He slowly walked up to her, and she looked up at the color of seafoam that she knew so well.
Her breath came out in a whisper, “Kalon?”
He gently extended his hand and carefully plucked the purple flower from above her ear, holding it up so she could see. The flower had tears falling from its petals, mixing with the red sap seeping from its base.
Anger clouded her vision. He stole her necklace, toyed with her heart, and kissed her. He pretended she was important—someone worth getting to know better—and she wasfurious.
“I want my necklace back!” she shouted as electrical shocks slithered up her arms.
“Soon,” he replied with a shrug, his voice carrying a playful lilt.
“What does that mean?”
He dropped the flower onto the ground, and a snake quickly coiled around it.
“What do you want?” She stepped closer to him and narrowedher eyes, catching sight of the black moth tattoo on his neck. He was playing games with her.
“I want my guiding light back.”
“I don’t know or care what that means. Give it back!” She didn’t even think before she unleashed the magic from her palms, aiming straight at his heart. Lightning struck his chest, and sparks trailed along his body and over his mask.
He chuckled as the electricity swarmed across his body. She threw another blast at him, hitting his chest once more, but he spread his arms wide and groaned. “Oh, Seda. I feel soalive!”
Seda lowered her hands. Her magic wasn’t affecting him. Why wasn’t it hurting him?
“Where’s my necklace!?” she seethed.
The largest snake Seda had ever seen came into view and lunged for her with murderous fangs drawn.
“I’m coming for you,” was all she heard before the dark claimed her once more.
Roya was over Seda,lightly slapping her cheeks as her vision returned. She looked around and saw she was back in the rose garden, lying on the gravel pathway. On all fours, she swiftly backed out of Roya’s arms and bumped into Ferona behind her.
“There was a giant snake, and I saw Kalon!” Seda shrieked, looking around for the enormous serpent.
Roya and Ferona exchanged glances, and she saw Neoma standing there, holding the bouquet of red roses still, looking down at her with furrowed brows and wide eyes.
“I didn’t see a snake,” Neoma said, and she looked around the ground nervously in case one might pop out and bite her.
“It was a huge snake! Bigger than… than…Elco!” she exclaimed.
“Seda, there was no snake here. Are you okay?” Roya asked with concern as she ran her hand along Seda’s forehead.
“I saw it! And I saw Kalon! I also saw your roses covered in a pool of blood!” Seda yelled and stared at Neoma’s bouquet, which was fresh and clean. No crimson blood covered her hands, only the small droplets of red sap from their bases. Neoma glanced at the bouquet before looking back at Seda.
“You fainted, Seda. We saw it,” Roya offered gently.
“Let’s get her back to her rooms,” Ferona suggested as she stared at her sister, waiting for approval.
Roya nodded, and the two Corvids assisted Seda to her feet. Her legs trembled, nearly causing her to fall again. They supported her by shifting her between their shoulders and guided her back to the castle, leaving Neoma alone in the garden with her bouquet.
Was it just a nightmare?
She reached up to touch the purple flower on her ear, but it was gone.
Chapter 14
Luelle
