Three weeks ago

Asha?

Rhode met Kain's stare and a deep flush began creeping into her cheeks. Her pale-knuckled fingers curled into the skirt of her dress. He realized, then, that there was something else in the embarrassment staining her expression. Wariness, perhaps? Fear? Uncertainty?

"Rhode?" Melitta prompted, voice soft.

Despite the lack of accusation in the tone, Rhode still took a step back as she released her skirt with one hand, instead wrapping it around her middle. Something's wrong.

"Wait, did the lot of you not know?" Isidor asked.

Kain didn't answer, his thoughts focused on the mystery in front of them.

Rhode's fear was reasonable.

If the 'Asha' Isidor was referring to was the infamous "killer" queen, there were many people, and reactions, to fear.

Kain was too young to have experienced it himself, but he'd heard from Artemios that Akaikos' death had split Eol in a devastating way. Akaikos had been a man of the people, and in the years since, Eolian nobility had flourished while the common folk starved. Many wistfully remembered the king and queen as they had been--royalty who stood in bread lines to distribute to the poor, bright minds who created laws that had since been torn apart by greed--and were suspicious when blame fell to Asha. But, there had been witnesses and evidence, so the people accepted it, and chose to hate someone they had formally hailed as a saint.

It was unlikely that the common sentiment had changed given how much suffering they'd experienced. If Rhode truly was Asha, and it became common knowledge, disaster could only follow.

So, the wariness made sense.

But what was the rest of her expression? Embarrassment felt out of place. As did the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty that seemed to fill her. He was missing something.

"I-I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Kain echoed, confused.

Before Rhode could offer anything else--if she had even intended to--there was the sound of shifting fabric and Callias' soft murmur of his sister's name. Kain glanced over his shoulder to find Melitta struggling to her feet. Shaking off Callias' concerned hand, she slowly approached the siren.

"Whatever you are thinking, Rhode, it is fine. You do not have to tell us the story if you are unwilling. I am only glad this came out now, before our lack of knowledge would have created danger."

Rhode flinched. "Unintentionally."

Melitta's features softened in understanding. Even Callias' expression seemed to say he'd picked up what had escaped Kain. Rhode, seeming to read this in his face, slid her hand up from her middle to shift short curls away from her cheek.

"It is a long story," she murmured. "One I would share if I could. But, without Dalphie..."

"Have you seen her?" Kain asked, remembering his previous concern.

"That's--" Rhode hesitated. It was a strange sight. Usually, confidence laced every one of the siren's actions. At the moment, however, she looked to be struggling.

"I wouldn't worry," Melitta cut in, her eyes flicking towards Kain. "Dalphie is likely fine. Inna was seen here, recently, right? The goddess probably took Dalphie with her."

Rhode nodded, grateful. "That's...likely the case."

"Share what you feel comfortable with, Rhode," Melitta continued. "Whether that is nothing, or everything you can remember, no one here will judge. We all have our secrets."

"If this is the standard of your secrets, I'm afraid to know what else you've hidden," Isidor commented. Melitta shot him a look that had the witch grimacing, but notably silent after.

Rhode's fingers played with her hair for a moment, her brow furrowed with thought. Then, with a dry edge to the soft smile she offered them, she spoke.

"Most sirens miss memories. It is more common the older they are, given one of our gifts has an inclination for memory theft, but it isn't unheard of for the goddess made to receive a blank slate as a rebirth gift."

"Goddess made?" Kain questioned, his stomach twisting.

It was common for sirens to lose their memories? What of Iliana, then?

No, this wasn't the time to be thinking of her. Besides, she'd called his name in the mountains. Iliana knew who he was, at least. That would have to be enough for now.

"I'm uncertain how familiar you are with the customs of the Children given your heritage. To explain simply, goddess, or god, made usually refers to those created directly by their god, and not by an artifact gifted to the oldest of their kind. You can usually identify us by our eyes."

Rhode's hand crept up to touch just below her disguised eyes. Kain's memory provided the rich green he usually associated with her.

"Those made by their god tend to have an eye color that matches the aura of the god. Legend says it's a sign they're overflowing with the god's blessing."

"I understand," Kain said when she paused. Rhode nodded, dropping her hand.

"I do not know all the details of my rebirth, only what Dalphie has shared with me over the years. We fled Eol together--" Rhode cut herself off, a wryness infecting her sad smile. "Well, together is a bit of a stretch. I had already died at the time. Dalphie had bribed a witch doctor to create her a soul charm. When I passed, it bound my soul so a reaper couldn't collect it.

"Somehow, she made it to the island without wrecking, or being caught along the way. Luckily Inna was there at the time, and willing to accept us. My earliest memory is of the goddess' voice asking me if she should remove 'my before.' I remember feeling grateful, and desperate. The me of that time wanted nothing more than to escape my memories. So, the goddess granted me that.

"All I've ever known is my life as a siren. Even my name is something Inna gave me. Dalphie remembers what came before, but she never talks about it beyond minor details. She said it was better not to know."

"But you recognized her?" Kain asked, looking to Isidor.

The witch shrugged.

"My parents kept portraits of her. She's the spitting image of Asha at the height of her power," he paused, glancing at Rhode. "The tanned color of Reotak, long coal-colored curls, beauty and grace. The only difference was the eyes, which was explainable, as she's said. A human might not have recognized her as easily, but any of the children who have seen Asha's likeness would read Inna's power off of her and make the same guess I have."

"He's right. I recognized her even without her being present," Callias said.

Kain glanced back at the merman. His face was unreadable as he shrugged, gaze on Rhode. "I saw a painting while we were traveling. I hadn't seen an image of Asha since I was a child, so I didn't put the details together until then. But, the moment I saw the painting, I recognized her."

"You'll have to stay away from nobility as you travel," Isidor informed them. "Even with my charm disguising her eyes and aura, I can only do so much. She'll still draw attention, just like any siren, and I can't do anything about her hair."

"A siren's appearance, in some key ways, is set at rebirth," Rhode explained, likely having caught Kain's questioning frown. "My natural magic would wear at the charm too quickly for it to be useful. The eyes do not matter because they're Inna's power, not a part of the perfect self I imagined when I became what I am."

Hesitancy flooded Kain's mind. If that was the case...

"You probably shouldn't come to the capital with us," he pointed out.

Rhode flinched. He could see in her face that she knew he was right, but still, the siren slowly shook her head.

"I...want to see it. And, I believe this is where Inna wants me to be. If it wasn't...wouldn't she have taken me away? Like Dalphie?"

Weren't you guessing that was what happened? Kain wondered. When did the guess become a certainty?

"You're likely right," Isidor grumbled. "Gods like Inna are protective of the ones they've made. She wouldn't have left you in danger if she didn't want it."

And, just like that, it was decided Rhode would come with them. Despite any attempt at dissuasion on Kain's part, Rhode's mind was set, and Melitta was unwilling to budge when it came to respecting that. Even Callias only shrugged when Kain looked to him for back-up.

Curiosity about the whole issue burned deep in his mind, but he couldn't forget the expression Rhode had entered the clinic with. Whatever the truth of the past was--as he couldn't imagine Rhode being a cold-blooded killer who assassinated her husband and child--she was scared of it all. He couldn't bring himself to question her, and force her to think about something that obviously hurt.

So, instead, he let Melitta drive the conversation into the lighter topic of what supplies they would need as time trickled forward. Dinner came and passed, and soon, the day was over without another visit to the issue.

The next morning, a messenger arrived while Isidor was double-checking their healed injuries.

Kain's sword was ready.

"I'll come with you," Melitta said.

Kain paused on his path towards the door, his eyes flicking to Callias. The merman stood next to Melitta's cot, packing away the sibling's supplies in their respective satchels. Melitta's words had tugged his attention towards Kain, but he hadn't made to step away from the cot. Pleasant surprise warmed his chest. Was that Callias' way of trusting Kain?

"Alright," Kain agreed.

Together they left the clinic. For the most part, the town had recovered. Traders, merchants, and farmers bustled this way and that, too busy with their daily life to spare more than a single, extended stare in Kain and Melitta's direction. It was a welcome relief from the previous day.

"You seem to be thinking hard," Melitta observed.

"I'm just...glad they seem to have moved on," Kain said, gesturing around them. "There was a lot of whispering before."

"Regular folk have more important things to do than gossip about a hero and a mermaid," Melitta noted with a wry smile.

"You're a hero, too, you know," Kain replied. "Moreso than me."

He stopped talking, silence hanging between them as the memory of Melitta shielding Iliana surged through his mind. His heart skipped with the incredible fear that had filled that second. He had been certain she would die there, back stained crimson with the wound she spared Iliana.

"She'd be thanking you if she could. But she can't, so I'll do it."

He stopped next to the fountain, lightly catching her hand with his. Her eyes flicked down to the connection, then refocused on him as soft heat filled her cheeks.

"Thank you for saving her life, Melitta. I wish we could have avoided that altogether, as seeing you, hurt, was terrifying, but what you did was brave. You deserve thanks for that."

Her free hand crept up to capture a loose lock of her long hair as something unidentifiable glimmered in her eyes. There was embarrassment, of course. It showed in the heat of her face, and the way her gaze flickered away after a second. Shyness, perhaps, in how her shoulders drew in. But something else as well. It laid in the faintest tension that lined her frame, and the hand that dropped from her hair to grip her upper arm, as if to steady that emotion he couldn't read.

"It goes both ways, Kain."

She looked to him again, this time with a small smile warming her lips. His breath caught, that same feeling that had been gracing him for weeks now clenching his chest. What was it about that look that stole all thoughts from his mind?

"Thank you. If you had not fought that wyvern, we could have all died."

Guilt haunted him. The words that Kain had wanted to say since the entire event fell from his lips unbidden.

"If I hadn't been there, the wyvern wouldn't have attacked. Any deaths, or injuries, are my fault. You can't call me a hero for fixing a disaster my presence created."

That smile fell, replaced by a stern frown. She released his hand in favor of poking her finger into his chest.

"Listen to me, Kain, and listen well. That curse you undeservingly bare, legend says it draws nightmares to you, yes?"

He nodded, mouth dry. In that moment, the buzz of the word seemed to fall away, her words stealing his entire focus.

"It does not create them, or summon them from elsewhere. That wyvern would have been a problem for these people somewhere down the line. And, what then? How many would have died in order to subdue it? Would there have been another brave enough to leap on its back? Would their blade have been strong enough? Would they have survived the encounter? There are many 'what ifs,' too many for you to spend time dwelling on it. None of them change what you did, nor do they lessen the courage of your choices.

"I am sure you already know this, and some part of you--" Melitta's finger slid against his tunic as she stepped closer, the entirety of her palm resting against him. Warmth seemed to blossom from the simple touch as a shiver racked his spine. "--even comprehends the truth. Find that. Because, I think things will only get harder from here. And, we will need you to trust yourself. To act on instinct, as you have.

"Because you are a good person. And good people, with great power, can do amazing things if they can find the will to step forward."

It took conscious effort to remember to breathe.

Melitta's words settled deep within. They couldn't completely thaw the deep rooted emotions that chilled his soul, but gods if he didn't feel lighter. Brighter.

She smiled, and lightly shoved him back with that hand. Then, with a beckoning curl of her hand over her shoulder, Melitta started walking again.

"Come, Kain. A hero needs a sword, and I'm eager to see what this blacksmith has created for you." 

A/N: I'm late, but I think this still counts as this week, right? Sorta? Let's say it does. 

So, Rhode's identity is finally all out there. I'm sure many of you had already guessed, but here's your confirmation. I'm curious as to what you think. Happy? Disappointed? 

Then there's Kain. Any thoughts on the last bit? I'm excited with how well (in my opinion) this chapter ended up turning out. 

See you next week! Hopefully I'll be on time, then. 

P.S. The Goddess/God made tidbit has been hinted at, but it'll have more impact when I go back and replace a certain something in the first book with the new scene I have planned, but not completely written. Any guesses at what that, or any of the hints have been?