Thirty Nights Forgotten

Chapter 19: A Different Person

Addy’s POV

Before I even open my eyes, I can already tell that something isn’t right. My body feels weighed down, like my limbs are made out of sandbags that are too heavy to move. My muscles and joints feel stiff and achy, as though I’m an old woman and not a young twentysomething.

When I open my eyes, the room doesn’t completely come into focus, and everything looks a little hazy. My mind is shrouded in a fog that I can’t explain, making it difficult to think properly.

What the hell is wrong with me?

All I know is that I’m incredibly thirsty, which is why when I hear Sayah coming into the living room with my breakfast tray, I feel a bit of relief – even if I find her a bit uncomfortable to be around.

“Your breakfast is ready in the sitting room,” she says, peeking through the door into my room.

“Actually, could you bring it in here?” I ask, struggling to sit up. “I’m not feeling too well today.”

With a curt nod, Sayah’s head disappears momentarily before she reappears in the doorway with the tray. Without so much as a word, she sets it down on the bed and goes to wait in the corner.

I’d much rather prefer to eat alone than have her hovering in the corner like a creep. I need to find a task for her to do, but there’s only one thing that pops into my head.

“Um, Sayah? Could you go fetch a doctor or something?”

She acknowledges my request with a quick nod before leaving the bedroom, much to my relief. As I sit up, I’m starting to feel a little lightheaded. I must be sick, but I’m sure I’ll be fine after taking some medicine.

It isn’t long before I hear someone entering the room, but when Elijah appears in the doorway, I’m surprised.

“Are you sick, Annabelle?”

He immediately rushes over to my side, taking my hand in his as he sits on the edge of the bed. His brow is furrowed in concern as he looks me over.

“I just feel a little under the weather,” I reply quickly. “I’m sure it’s nothing to be worried about.”

I’m a little annoyed that Sayah went running straight to the king and not for a doctor, but there’s nothing I can do about that now. Personally, I’d rather the king didn’t see me looking so sickly in my pajamas without my hair or makeup done.

“I will have the royal mage come up to check in on you,” he says gently. “I had a nice dinner planned for the terrace tonight, but we can reschedule to tomorrow night if you are feeling unwell.”

I can’t help but feel a little flutter in my chest at his words; I mean, he went to all that trouble to plan a date for us tonight? And as soon as he heard I was sick, he immediately rushed to my side.

Clearly, he’s very attentive and tender toward me, and I’m disappointed that I don’t remember him at all. I could really use this chance tonight to get to know him once again.

“I’m sure with just a little medicine, I’ll be alright,” I answer. “Let me just spend the day resting, and I’ll join you tonight for dinner. I’m sure I’ll be fine by then. Besides, I’d hate for you to go to all that trouble just to cancel.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, but there’s no mistaking the eagerness behind his gaze.

“Of course. I’m looking forward to it.”

He brings my hand up to press his lips against it. His touch sends a delicious shiver up my spine, and I’m suddenly very determined to get well as quickly as I can.

After King Elijah leaves, a mage comes up to examine me and gives me an herbal remedy to mix in with hot tea. I have Sayah bring me a cup every hour, on the hour, while I sneak naps in between. By the time the afternoon rolls around, it’s time for me to get ready, and I’m feeling a little better.

However, my head still feels trapped in a haze, but I figure another night of sleep will be all I need to feel back to normal. As much as I want to reflect upon everything that King Elijah filled me in on yesterday, I find it too difficult to focus on anything. Nothing about my past seems to make sense.

But tonight, I just want to enjoy getting to know my mate. A fated mate sounds like such a blessing, and to think that mine is so attentive and handsome seems like icing on the cake.

I must have done something really good in my past life to deserve such a man.

After Sayah helps me with my hair and makeup, I get dressed in another elegant ballgown before I head downstairs. I want everything to be perfect for my date with Elijah tonight, especially since I probably looked like a hot mess this morning when he came to visit.

When I exit the doors onto the terrace, the look on his face makes me smile. Clearly, my outfit had the desired effect, since his eyes can’t stop staring at me.

However, I’m starting to feel a little lightheaded after the long walk downstairs, but I ignore it as I head over to greet him. But as I approach, I’m hit with a dizzy spell that sends me falling forward.

Strong arms catch me in their embrace before I hit the ground. As my head clears, I blink slowly up at Elijah, who’s holding me tightly against his broad chest.

Oh, wow. Our faces are really close together right now.

“Annabelle? Are you alright?”

“It’s nothing,” I say breathlessly, enjoying our proximity. “Just a little dizzy spell.”

As he helps me straighten up, I’m a little disappointed that our moment is over, but I’m grateful when he helps me to my chair. I immediately take a long sip of water as he takes the seat opposite me, where he gestures for a servant to bring out our dinner.

“I’m glad you were able to make it down tonight,” he says, smiling softly at me. “Forgive me, but I never thought I would see you again in this lifetime.”

“Thank you for putting this together. It’s very thoughtful of you.”

“I’ve prepared all of your favorite dishes, my darling. Split pea soup to start, along with pickled fish for our entrée. And, of course, there’s rhubarb pie for dessert. Everything we used to eat in the north.”

Honestly, none of that sounds very appealing, but I figure they must taste better than they sound. However, when the pea soup is set in front of me, it’s an unsettling shade of brownish-green. Running my spoon through it, it’s a clumpy mess, and I really can’t imagine putting it in my mouth.

“What’s wrong?”

My face must have given away my disgust, because when I glance up at Elijah, he looks a tad…offended.

“Oh, nothing,” I say quickly. “Just not sure my stomach can handle any food right now.”

Nice save!

“If that’s the case, the soup will settle your stomach,” he answers. “Eat up.”

Ugh.

Gingerly, I raise the spoon to my lips, closing my eyes as I taste the soup. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be, but I certainly don’t see how I could have possibly ever enjoyed this in my former life. Maybe dying and coming back from the dead messed with my taste buds.

The pickled fish isn’t much better, but I eat a few bites to appease Elijah. I’d hate to hurt his feelings after all the work he put into this dinner for us tonight. The rhubarb pie isn’t horrible, but I would have preferred something a little sweeter.

Throughout the meal, he tells me a little bit more about my former life as Annabelle, offering small anecdotes about how strong and brave she was on the battlefield, but also a fair and graceful luna to the Ice Moon Pack. Honestly, I’m not sure how I could live up to any of that, but I suppose I’ll have to give it time.

It just seems like I’m a completely different person than who he’s describing. But then again, I’m not really sure who I am. He would know me better than anyone as my mate.

“You seem rather pale, my darling. Shall I escort you upstairs to your room?”

“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.”

I’m feeling completely worn out, but when he helps me from my chair, he offers his elbow to me. As I entwine my arm around his, I can’t help but feel a small thrill of excitement as we head in together, side-by-side.

We walk in a comfortable silence up the stairs toward my room, and when we come to a stop in front of my door, it feels like the date is coming to a close. However, when he turns his hooded gaze onto me, I realize he’s going to give me a good night kiss.

As he leans down over me, something begins stirring in my gut. A small voice in the back of my mind is telling me this is a bad idea, which takes me by surprise.

Didn’t I want this? So why is it that the closer he gets, the more I panic?

Turning my face away, his lips connect with my cheek as my breath comes in shallow, nervous pants.

What the hell is wrong with me!?

Here I am with this hot, attractive wolf-king, but when it comes to the moment to take our relationship to the next level, something in my gut is telling me to run.

“Annabelle, why are you turning away from me?”

His brow is furrowed as he leans back, staring down at me with a mixture of emotions I can’t decipher.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, averting my gaze to the floor. “I…I think I just need a little more time.”

A flash of irritation crosses his face, but he quickly recovers. However, I definitely noticed it, and I’m not sure what to make of his reaction.

“I understand,” he nods curtly. “I suppose I’m just eager to be more…intimate with my mate. I thought you would be drawn to me the same way I am to you.”

“I am drawn to you!” I insist. “This is just a lot for me, you know? I don’t remember who you are, or even who I am. I just need some time to get used to it all.”

“Of course, my darling. I will wait for you as long as it takes.”

He steps closer, leaning down to whisper in my ear. His deep, low voice makes me shiver, and I don’t know if it’s from delight or fear.

“Just don’t keep me waiting too long, Annabelle.”