Page 70 of The Lord of the Labyrinth

A gentle, melodic voice echoed in the mist around her. “We meet at last... Kate of the Winslows.”

Kate stood still, holding her breath as a figure made of starlight appeared. The figure who came toward her was so beautiful it hurt to look at her. She glowed with a light that made Kate think of sunlight rather than moonlight. The blue gown she wore was the color of a perfect summer sky. It was the color of Roan’s eyes when he smiled.

“Who are you?”

The woman stopped a short distance away from Kate. “My name is Thalia.” She smiled as she took another few steps in Kate’s direction. Kate gasped. A trail of brightly colored flowers bloomed in the wake of the woman’s footprints.

“Thalia... you’re Roan and Eudora’s mother.” Kate looked around at the silver woods. Was this a place out of space and time, as Roan had said? Goosebumps broke out on her arms as she realized this place did feel strange. It felt as though nothing moved or everchangedhere.

“I am.” The woman held out a hand. For reasons she couldn’t explain, Kate instantly trusted her. She placed her hand in Thalia’s. Something about her gentle grip stirred feelings within Kate’s chest that made her heart ache. She was supposed to remember…but remember what?

“Roan needs you.” What compelled her to say that, Kate didn’t know, but part of her feared she might upset Roan’s mother. “You have to come back.”

Thalia didn’t seem upset. “My son has always been alone. Born with the magic of Seelie and Unseelie, he has never felt he could be accepted... just as you have felt most of your life. Standing alone made you both strong. You share that same strength of people born to such vast loneliness. But you cannot survive alone forever. Even the mightiest of trees still grow strongest when in the midst of a forest. You and Roan are stronger together.”

Kate shook her head. “I’m not strong. I can’t fight at his side. I can’t protect him. I have no power here. I’m just...human.”

Thalia shook her head. “He doesn’t need you to carry a sword. You possess far greater weapons, greater ways to protect those you care about.”

Thalia began to walk and Kate followed, still holding the woman’s hand. The fear and anxiety she’d felt in the cave were long gone. She was safe in the silver woods with this woman who felt so much like a mother to her. If she’d had a mother...

“What weapons do I have?” Kate asked.

“Love,” Thalia said. “It is the first magic, thetruestmagic... and it can be wielded by anyone. Come with me. I wish to show you something.”

They stopped beside a river that ran through the woods. Kate watched the clear water rush over the smooth river stones. It was strange, but she seemed unable to conjure up any worries or fears.

“Before I show you, we must discuss what’s happened to you.” Thalia placed her hands on Kate’s shoulders, peering into her eyes.

Kate blinked. “I don’t understand.”

“My son has done something to you. Something many would see as unforgiveable.”

That was impossible. He’d only ever shown her pleasure and taken care of her. She couldn’t imagine what he’d done to her that would be unforgiveable.

“In his misguided attempt to protect you, he has stolen something precious from you.”

“He hasn’t, he?—”

Eudora’s voice came back to her.He’s robbed her of her memories.

At the time she’d been so worried about Roan and the battle with the Seelie that she hadn’t stopped to process what Eudora had said.

“Yes,” Thalia said gently, as if she’d heard Eudora’s voice in her head. “He took away everything dark and sorrowful. Everything memory he believed you would be better off without. He also believed that if you couldn’t remember your life, your brother, that you’d choose to stay with him forever.”

He’d taken away something that had hurt her. How could that be unforgiveable? She didn’t want memories that hurt her. Why would anyone? And he’d done it to keep her here with him. She should be angry about that, that he’d do something like that control her emotions, but…he’d taken away the pain. How could she be angry at him for that?

“Is that such a bad thing? I don’t feel any different.” In fact, Kate had never felt clearer, freer. She wasn’t certain that the memories were worth anything but pain.

Thalia lifted Kate’s chin so that she met the woman’s eyes. “He took from you everything he wished someone else would take from him, but he does not understand, and he does not have that right. I will return your memories to you?—”

“No!” Kate jerked her chin free of Thalia’s grasp. She didn’t want to feel any more pain or sorrow. “I don’t want them back.” She turned to flee, but Thalia’s voice halted her.

“Without the pain of life’s worst moments, you can never truly know the value of your greatest joys. He took all of it from you, not just the bad, but also the good. What we experience, the good and the bad, teaches us the most important lessons in life. We must look inward and ask ourselves who we want to be. Without those lessons, you would never know what matters to you, what you would move heaven and earth to protect and love. To love my son, to save him, you must accept all of who you are, Kate of the Winslows. The good and the bad. You are the sum of all your dreams, your memories, your desires, your grief, and your joys.”

Kate turned, her heart filling with hope. “You think he loves me?”

Thalia smiled. “In a thousand years, my son has never let anyone close to his heart, except you. You have traveled where others have tried and failed. You have gone deeper into the labyrinth than anyone else, and the dark paths have remained clear of most of its dangers. You, the woman he loves, have shown courage within those walls. Because of who you are, you not only survived, you stood strong. You got back up on your feet whenever you were dealt a blow.”

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