“I’m a widow. The Elders know I don’t have anywhere else to go. They don’t see me as a threat. But James is not allowed back inside until he proves the same thing is true about him. That’s not going to be an easy thing for him to do.”

“But I’m here now,” I said. “Take me to the Elders. I’ll explain that I’m willing to stay. Just as I was supposed to do.”

“It’s too late.”

“I’ve got to try, Ever.” I wanted to bolt from the room to make my plea to the Elders. But I suddenly felt so weak.

“It wouldn’t matter,” Ever said. “Even if the Elders agreed, it wouldn’t work. James doesn’t want you.”

“Why do you keep saying that?” I asked, my mind growing hazy. “James loves me.”

“James doesn’t even know who you are.”

“You’re crazy,” I said.

“His memories of the time he spent in your world were eliminated. It was too risky for him to remember you. The bond between a boy and his mate is strong. Eventually, James would have tried to return to your world. The Elders would never allow such a thing to happen. It’s better this way, believe me. James doesn’t remember you. Before long, you won’t remember him either.”

The room was spinning. I felt the cup fall from my hand. Heard it crash to the floor. “What did you put in the tea?” I asked, my words slurring. If she bothered to answer me, I didn’t hear her. Seconds later, my eyelids closed like trapdoors. I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, my head buzzed and my mouth felt dry. As the cobwebs in my mind cleared, I remembered where I was. Or where I thought I was. I was no longer on the chair by the fireplace in Ever’s living room, but in a small, tidy bedroom. The walls were white. Lacy curtains hung from the windows, a stark contrast to the thick drapes in Ever’s living room.

When I sat up, I was fully aware the squeaking of my antique bed must have alerted Ever that I was awake. I slid my feet over the edge and stood, only to fall onto the bed seconds later.

Freaking Ever. One day, I was going to figure out what made that girl tick.

After I managed to stand again, I slowly made my way to the door, feeling like I was walking through one of those bouncy houses I remembered from my childhood. Gradually, the floor stopped coming up to meet me. I gripped the doorknob and turned it, only to find it was locked.

My senses fully returned with a new rush of anger.