Asher

My breath caught when she fell to the ground, but still, I chanted, reciting the spell older than the blood in my veins. I had to put my full faith in the goddess. This was the only way for her to come back. When the light surrounded Serenity, I dropped my arms, waiting for a miracle.

I studied her appearance, as I'd done from behind a glamor in the cells. She looked much like she had the last time I'd managed to track her down, just older. Her hair was darker, but nothing could hide that glow only an elf could possess. Her inner light was fighting to come forth and if I had any say in it, that light would never again be repressed.

For a moment, I let myself remember the days of our childhood. The sounds of her laughter and squeals as I chased her through the palace. She'd been the happiest child I'd ever known, always giving hugs and smiles to those she met. Mother was enamored with her from the moment of her birth, however, Father's love dimmed when her powers began to surpass his and mine. Many a time, I placed myself in the path of his wrath. Serenity was a blessing from the goddess and he would curse that blessing? I'd blamed him for years when Mother fled in the middle of the night with my sister and her man-servant, Roland. I think Father expected her to come back groveling, but when the first hundred years passed, he hardened, calling for her death.

I'd spent over a thousand years searching, finally finding the crudely marked grave of my mother, and the trail left behind by Roland, but never finding Serenity. Just when I'd given up hope, the witch's council had reached out to me. They claimed a witch had located her with vampires and living as a human.

"Asher," she muttered as I knelt beside her.

"Sen? Can you hear me?" I gently touched her arm. "I'm sorry, Sen."

She raised her head and glared at me before pushing herself upright. I helped her up then stumbled backward when she shoved me. "You're sorry? You're sorry?" she yelled. "Of all the half-assed stupid things to do! You fucking kidnapped me, held me prisoner, told me you'd kill me. What that actual fuck, Asher. What the hell happened to the fun big brother I remember?"

"He became King. He had to grow up fast once you and Mom left. Father got more and more bitter," I growled. "Wait, did you just say you remember...you remember me?" I couldn't hide the vulnerability in my question.

She huffed, "Of course I remember you, you damn jerk, but I'm not done being mad."

I let out a cry and grabbed her up, spinning her around, "Stay mad, I don't care as long as you're back and you're you again."

"Woah there buddy," she groaned, "no spinning. Ugh, I think I'm gonna puke." I set her down as she held my arm.

"How about we go home and get caught up a bit," I suggested.

I saw her body straighten, "Father?"

"You don't have to see him yet," I reassured her. "Just come home and let me take care of the rest." She hesitantly agreed as I gave her a toothy grin, "Great!"

****

I'd watched her walk along the same hallways we had played in, her fingers gingerly touching various items and paintings until she came to a stop before the last family portrait we were all in. Tears filled her eyes as she covered her mouth. "She didn't mean for me to leave forever," she whispered. "Something went wrong, someone told the demons about the prophecy, that's what Danu said."

"What? You mean you spoke with the goddess? I thought you just dreamed and the spell broke." My mind was reeling at her revelation.

"Dream, yeah, well I think that ritual packed a bit more of a punch than you realized Ash. Not only did I talk to her, I yelled at her, argued, and cried. I think I have just as much to tell you and Father as you have to explain to me. Then again, we have time. I agreed to uncover the past, master my powers, deal with the two of you, and then come to her temple to make my decision and declarations." Her brows furrowed together as she swiped her tears away.

I led her into a private dining room as staff brought in trays of food. "What declarations? Are you going to take your vows?" I asked, pouring her a glass of wine.

She snorted, "Not a chance in hell. Danu expects me to take my place as a priestess or here in the court. Unless someone gives me one hell of a reason, I'll be making my declaration to return to my men."

My fist slammed to the table, "What! You can't be serious, Sen? You want to be with those monsters after what they did to our mother? After what they wanted to do to you?"

She slammed her cup down, wine sloshing onto the tablecloth. "You have no idea what you are talking about. Daniel and Garen love me. They have time and time again protected me. They aren't the ones who attacked us."

"No, it was his father."

She sighed, "I know, or at least that's what I pieced together after speaking with Danu. But Ash, Daniel isn't his father. The man was cruel not just to others, but to his children. Daniel is nothing like that."

"What about now? How will he and his coven feel once they realize who and what you are?"

"And what exactly am I, Asher? Am I the monster? That's what Father believed, what they all believed? I may have been young, but I heard the whispers. I heard the staff and commoners as they spoke about the out-of-control monster. Do you know what my taking the vows would entail? Do you realize it was a way to strip my powers, to bind them and transfer them to Father or I suppose now to you?" I stumbled back at her anger. Was that what they were going to do to her?

"No, no that can't be true," I sputtered. "You were supposed to train, serve Danu, and lead our people as a priestess."

"No, dear brother, I was to be a conduit to keep our King in power. I guess no matter what I did, I was just a pawn in someone else's game." She downed her glass of wine, and then began eating without looking at me again.

I fell back in my seat wondering now if I had saved her or condemned her.

Author's Notes:  Okay so she remembers most of her past, but what now?