My chin rises, almost tiptoeing to catch sight of Koen clutching his arm in agony by the staircase, leaning against the railing. My brows deepen, but Florian shifts direction, obstructing my view of him.
“I also remember us…” His words jolt me to my core. Time freezes, memories clashing inside of me but most importantly, just by him speaking those words, my heart rips into two. Not for me.But for him.
Damn it… he remembers.
“How?” My eyes soften, meeting his glistening eyes.
“The night of the lake. I suppose when the first stone connected with you, I remembered flashes of my life with you. It’s always been you. I am ashamed of how I treated you before I started to remember.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” My eyes burn, his hand gripping mine tighter as he rips his gaze away from me.
“Because I wanted to see if you would choose me.” He breathes a shaky breath, his lips pulling between his teeth before he lets out a heartbreaking scuff. “I was foolish to think I had a chance this go around. I wondered if the Gods brought you back for me, that you might finally love me.Want me.Not him.”
My brows pull together, eyes shutting as I inhale a deep, trembling breath. “Florian…”
“I know.” He cuts me off, glancing around at those who dance around us before meeting my eyes. “I know it’s always been him. But sometimes I wish it wouldn’t always be him.”
“I tried to beg the Gods to take my feelings away, they didn’t listen. I tried everything I possibly could to stop myself from loving him…” A tear cascades down my cheek, and I let it fall off my chin as I glare into his eyes that weep of sadness. “They are punishing us for what we did… they are punishing us, which means everyone in the Realms is suffering because of it.”
He shakes his head, his golden locks gently swaying against his chest. “Who would have known the love you two have for each other would curse the Realms?”
We shift, and that’s when I see Koen stumbling up the steps, rushing out the door.
My body jolts backwards, pulling myself away from Florian’s tight grip.
“I’m sorry…” I shift myself away from him. “I need to go.” I let go of Florian, running around him and weaving through those who dance. I lift my dress, rushing up the stairs so fast, I can hardly catch my breath.
“Serene, wait!” I hear Florian call out for me, but I run.
I don’t care who sees. I chase the man I love out the doors.
My heels click sharply against the stairs, each step causing the lights to shimmer and dance around my feet as I hurry upwards.The slick surface of the stairs makes my heels slip, threatening to send me tumbling sideways.
I mutter frustratedly under my breath, “screw it,” and swiftly reach down to yank off my shoes, tossing them carelessly to the side.
With force, my hands push the door open, allowing the door to slam against the wall and rush down the staircase. My eyes frantically flicker around, my chest constricting as I wonder where the hell he might have ran off to, andwhy.
My fingers curl around my dress, lifting it up and racing out the tunnel. The night air prickles at my exposed skin, and my breath is seen like white fog dancing around my lips. But despite everything, I feel no pain, even from the pebbles that dig into my feet. I never pause as I rush towards the Pyre.
I almost feel him.As if somehow we are tethered together as one.
I feel pain, rippling through me.
My heart shatters as I fear Koen might be in danger.
I reach the entrance, the lights that wrap around the trees and walls, sparkling brightly against the dark sky tonight. However, I see no torches lit in any room.
Find him.
I call out for my dragons, feeling an intense warmth spreading through my arm before the stones ignite and pulse brilliantly like distant stars in the night sky. The dragons burst forth from me, gracefully soaring and weaving through the air with elegance and violence. As if they are ready to fight anyone who dares threaten my life.
The dragon of darkness, a shadowy silhouette almost invisible against the night, silently descends and settles gently on my shoulder. I acknowledge it with a nod, signaling them to bring me to him.
They fly away, searching high and low for him until I hear a loud, painful scream rip from someone's throat.
A fire starts to flicker in the far east, up high in the ice wing, catching a silhouette of a man hunching over before falling to the ground.
Without hesitation, I sprint across the Pyre and rush up the concrete stairs. The chillness soaks through my feet, but I don’t stop for a moment.
