“It was a memory, Amihanna. We used to go there every Earth winter.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “This is a very good sign. It gives me hope that your memory will come back.”

“But I don’t remember anything important. Just one day on the beach. What good does that do?”

“It’s one piece.”

“And if I don’t remember anything else? If that’s all I ever get?” I couldn’t take disappointing him, and I wasn’t going to think too hard about that.

He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and gave me a small smile. “Then we’ll make more memories and the tutors will teach you Aunare and everything will be okay. Don’t push yourself. Just relax. Enjoy the fountain. Every gods’ damned ridiculous thing your father was going on about can wait.” He got up again, and I dropped his wrist. “If you need me or want to talk, I’ll be here.”

I nodded quietly, staring at the fountain again.

When I’d found him sitting here, I was annoyed. I wanted to be alone. But now, I was sad that he was leaving. My head was officially a mess.

Lorne’s footsteps sounded heavy on the stone as he walked away, and I had to stop myself from asking him to come back. I’d already leaned on him once today when I woke up. I couldn’t keep doing that.

Lorne stopped in front of Declan. They had been as close as brothers once. That’s what Declan said back on Earth and what Lorne had told me, but I couldn’t see that now. Lorne’s hands were tight fists at his side. I couldn’t make out the words exchanged—the water crashing around the fountain drowned out the words—but the tone—the tone Lorne used was vicious.

Declan took Lorne’s abuse with his chin held high, then Declan said something equally harsh.

One second Lorne was standing there, hands in his pockets. The next, he was glowing bright and slamming his fist into Declan’s face.

I jumped up from the bench, wondering if I should step in, but I didn’t know who to defend.

Declan held his jaw with his hand, and I could see that he was holding on by a thread.

Lorne looked back at me, and he looked tired and pained.

“What?” I mouthed to him. “Is it my fault?”

Lorne shook his head, then said to Declan loud enough so I could hear, “Ha shalshasa ni meha.”

Declan jerked back, as if absorbing a second hit. “I know. Believe me, I know.”

Lorne started down the path, and I wasn’t sure if I should go after him. I wasn’t sure if I should check on Declan. So I stood there frozen with my mouth open.