KYLA's POV
A hand clutched mine, anchoring me to the bed as I struggled to resurface from the darkness. My eyelids fluttered open, but the world around me was a hazy blur. I forced myself to focus, my gaze slowly clearing like morning fog.
As my eyes locked onto the figure before me, a blood-curdling scream tore from my throat. “Ahhhhhh!” The sound echoed through my mind, making my head throb in agony.
I pinched myself, desperate to shake off the vivid dream. But the figure remained, its presence palpable and unyielding. I reached out again, my trembling fingers brushing against the hand that still grasped mine.
“No, no, I'm dreaming again,” I groaned, the pain and desperation etched in my voice. But deep down, a spark of hope flickered to life. What if this wasn't just a dream? What if this was my reality?
I dared to look again, my heart racing with anticipation. The figure's face was still shrouded in shadows, its features obscured. However, as I gazed deeper, a glimmer of familiarity danced at the edges of my memory.
“This is real,” the figure assured me, a warm smile spreading across her face. “We had feared the worst, my lady. We thought you were… gone.”
I flung my arms around her, tears of joy streaming down my face as I wailed, “Kira!” My voice trembled with emotion, relief washing over me like a tidal wave.
“How did you find me?” I asked, still clinging to her as I pulled back to gaze at her face. My eyes scanned every inch of her features, drinking in the familiar sight of her.
“You are safe now, my lady,” Kira reassured me, her voice soft and soothing. “You're home.”
I felt a lump form in my throat as I whispered, “I thought I'd never see you again.” The words were laced with both joy and bitterness, the weight of my ordeal lingering.
Kira's expression turned somber, her eyes clouding over with concern. “We were searching everywhere for you, my lady,” she said, her voice filled with conviction. “We'd never give up on you.”
The door swung open with a soft creak, and Kira's voice rang out in a respectful tone, “Her Majesty.”
A stately woman with an air of quiet authority glided into the room, her royal attire a testament to her elevated status. Her gaze locked onto mine, filled with concern and warmth.
“Kyla, are you quite all right?” she asked, her voice low and soothing as she moved closer to me.
I watched, still dazed, as she carefully inspected my body, her brow furrowed in worry. Her hands, soft and gentle, cupped my chin, and she gazed into my eyes, relief written across her face.
“It's a blessing you're unharmed,” she said, her voice tinged with gratitude.
As she drew back, her expression turned calm and inquiring. “What happened, child?” she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
I shook my head, still struggling to make sense of my surroundings. “I… I don't know,” I stammered, feeling a sense of disorientation wash over me.
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze piercing. “You seem lost,” she observed, her voice soft with compassion.
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. As I gazed up at her, a question formed on my lips. “Who are you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Kira, who is she?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as I turned to Kira, who stood attentively behind the queen.
Kira's expression was a mask of confusion. “What do you mean by 'who is she'?” she asked, her brow furrowed in surprise.
The queen's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. “Destrix!” she called out, her voice authoritative.
An elderly man with a kind face and wispy gray hair hurried into the grand room. He wore a long, flowing robe with intricate embroidery, and his eyes twinkled with warmth.
“What seems to be the matter, Your Majesty?” he asked, his voice soothing.
The queen's expression turned grave. “She appears to be… lost,” she explained, her eyes never leaving mine.
Destrix's gaze locked onto mine, and he stretched out his wrinkled hands, placing them over my forehead. His mouth moved in a silent chant, and a soft, blue glow emanated from his fingertips.
The sensation was calming, yet it stirred something deep within me. I felt a shiver run down my spine as Destrix removed his hands and bowed low to the queen.
“Her Majesty, it appears the queen has suffered a loss of memories,” he said, his voice laced with concern. “The trauma of her ordeal must have triggered a mental block.”
The queen's face fell, her eyes clouding over with worry. “We must help her regain her memories,” she said, her voice firm with determination.
I felt a surge of fear mixed with curiosity. What memories had I lost? And what lay hidden in the recesses of my mind?
A deep, masculine voice resonated through the room, echoing off the walls as a tall, handsome man entered with majestic strides. His chiseled features were accentuated by the warm glow of the room, his face radiant like the morning sun.
“Kyla,” he called out, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down my spine.
As he approached me, I felt a sense of trepidation. Who was this stranger, and why did he seem so familiar?
“Who are you?” I asked, flinching as he gently touched my face. His eyes, piercing blue and filled with concern, locked onto mine.
“Your husband,” he replied, his voice laced with worry.
My mind screamed in protest. What? How could that be? I had no memory of being married. When did this happen?
“Married?” I repeated, my voice shaking as I turned to the others in the room. But they all exchanged surprised glances, their mouths agape.
The queen's eyes widened in shock, while Kira's face paled. Destrix, the elderly man, looked like he had been punched in the gut.
“What happened ?” the handsome stranger asked, his voice tinged with anger and confusion.
The room fell silent, with all eyes on me. What had happened to me? Why did I have no memory of my life, my marriage, or my past?