“I wish I could recall.” Moth’s usually confident posture is hunched while those ruby eyes I love search for something in the distance—a dot to connect, a spark of recollection—but even among the glitter and glitz of these caves, he continuesto search.
“You may still,” Queen Plume hums. I may be imagining things, but is there an edge to her voice?
“And ifI do not?”
“There will be more memories to have.” She tugs both of our hands so that Moth and I knock together lightly. “Something tells me they will be sweeter with you at each other’s side.”
My heart swells at the approval. Queen Plume is one of the only people Moth has even the foggiest memories of—the fact that she likes me isn’t something I’m taking for granted. I’m glad all my work is paying off because honestly? I really do likeher too.
We continue into the cavern. I’m mesmerized by the sheer size of the gem-encrusted honeycomb the farther on we go. The iridescent shapes create prisms of rainbow light while the impossibly fluffy bumble bees float from each cluster.
“What are the gemsused for?”
“Everything from ornamentation to commerce. They are our biggest commodity and something I take great pride in.” She angles her head, and her amethyst earrings twinkle like purple stars inthe night.
“Is there a way to mimic this?”
“Pardon?”
“Oh! On the dance floor. You said you were trying to add a unique spin, and I love all the floral, but if we added a few crystals to the ceiling to replicate the sort of rainbow vibes we’re getting in this cave, it could create a very cool atmosphere.”
“An inspired idea, as always,Heather.”
Beaming, I turn to Moth to see what he thinks but he’s no longer at my side. He’s wandered ahead and paces between two big gemstone hives with his browfurrowed.
“There isn’t much to see beyond this cave.” Queen Plume moves to lead the two of us away, but Moth doesn’t budge. His eyes are unfocused and distant. Could he finally be remembering something from his past? I whirl to stand in front of him, eager to hear stories about what he, Ruby, and Oak got up to in these caves. Instead, his lips fall into a straight line.
“Moth?” I place my hand on his forearm, but he doesn’t budge.
“I hid behind this cluster,” Moth says slowly. “I was small… frightened.?” He looks at Queen Plume. “You found me, then you were frightened, too.”
“You played here asa child.”
“But this was not some childish game,” he snaps. Moth’s red eyes gleam as he stares at his mother, but it’s sorrow that has a hold of him,not anger.
“No, it was not.” Transfixed, the queen checks to see if there’s anyone who couldoverhear.
“Moth, what’s going on?” I ask, gently placing my hand on his bicep.
“The memory is hazy, and I… I fear I needa moment.”
“Alone?”
“No.” He pulls me close as we walk out of the cavern. “That is the last thingI desire.”
“Okay, okay, Igot you.”
Queen Plume is stunned but doesn’t block our way. I throw her a look that tries to convey an apology; it probably just looks like an awkward smile, but appearances aren’t my priority right now. Moth is. I lead him past the glittering crystals back to the main path, and my powerful man trembles with every step.
“It’s going to be okay,” I tell him, fighting the urge to walk us straight up to the portal and back to our cozy slice of home in the woods. Another secret might be too much to digest.
“I love you,” I say, but he’s a million miles away.
And for the first time in forever, he doesn’t say it back.
We take to the bedroom for the rest of the day and soak in the bathtub until our skin prunes before lying entangled beneath the covers.
I study the tension on his face, hoping to see his long lashes flutter shut; instead, his gaze remains unfocused on the ceiling. I stroke the length of his arm in a repetitive motion I can only hope is comforting. What memories are playing inside his head? I’m bursting at the seams to know, but when I open my mouth, it’s to fill the space with idle chatter.
