Chapter 17
By ten o’clock the following morning, Elias had had enough of being cooped up in his room. It wasn’t just the strange surroundings that had started to wear him down; the line of pictures staring out from the mantel over the fireplace was a constant reminder of all that he did not remember.
He needed a break. Needed to be someplace else for a little while.
He unwrapped the bandages from his head and had a shower, which calmed some of his inner discord.
Some, not all.
From the closet he found clothes that fit him to a tee: sleek black pants, a crisp turquoise button-down, and a pair of black leather shoes. It took effort not to feel as if he were usurping someone else’s life as he carefully drew a comb through the layers of his hair. He avoided the shaven patch on his skull and the stitches that were still healing.
By the time he was ready to depart the room, a dull headache had begun to pound behind his eyes. He paused to shoot back two pain pills before exiting into the hallway.
Two men in suits stood on either side of the door. Elias made eye contact with both. It was awkward to know someone was keeping track of everything he did. He said nothing as he headed down the hall.
Would they follow? Would someone stop him before he got too far?
He turned right at the end of the corridor, unsure where he was going.
A large sitting space sat to the left, a place for guests to gather and talk outside the bedroom suites. Ten feet ahead, another hall opened to the right. Opposite the hall was a staircase leading down. Rather than descend, he chose the hallway to explore. Framed paintings lined the walls, which piqued his interest.
Movement ahead drew his attention.
Elias recognized the woman who had been introduced as his girlfriend. She strolled the hallway with her hands behind her back, examining the portraits, oblivious of his presence. He wasn’t sure whether to retreat before she spotted him or use the opportunity to study her until she became aware she wasn’t alone. It didn’t take much effort for him to recall how uncomfortable he’d been when faced with her the last time; he started to take a step back but paused.
He would never make progress if he kept running away from the truth.
As if a sixth sense kicked in, she whipped a look down the hallway.
Elias inwardly braced himself for interaction. “Good morning, Inari.”
“Elias! Did you get your memory back?” She jogged toward him with a stunning smile on her mouth.
Perhaps it was his use of her given name that had made her think he remembered her. Elias halted in place and shook his head. “No, I haven’t.”
Much to his relief, Inari stopped a few feet from him rather than assault him with a hug and kisses. He would have hated to literally pry her from his body.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you’d remembered,” she said.
Elias took in all the little details: the shine of Inari’s tawny hair, the sparkle in her eyes, the flush on her smooth cheeks. She wore a pair of slim-fitting white pants, a peach top, and a knitted cardigan over that. The touch of makeup wasn’t too heavy or too light.
She was pretty; there could be no doubt about that.
“I didn’t want to be rude when I realized the hallway was occupied,” he replied. Her expression shifted from happiness to acceptance.
“I see.” She looked behind her and back to his eyes. “Would you like company for your walk? I can answer a few questions about the paintings at least.”
Elias wanted to turn her down flat. He would never be able to explain or express to anyone just how weird it was to be in a strange place, with strange people, none of whom he remembered. But he again reminded himself that nothing good would come of running, and that he couldn’t keep avoiding his past. This was a problem he needed to face head on.
“It’s all right if you’d rather be alone. I’m sure this is probably uncomfortable,” she said when he took too long to answer.
“No, no. It’s an adjustment period and I’m still getting through it.” He fell into step at her side, encouraging her to walk with him along the hallway.
“Okay. How are your injuries? It’s good to see you up and around.”
He lifted the arm that was still in the cast, having ditched the sling for the walk. “My wrist is doing fine, I guess. It doesn’t hurt. The other wounds are healing well and the bruising is almost gone.”
“What about your head?”
“Still a lot of pain. Headaches, things like that.” He refused to admit that the short walk was already taking a toll. His legs felt weak and his head was pounding. Perturbed by the continual injury issues, he forced himself to keep going. The paintings on the walls would have gained much more of his attention if Inari hadn’t been at his side. Thus, he failed to ask any pertinent questions about his heritage.
“The pain medication isn’t helping?” she asked.
“For about five minutes.” He resorted to sarcasm in lieu of a more straightforward answer.
“Maybe you should get a stronger dose.”
“I guess we’ll see.” He wasn’t sure what else to say, and fell silent.
“Is there anything I can do for you to make all this easier?” she asked after a time.
“I don’t think so. But thanks.” Elias had finally begun to examine the portraits on the walls to combat his growing sense of unease. He stopped before one that seemed ancient; a man who he vaguely resembled sat on a stone bench with two dogs at his feet. “Who is this, do you know?”
“Actually, that one I’m not sure of. I know the more recent ancestors, though.”
Elias searched for a name engraved on the frame or the painting itself, but found nothing. “I’ll have to ask Sander later.”
“Have you been into the dungeon yet?”
“No. This is my first time out of the room since I arrived.” The idea of dungeons and dark tunnels held no appeal.
“I don’t mind showing you if you’re interested. You used to spend a lot of time mapping the underground tunnels.”
He faced her. “Honestly, Inari, I have no desire to go creeping through old dungeons.”
“All right. Well, if you do, let me know. I’ve gone with you quite a few times and I know my way around at least a little.”
“I will. Thank you.” Elias experienced a growing sense of distance and unease. It appeared Inari did as well. A moment later, she stepped back and gestured down the hall.
“I should be going for now. I have work to do. I hope to see you soon, Elias.”
“Good day.” He tracked her retreat until she disappeared around a corner, out of sight. Only then did he release a long breath. That had been more uncomfortable than he wanted to admit.
How the hell was he supposed to rekindle a romance with a woman who was nothing more than a stranger?
He left the portraits and the hallway behind, uninterested in exploring any longer.
Frustration built with every step he took back toward his suite.
The more distressed he became, the harder his head hurt, until the edges of his vision began to fade and go dark.
He knew what that meant.
The guards were still at his door when he arrived but said nothing as he staggered inside.
Moments later he collapsed onto the bed, as exhausted as if he’d just run a marathon.
His last thought before darkness came was a dark one.