Page 68 of Dark Witch Resurrection

Were more memories percolating up from under the thin barrier of his subconscious?

The female had a regal bearing, and the power emanating from her was a tangible presence. The male who had entered first acted with authority like he was the group's leader, but that was a ruse.

The goddess was in charge.

The male was not fully a god, nor was the golden-haired female.

Then another male entered, with dark hair and dark eyes, and the last one was Je-Kara.

"Good afternoon," the one with the blue piercing eyes said through the translating device, his voice coming out deep and growly. "My name is Kian; this is our Clan Mother, Annani, my mate Syssi, and my good friend Aru."

So, he had been right, and the redheaded goddess was in charge. There was something about her, something that tugged at the edges of his memory like a half-forgotten dream. She reminded him of someone, a face that hovered just beyond the reach of his fractured recollections.

Given his limited range of motion, he inclined his head the best he could. "I am honored by your presence," he said to all of them while looking into the goddess's eyes.

The Clan Mother smiled and inclined her head slightly.

"You've met Jade already," Kian said as Je-Kara entered.

It took the prince a moment to remember that Je-Kara preferred to be called Jade because Precious was not a name befitting a warrior. She was right, but was being named after a shade of green any better?

"Yes, I have." He forced a smile. "I wish I could give you a name, but I do not remember mine. Jasmine suggested that I use the name Cedric until I remember the name I was given by my mother."

"Do you remember your mother?" the goddess asked.

"I have one partial memory of vowing to her to protect my sister. I do not remember anything else about her."

"Do you remember your sister?" the golden-haired one asked.

"I remember I have a sister and am supposed to protect her. I do not remember her name or what she looks like either." He had planned to ask to see her, but since he could barely move his arms, that would be a problem.

He did not want to ask the medic to carry him to her room.

The goddess regarded him with affection in her wise eyes. "I am so happy that we have found you, and I agree with Jasmine that the name Cedric fits you. I can call you Prince, Cedric, or Prince Cedric. Which one do you prefer?"

He thought for a moment. "I do not feel like a prince, so I guess I will use Cedric until I remember my name."

The Clan Mother smiled. "Very well, Cedric. You can call me Annani, and I want you to know that you are safe, and that I am here for you and your sister. You both have my protection and my hospitality."

"Annani," he repeated the name with reverence. It reminded him of another name, but again, his faulty memory refused to cooperate. "Such a beautiful name. Thank you for sharing it with me."

"You are very welcome." The goddess sounded almost as emotional as he felt. "I am looking forward to the day I will also learn your real name."

He swallowed. He had been lost, adrift in a sea of confusion and uncertainty, and now he had someone to turn to, someone powerful and benevolent who had just vowed to protect him and his sister and take care of them.

50

ANNANI

Annani felt her heart swell with emotion as she sat beside her half-brother's bed. She wished to reach for his hand and clasp it, but the gesture would seem improper given that he did not know they were related, and she was not ready to tell him yet.

He looked so fragile, so unsure. He needed to be told things a little bit at a time.

She could see her father in the prince. The same strong, chiseled features and even the same eye color, but where her father's gaze had been determined and powerful, the prince's was soft and a little lost.

And to think that they had all feared that he and his sister were terrifying creatures who could wield unimaginable power. The earpieces were there to protect her from him in case he was more powerful than she was, but they also translated Kra-ell to English, while the teardrop pendant translated English to Kra-ell, breaching the barrier of language.

The devices were Fates sent, or rather William sent, even though they could do nothing to bridge the cultural divide that Cedric was not even aware of yet, but he would be.