Gabriel barged into my room when the Moon was still bright: dressed in his armor, he commanded me to vacate the palace. I hadn’t seen him in months: he’d been at the front lines alongside my brother.
I couldn’t help but to notice the changes in his appearance. His bronze hair was now cut short, his usual cool–toned skin now wore a tan; his green—full of life eyes—were now vacant.
“My brother?” I asked, my hands wrapping around his neck.
He shook his head.
My world broke apart.
The rest of the night crumbled into a blur.
The fire, the cries, the blood...
The world swept past me as my family ran from the palace through my Mother’s passage. Royal guards surrounded us, their weapons drawn; we left our home, believing we would never come back.
Even when Mother went into labor in the depths of the forest, I couldn’t bring myself out of the trance. Stunned, I watched her bleed onto the grounds, surrounded by our most trusted guards and my younger sister. None of them knew Brian was no longer walking beside us in the Moon’s realm.
Now I couldn’t remember how we’d returned to the palace; I couldn’t remember the faces of my newborn twin siblings, or who had told me my father hadn’t survived the war either.
My father’s face became a blur in my mind.
Would I forgetherface too? Wouldsheonly come to me in my nightmares—
A cold hand wrapped around my waist.
Another fell onto my mouth, drowning my growing scream.
I kicked the air when my feet no longer felt the snow.
The choking panic pushed up my throat.
The dawn was upon my struggles.
My back collided against the stranger's chest, their body towering above mine. I was being carried away from my hiding spot. Away from the palace’s grounds...
“Shut it, before you get us both executed.” The familiar male voice hissed into my ear. Dozens of goosebumps pierced down my neck; my nails scratched and scraped at his skin. “It’s me!” He whispered, turning me against the tree to face him. “Calm down, it’s me!” Caleb said, his hand still atop my mouth.
A new wave of panic stole my heart for a moment before the corners of my eyes darkened.
My hand reached for the dagger at my waist.
My mind calmed despite being cornered by the enemy, despite knowing my end neared.
My fingers wrapped around the hilt—
Before I managed to deliver my blow, his hand caught my dagger by the blade, avoiding the intended attack.
His eyes locked on mine; his body—unmoving as a statue.
Fear.Fear—something I never saw Caleb wear—flashed across his face.
My body stilled.
The crunch of snow reached my ears as countless steps shortened their distance. Dozens of Wurdulacs’ guards moved in our direction.
This was my end.
An end far worse than death.
