Free InSpire by April Wood Page B

plain.”
    “What?”
    “What’s the last thing you remember?”
    “I was walking with you in the garden. We were discussing the baby.” She put her hand down to her belly. She frantically searched for the bump that had been there. There was nothing. She turned her head into Darian’s chest and began to cry. He remembered that day well. Had he known this is where the potion would take her, he might not have agreed. Their child was lost when she plunged out the window. It wasn’t her fault. She had no memory of the child growing inside her. What her father did to her was evil. The hate grew inside of Darian as he stroked her hair and beautiful white wings.
    “She’s confused, Darian. Her mind will clear. Give her some time.” The witches were stunned. They stared at Athena while she cried.
    “Who is that speaking to me?” It came out of her mouth like it would a true Queen. This woman was beneath her and as such had no right to address her or speak of her.
    “Her name is Sheila. She is the witch that brought you back to me.”
    Athena turned her head and looked at the woman. She was not impressed with the sight before her. If she had the strength she would remove the woman’s head right now. She was too weak.
    “Here, Your Majesty, drink this. It will clear your mind.” The woman bowed deeply as she handed Athena the cup. It smelled of roses and lavender. It reminded Athena of the garden once again. Slowly she drank, forcing it passed the lump that was forming in her throat.
    “I don’t feel any different.”
    “Give it some time. You need your rest before you complete your journey home.” Sheila bowed to Athena and then left quickly. Darian scooped her up in his arms. She felt very weak and cold.
    “Why am I naked?”
    “Your wings tore your t-shirt off when they appeared. You were writhing so much and kicking your jeans tore.”
    “Where had they gone?”
    “It will make sense soon.” Darian kissed her cheek as he carried her toward the motorcycle. His joy was tempered by an equal amount of fear. His love was back, but that meant she could be tracked by others now. He wasn’t sure how much time they would have. For tonight he could keep her cloaked with the little magic he knew. It wouldn’t be much, but they could at least rest.
    “I can fly, you know.”
    “No. It isn’t safe to do here. We will go back to the farmhouse and rest.”
    “What farmhouse?”
    “I hope your memory comes back soon.”
    “It’s all fuzzy right now. I’m sure once I rest I will remember something.” She wiped a tear from her eyes and looked down at her belly again. Gone was the pudgy woman, in her place was an elegant Prin. Her body was still curvy, but it was more in shape. Prins were athletic by nature. She rubbed her belly again. Darian could see she was missing her child. It had been the one thing to bring her the most joy.
    “Can you remember how to ride?”
    “I think so.”
    Something about the bike seemed very familiar to her. She straddled it and wrapped her arms around him. She kept her wings tight to his body. Neither of them bothered with the helmets. Now that she was Prin again it was completely unnecessary. There wasn’t much on this plain that could kill either of them.
    The tires spun and dirt flew the air as he took off. Athena felt the wind on her face. It was like she was flying. The feel gave her so much joy she forgot for a moment the sad events that had led her here. He turned down a dirt road toward a farmhouse. She was hit with déjà vu when she saw it. Something about the place was familiar, but she had never laid eyes on it before. She walked up the stairs behind Darian. He opened the door and let her walk in. In front of her was a set of stairs. There were doorways on either side. It reminded her of the palace, but on a much smaller scale. She chose to go to the left, it was the direction she would have gone at home. She found a table and several chairs. She took a seat as Darian