That night, Aria didn't return to the inn.
She stayed in the chapel with Lysander, sitting near the cold fire pit as wind whispered through the broken glass.
Lysander had started a small flame, but Aria barely felt its warmth. Her mind was too full. Her heart too loud.
She stared at the painting above the altar — the girl she used to be.
> Lady Arielle
Even saying it in her head felt strange.
Was I really her? What kind of person was she? What kind of person… was I?
---
As she closed her eyes, something stirred inside her — soft, glowing.
Then suddenly, her mind was pulled backward.
---
💤 Flashback 💤
She stood in a moonlit hall, dressed in silver robes. Her hair was longer, her eyes sharper.
At her side stood a younger Lysander — his hair tied back, his sword still shining.
Do you trust me? he had asked.
She smiled, proud and soft.With my life.
Then a loud crash.
A scream.
Running feet. Burning torches. Shadows flying through stone arches.
She reached for her pendant — but it was gone.
Lysander shouted something — and then everything went black.
---
🌙 Back to the present
Aria gasped and sat up, hand clutching her chest.
Lysander looked at her quickly.Are you alright?
I saw it, she said. "I remembered something."
He leaned closer. What did you see?
She looked at him closely now. His face. His eyes.
You asked if I trusted you, she said softly.
His face went still. ...And did you?
She nodded slowly. Yes. I did. But something changed.
---
They sat in silence for a while.
The fire cracked softly. Aria stared at the flames.
Lysander… she said, her voice quiet but firm. Are you telling me everything?
He didn't answer right away.
Then he stood up and walked a few steps away.No.
Aria's heart skipped.
Then what are you hiding?
He turned back to her, eyes dark and sad. The day you died… it wasn't just an accident. Someone close to you betrayed you.
Her blood ran cold.Who?
I don't know,he said.But the clues were buried with your memories. That's why the Echoes are returning.
Aria stood slowly. You think one of them is trying to stop me from remembering?
Lysander nodded. Yes. And they're getting closer.
---
Suddenly, a sharp breeze slammed against the chapel door.
The fire flickered. The air went cold.
Lysander drew his sword in one swift motion.
Stay behind me,he said.
Aria stepped back, her fingers tightening around her pendant. It pulsed with light.
From the shadows near the doorway, something moved.
A shape — tall, cloaked, but not fully solid.
It flickered in and out, like smoke trying to hold form.
An Echo.
But not like the soft whisper before.
This one… was filled with anger.
Arielle, it growled.You should have stayed dead.
---
Aria's breath caught.
Lysander stepped forward. She doesn't belong to the past anymore.
The Echo hissed. Then she'll die with the truth.
It launched forward — fast, soundless, deadly.
But Aria raised her pendant, and a sudden beam of moonlight shot out, slicing through the darkness like a blade.
The Echo screamed — a sound full of pain and rage — and vanished into ash.
---
Silence returned.
Aria dropped to her knees, breathing hard. Her fingers burned where the pendant had glowed.
Lysander rushed to her side. Are you hurt?
She shook her head. No. But I didn't know I could do that.
You're awakening,he said. Bit by bit.
Aria looked at him.
There was still so much she didn't know. So much he hadn't told her. But one thing was clear:
The past was no longer sleeping.
And something — or someone — wanted her buried with it.
---
💫 Author's Note:
> Thank you for reading Chapter 9! 🌓
Aria's memories are waking up. Her powers too. But is Lysander really on her side… or just hiding more pain?
💬 Question for you:
Do you think the Echo was the traitor from her past?
Or is someone else pulling the strings?
👉 Don't forget to add this story to your library if you're enjoying the mystery and slow-burn romance my dear readers