My eyes opened wide in shock. "What?"

"I didn't realize no one had told you. It's been nearly three months since you and your friends were turned."

I looked down at my hands again. "Why would it take that long for me to wake up?"

"No one knows. I think we all just decided it was taking you longer because you-" he paused, then continued, "have unique circumstances."

"Which I was just asking you to tell me about," I reminded him. "If you're trying to change the subject in hopes that I'll forget my request-"

"No, Chrystal. I just thought you would want to know. That's why Jasmine was so excited when she saw you awake. She'd been living in this unfamiliar place without you. It was beginning to drive her mad."

I thought of Jasmine, running at me the way she did when I woke up. I thought about how I accidentally flung her across the room as she startled me.

"So you'll tell me this, but won't tell me the reason I was turned into a demon in the first place?" I asked, looking back up at him. "I've had enough. I understand I'm powerful. I understand that telling me may overwhelm me, but I know I'll be able to get through that. I have you, Sarah, Jasmine, and Lisa to cling to. I can handle anything as long as I have all of you." I felt tears forming in my eyes, and I looked away again. "I remember that I love you. I remember that Jasmine is my best friend. I remember the death of my parents. But I need to know more." I paused, hugging myself, before continuing in a soft whisper. "Don't you think it's cruel to keep someone's whole life away from them? And what prophecy was that man talking about? Why did everyone call me a queen?"

I was shaking now. I was beyond confused, and my mind wanted answers. No matter how badly I wanted to stop thinking and relax, my brain was whirling with ideas and more questions. I wasn't a queen. I'd never heard of a prophecy. Surely something as significant as this someone would have told me.

Suddenly, I felt arms wrap around me. I leaned myself into Sebastian's embrace, feeling my mind slowly begin to calm itself. I heard the sound of metal hitting the floor as he moved my swords from the bed, then he laid us down against the pillows. He pulled me closer to him, and I curled myself up against his chest. "Relax for now, My Love. I shall speak to the others about getting your questions answered. You have a right to remember your past, and I don't want to keep it from you any longer."

"I want to remember. I want to remember my friends, my family. I want to remember meeting you, why we're connected the way we are..." I rambled as I cried. "I want to remember being happy. I want to remember..."

Sebastian pulled me closer, cradling me against him. He soothingly pet my head as I slowly cried myself to sleep.

When I awoke again, I was still wrapped in Sebastian's arms. I snuggled closer to him, the familiarity of the action was comforting.

He chuckled and pulled me closer. "Good morning, My Love."

"Morning," I mumbled in response.

We lay there in a comfortable silence for a few moments longer, then I was startled at a knock on the door.

Sebastian placed a comforting hand on my head as he slowly sat up and went to see who was outside. The door opened to reveal Sarah, Jasmine, and Lisa.

"Sorry to interrupt," Lisa spoke, "but these two have been dying to see you, and I must speak with Sebastian for a moment."

I nodded as I wiped the sleep from my eyes. "He wants to speak with you, too." I told her, remembering the conversation he and I had had.

Lisa glanced between the two of us and nodded. Sebastian looked back at me with a smile that said he promised he'd return, then left as the girls entered, the door closing between them.

After a moment, Sarah and Jasmine raced to the side of the bed. "Jasmine and Lisa told me everything," Sarah said, her concern evident. "I'm so glad you're alright."

I could only give her a weak smile. Physically, yes, I was fine, but I was left even more confused than I had been all week.

We were all silent for a long moment, none of us knowing what to say. Deciding I didn't want to talk about the intruder from yesterday, I looked back to Sarah. "I know you can't tell me very much, but..."

She gave me a sad smile and placed her hand over mine. "Ask me anything, Chrys. I'll give you the best answer I can."

"You've been really nice to me, and Sebastian said we were friends and that you worked for me, but just how close were we? I had a dream and remembered meeting Jasmine, and you were in it, but I don't remember much else. You came to work for me..." I paused, trying to remember what I had said in the dream. Suddenly, my eyes went wide. "You lived with us because your dad had amnesia. I've forgotten you just like he did. I'm so sorry..."

Her hand over mine tightened. "No, Chrys, don't think about that. There is a large difference between your amnesia and his. Your memories are slowly coming back. Even if my father was capable of remembering, I don't think he'd want to. He didn't seem very enthusiastic about his treatments, or very adamant about keeping up with his exercises." She gave me a small smile. "It is hard going through someone you care about forgetting who you are, and having to deal with it twice broke my heart, but I hold no resentment toward you for it. And to answer your question, we were, and I'd like to think we still are, very close."

I sniffed, trying not to cry. "Really?"

She nodded, her smile growing. "Really."

Just then, the door opened to reveal Sebastian and Lisa. They both quickly stepped inside, closing the door behind them. I stared up at Sebastian hopefully.

Lisa was the one to speak, and her words made me feel anxious all over again.

"Ladies," she said, addressing my friends, "I'd take a seat. We have much to discuss."