Page 42 of Fade With Me

“According to the legend,” Zeke continued, his eyes still locked in that trance-like focus. He leaned forward, his body nearly brushing mine. “The Siphon’s power allows its wearer to drain a magical being’s essence through the Ruby, leaving them hollow. From there, they can manipulate the victim’s memories, erase them, twist them into lies, further enslaving their mind.”

His hand hovered near the ring, drawn by something unseen. The air around the stone vibrated, and his fingers trembled, aching to touch it but holding back.

Then, as if snapping free, he tore his gaze away and blinked rapidly, the ring’s grip finally seeming to loosen.

The words hung suspended, and for a brief moment, the surrounding forest seemed to mourn the fate of those who wore them.

Without daring to look back at me, he kept his eyes fixed on the swaying trees. “Reggie forced the Ruby on you to harness your abilities. That’s why you feel mortal now. He’s siphoning your powers, using them as his own, and erasing your memories to make sure you never try to take them back.”

His words clicked into place. It all made sense now.

“Without it, he could never claim the throne. But the dark magic...it’s changing him, warping him with each passing day.”

I swallowed hard, the realization settling over me like fog. This was it, the truth behind everything. He never wanted a partner, never wanted a real marriage. I wasn’ta wife to him. I was an extension of his will, a tool to control, a pawn in his twisted game. He’d been using me all along. Deep down, I’d always known Reggie didn’t truly value me, but this…this was something darker. How had I been so blind?

Then Zeke’s expression shifted, softer now. His crystal-blue eyes locked onto mine, intense, unwavering, as if searching for some remnant of who I used to be.

“I’ve figured it out,” he said, taking both my hands and tugging me back to the moment. “How to break the curse. If we sever the bond between the rings, everything unravels, your powers, your memories, it will all come back. The rings only hold power when they’re bound to the same realm.”

His voice brimmed with hope, but I couldn’t feel it. Doubt still clung to me, cold and heavy, like frost under my skin.

He took a slow breath, the brightness in his eyes dimming slightly as his tone grew quieter. “That ring, it’s not a symbol of love or devotion. It’s a cage—an invisible one.”

He paused, jaw clenched, determination setting every line of his face. “But I swear, Bryn, I’ll get you out of it.”

The realization hit like a storm, tearing through everything I thought I knew. The ring—Reggie’s ring—was never a promise. It had always been a prison.

And I was the one who’d lived in it.

fifteen

We sat in silence, the forest’s stillness wrapping around us like a dense cloak. The only sounds were the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional creak of branches swaying in the breeze, a stark contrast to the heaviness between us.

I felt the solid earth beneath me, the rough bark of the tree pressing against my back, and the warmth of the sun on my skin. The air carried the faint scent of damp moss and sunbaked wood, grounding me in the present, yet even the serene surroundings couldn’t shake the heavy unease that lingered.

The ruby on my finger felt anchored to me, a constant reminder of what Reggie had taken. It wasn’t just a ring; it was a symbol of my stolen identity, a life that was never truly mine. In the stillness, I could almost feel the ache of that loss, the void carved by Reggie’s manipulation.

I looked down at the ring, hollow emptiness spreading through me as anguish surged within. The pressure was unbearable, like a vice gripping my chest. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision, but I refused to let them fall.

Despair twisted into frustration, sharp and sudden, igniting something. My fingers curled around the ring, tightening as anger surged through me. I yanked at it, pulling with all my strength, but it remained unyielding and immovable, mocking me. The more I struggled, the more helplessness crept in, wrapping itself around my resolve like iron shackles.

Compassion filled Zeke’s eyes as he reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I wish it were that simple.”

My voice cracked, desperation tinging each word. “We just need to separate the rings, right? Can’t someone just…fade me out of here? Take me to another realm, somewhere far from Reggie?”

His face tightened, his shoulders slumping slightly, as though my words had taken a toll on him. He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck, before speaking. “Yes, but—”

I snapped, “Then why don’t you just do it? Why are we still talking? Isn’t that the answer?” My pulse thudded in my ears, impossible to ignore. I hated the crack in my voice near the end, hated that I couldn't hold myself together.

His lips curved into a subtle smile. “I’m flattered that you’re implying I’m more powerful than you, but I assure you, I’m not.” His gaze met mine, charged with an undeniable force. “To fade you—to pull you from this place—I need your full, unwavering commitment to leaving with me.”

“But I don’t have any power!” I blurted, throwing up my hands in exasperation. Frustration edged my voice as I fought to contain the wave of defeat rising inside me.

He spoke carefully, afraid of pushing me further. “The power still belongs to you,” he said, steady and composed. “You can’t access it right now, but the ring keeps it tethered to you. Reggie’s…borrowing it. But at its core, it’s still yours. And like I told you, these realms are cloaked in powerful magic. If you don’t fade with me, I may never find my way back. I can’t risk leaving you here.”

He leaned in, his eyes searching mine with a depth that felt like it reached into my soul. “Do you trust me, Bryn?”

The question lodged itself deep in my gut. What proof did I have that Zekewastrustworthy? How could I knowI wasn’t just trading one kind of captivity for another? Reggie’s warning echoed in my mind:If you ever try to leave me, I promise you, you’ll regret it.

---