have died. Getting out of bed, I slipped off my gown and pulled my dress on, falling just above my knees. The small cap sleeve and sweetheart neckline completed the lace dress, and my mom was fitting that this one was my favorite. I left my room to meet my mom in the lobby.

"You look great," she smiled.

"Thanks," I told her, not used to compliments from her.

"It's almost time for dinner. We've been eating in the dining hall with you in the infirmary. Everyone should still be there if you're feeling up for it," she asked.

"Sure, I'm starving," I told her, realizing it felt like I hadn't eaten in days, which I suppose I hadn't.

"Great, I can tell you about my great idea on the way," my mom told me, heading for the door.

"What idea?" I asked while she opened the door, and the warm evening air hit me in the face. I inhaled deeply, feeling like I hadn't been outside in years, not just days. Closing my eyes, I let the light dance on my skin, smiling as I felt it warm and comfort me.

"So about my idea, well, it's Queen Aranazelia, but I brought it up to her," she told me.

"What is it?" I asked as we walked.

"Next week, we'll have a ball and bring together all the other tribes. It's so rare that we all get together; I think it's time we changed that. Maybe you will be able to find your mate there, or at least someone you can see taking as your mate," she remarked.

"Why do you want me to find a mate so badly?" I asked, thinking about what she said and feeling uncomfortable, but I wasn't sure why. It's not like I had a mate right now.

"I think you'll be happy finding your mate; look at Thazel and Indi. Plus, you're next in line to take over if something happens to her or your father, and I decide you're the better fit," she said matter-of-factly.

"Would you do that? Thazel has been preparing for years to take over the tribe," I reminded her, thinking of all the time Thazel spent trying to be the perfect mate and leader.

"Your father and I have been considering it only because of Indi. He's so hard and serious, and I'm not sure he has what it takes to help her lead," my mom told me.

"Mom, I don't want to lead this tribe, plus Thazel would be devastated," I reminded her.

"I know, but unfortunately, sometimes we have to do things we don't want to. Your father and I are tasked with making the best decision for this tribe. It might happen soon, and you'd need to find a mate first, so I think this ball is so important."

She said all this like it had already been decided, but how had such drastic changes been made while I was in the infirmary? Thazel was always the one who was going to take over. She had been practicing since she was young, and my parents loved Indi. He was the perfect rule follower and didn't bother letting his emotions control him. I wasn't even sure he had emotions.

We entered the dining hall and took our seats beside my dad; it looked like Thazel and Indi were absent. It was hard to focus on anything else, with the weight of potentially running the earth fairies now on my shoulders. What had happened while I was out? It felt like I had woken up in one tribe the other morning, and now I was waking up in a completely different one. Once I was finished eating here, I would go to Gwena's house and see if she was gone; something didn't feel right.