Chapter 265 Clarifications (1)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

Carrying Leah in his arms, Ishakan walked to the place where the other Kurkans were waiting. There was no hesitation as they left the palace. There was no need even to speak. Lying quietly in his arms, Leah rested her head on his chest and listened to the strong beat of his heart.

She only came to her senses when he finally came to a halt in front of an old inn near the city center that felt strangely familiar. Many Kurkans were waiting there, and though Ishakan had covered her torn clothing with a robe, she shrank automatically before the dozens of eyes.

At a wave of Ishakans hand, all of the waiting Kurkans lowered their heads.

They surely meant no harm; they were only curious. But none of them said a word or lifted their eyes as Ishakan passed them and climbed the stairs.

When he made his way to the room at the end of the corridor, it also felt oddly familiar, and as soon as he set her down, he helped her change clothes. The comfortable Kurkan-style nightgown was loose over the slight roundness of her belly.

I still havent recovered my memories, she told him.

I know.

Taking her hand, he stroked it.

But you did something everyone thought was impossible, he whispered, and lifted her hand to his lips. I am proud of you.

Leah ducked her head, automatically. She wasnt used to hearing compliments, and the tips of her ears blazed red amidst the silver locks of her hair.

And Ishakan only caressed her more, smiling as his fingers moved over the slim bones of her wrist.

Even without regaining her memories, she felt free.

Leaving Blain behind, she had felt absolutely nothing. Her heart had been as cold as snow. She had even gone as far as feeling hatred for him. She was not completely free of the spell, but knowing that her feelings were once again hers filled her with joy.

Leah remembered the iron door she had seen in her dream. Thanks to the baby wolfs help, she had broken the chain wrapped around it. Now she only needed to open the lock. It seemed impossible. How would she open a lock that had no key? But the thought did not frighten her anymore.

She would do it. She would take back her memories.

***

That night, Leah stayed at the inn. She wasnt even sure when she fell asleep; it seemed as soon as the tension from her confrontation with Blain finally faded away, she had immediately lapsed into unconsciousness. Leah woke the next morning as the sun was rising.

And Ishakan was the first thing she saw.

It was embarrassing but satisfying to see him the moment she opened her eyes, and they bathed together and then had breakfast.

They spoke of the things they couldnt the day before. Part of the spell had been broken, but there were still too many problems remaining to be easy. Ishakan refused to even let go of her hands.

I will not leave you alone, he said, and Leah remembered the people in the palace, moving about like puppets on a string.

Somehow, she had a feeling that she would become one of them.

Blain would do it to get his hands on her. With his insane fury, he would do anything, and now that she had told him she didnt love him, he wouldnt hesitate. Leah was silent for a long time.

What was in that potion the old Toma woman gave me? She asked finally.

Its a simple potion, Ishakan replied. Its used to change hair color. Morga could create it, too.

Well, Leah hadnt expected the old woman to have great powers. If she had, she likely would not have asked for Leahs help from the beginning. But perhaps that potion was a clue to something else.

As soon as she thought of that, Leahs mind began working frantically.

Her goal was to break the spell on the people of the palace by forcing them to realize there was something wrong. And why else would the Toma woman have given her a potion that changed hair color? Even as she was speculating, Ishakan said it aloud.

I think I know what this is for, he said, and reached to tug a lock of Leahs hair, looking at the gleaming silver coiling over the palm of his hand. Blain. That sounds more like a blond mans name.

The moment he said it, Leah understood what he was proposing. It was as if someone had struck her hard in the back of her head.

Leah covered her mouth with her hand.

Many things came to her mind, but more than anything else, the image of Blain floated in her minds eye. A man who looked nothing at all like Leah, or the dead King who was supposed to be his father.

He only looked like Cerdina