Chapter 20: The Ring

Hard.

Etched.

Rune laden.

Jun fingered the ring, reading the runes over and over. While some runes were familiar he had no idea what they meant except for the one which read ‘seal’. He guessed it related to his memories, sealing them within. Nothing else made sense, but his curiostiy wasn’t the reason he fingered and stared at the ring. It was the idea that had formed within his mind and heart.

The three months were over, the field trip was complete and successful. This last month he had recorded down what he thought important about himself in the earthly language. Even now, he wondered if that would be enough? Would he be able to read it after his choice?

They arrived at the gates and Mei excused herself. Jun wondered if he would be able to follow through with this. Would he even have a chance?

“There you are.” A familair voice called out to him. Jun turned, heart hammering.

“Ellen…” his voice broke. He coughed, covering his lips, clenching the ring. Her brows drew close, their downward slope pressed againt her eyes. Jun bowed respectfully.

“Elain.” He corrected himself. As he stood up straight, he let out a sigh, his hand extended. The ring exposed, glinted in the morning light. Elain folded her arms.

“What’s this.” There was no questioning tone. It was full condemnation. Jun waited a bit, then closed his eyes.

“I’m returning what belongs to you.” As he let his gaze linger on her eyes, he caught a slight flash in them. Her attendants were off, Zain wasn’t here either. With effort she shifted the chair closer. Jun waited. It was like watching an animal, a wild injured one. As her hand reached for the ring, he relished the slight touch. This would be the last time.

She pulled it away. Jun waited. He didn’t feel different, and his memory seemed fine. Perhaps it wasn’t a sudden change.

“Why?” she asked, partially retreating. Jun took a steadying breath, shaking his head.

“This is how I keep my promise.” A hazy memory flashed, seeing her in a wedding dress. “I would have loved you in this life if you had accepted it. But, seeing that you won’t, I only thought it prudent to return what should belong to you. The promised life shared, the one that was only meant for you. ”

Her lips parted, eyes wide. Jun bowed, not wanting to show the tears that threatened.

“Huh. I’m surprised a Jinshari would have honor.” The mock was evident. Jun bit back any words and looked one last time before he left.

He found Mei standing under some trees, her brow raised. Jun shook his head and the two returned to their home, the silence stretching between them.

“Are you alright, Dad?” Mei asked. Jun stiffened. Right. He was her father. He was an Alinta with a shared past with her. Why had he forgotten that? He bit back the bile in his throat. He was engaged to her? At least he had written it down. Remembering about his remembering was all that he could remember. That thought alone made his skin clammy.

“We need to talk.”

His words echoed in the quiet shambles of their home.