Page 14 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

His lips moved, but nothing came out, and he made a small, frustrated sound.

"That is all right." She gently patted the back of his hand. "It will come."

She said the same thing to the second, the third, and the fourth. She had been doing it three times a day since Wednesday because it seemed important for them to hear someone speak a familiar language, even though they still could not make out the words or recognize her.

None of them had so much as blinked at her father's name.

She had been the most talked-about person of her age, and these four males had served in her father's guard before being assigned to Khiann. They should have recognized Ahn's name.

Annani went back to Khiann's bed, sat down, and started rocking.

The bargain she had made with the Fates had been Khiann's life for his memories of her. She had not said anything about the other four, so why had they lost their memories too?

It was possible it was just the effect of prolonged stasis and that the Fates had nothing to do with it, but it was also possible the bargain included Khiann and those with him.

It reminded her of the spindle-and-hedge-of-thorns story, or Sleeping Beauty, as it was now called. The whole court went down with the princess. The cook, the scullery maid, the horses in the stable, and even the flies on the wall. A hundred years of sleep because one girl had triggered a curse.

Nobody in that story had asked the cook whether she had agreed to share her princess's fate.

"I never asked for you to be included in the bargain," Annani said in the old tongue. "But if your memories were the payment the Fates demanded for your lives and minds, then it was a good trade, and I do not regret making it for you."

None of the four looked up.

As the double doors swung open, Annani turned the ingenious rocking chair, which also swiveled, and smiled at Alena, who walked in with her phone clutched in her hand.

"I talked to Esag." Alena crossed the room and stopped at the foot of Khiann's bed. "He's hurt because he isn't allowed to see Khiann. He didn't say that, but he didn't need to. It was obvious from the way he sounded."

Annani tightened her lips. If Alena thought she could emotionally blackmail her, she was mistaken.

"He had a suggestion," Alena continued when she realized her gambit had failed. "He wants me to photograph the four guards and send him the pictures. He thinks he might recognize their faces."

"That is a very good idea."

"It's the second-best idea, and you know what the best one is." Alena slipped the phone into a pocket of her skirt. "Invite Esag to come look at them himself."

"Not yet."

"Mother."

"Do not 'mother' me, Alena. Just look at them." Annani gestured toward the row of beds and kept her voice low. "These males woke two days ago into a world they do not recognize. They cannot speak, and every so often, a new face leans over them, moves its mouth, and makes sounds that mean nothing to them. We will do them a disservice by letting too many people in here. They need to feel safe, and seeing the same faces every time they surface helps them."

"Esag is not a stranger. He's Khiann's best friend, and he's just one male. I'm not talking about inviting Roven and Davuh as well."

Annani did not answer.

"For what it's worth," Bridget said from across the room, "I don't have a problem with Esag coming, provided it's just him."

Annani shot her a glare.

Bridget was not the kind of woman who withered under a hard look, even one from a goddess. "Esag speaks their language fluently, which could be very helpful. Honestly, if he can follow directions, I'd put him on shift."

"He is a woodcarver, Bridget. Not a medical practitioner."

"I'm well aware of Esag's talents." The doctor maintained a steady, unwavering gaze. "I see him every time Tula comes for a checkup, and he's well-behaved and polite."

"He did not use to be." Annani looked at the line of beds. "He was very spirited as a young immortal. But I will think about it."

Alena and Bridget exchanged a look as if she could not see it.