Alchemised

The narrative returns to the present, as Helena wakes up screaming in her bed at Spirefell. Kaine is nearby and rejoices that she’s alive. Memories flood her brain, but she remains confused. Kaine assures her that the war is over and that Lila is safe. She and her baby Apollo (Pol) are alive and well. She struggles to remember her relationship with Kaine. Kaine tells her about their romance and her pregnancy.

Helena wakes up alone later. She muses on her memories, realizing how different she is than she once thought. Kaine joins her, explaining that Morrough captured and tortured her at the end of the war; he and Shiseo interceded. He reminds her, too, that Morrough stole and used Luc’s bones. Overwhelmed, Helena isn’t sure what to believe or feel. Then she remembers her and Kaine’s promise to run away together.

Over the following days, Helena remembers more and more, gradually piecing reality back together. Still, she struggles to understand her and Kaine’s situation. She begs him to explain why he agreed to Morrough’s pregnancy plan. She realizes the only way “to weaken Morrough” is to eliminate Kaine (876).