All my life, I cursed my creator for not bringing me someone to share my existence with and now, falling for Evelyn and watching this, makes me regret my words. But soon, she will be mine, and I hope she forgives me for not holding her hand through this. She brought this reign of terror and chase on herself. Her greed, her obsession, and her recklessness has resulted in a death she should not have had coming. Not like this.
Evelyn rides Ada to the bone, pulling the mare left and right through fields and around the Thames. She’s screaming in her head about scarecrows and seeing faces, slowly falling to her delusions. I have been silently flying overhead, watching her and staying as close to her as I can. Oh, how I long to hold her in my arms while she rests upon my shoulder, whispering to her that she will be okay.
I will make this right. I promise, my goddess. Trust me.
Her thoughts are running wild as she arrives at her cottage to free her animals. I’ll be glad to see Benny leave; he never liked me, he sensed my nature. I perch on a nearby fence and watch the scene play out: Milly mooing furiously as she wanders off into the night, Ada limping off to get water and stay out ofEvelyn’s way, who dashes into the cottage, frantically packing essentials.
My love, you won’t need them. Don’t waste your time and effort.
Richard is gaining on her. He rode his horse to the Tower and collected the guards on shift, each man equipped with torches and equipment as they climbed on their horses to dash to Evelyn’s cottage. When people panic, they tend to go to their comforts. For my beloved, she chose to go back home. Such a mistake but she couldn’t bear to leave her animals locked up.
I love her all the more for her kindness, even as it agonises me.
I’ve watched Evelyn for years now, I’ve been around her far longer than she realises. She’s changed so much since she first saw me in the crowd, allowing herself to feel emotions and learning to recognise them. She had friends at De-Vil’s and cared for them. She loved Ada with all her heart. She blossomed and is becoming the woman she should have always been.
I chose Evelyn as she was broken. She was numb but felt so much emotion when she killed. When I decided to show a little piece of myself to her, that connection I felt when she gazed upon me was instant. So strong and raw.
At that moment, I knew she was meant to be mine. I followed her even closer and let myself be seen. Touching her at the tavern was utter bliss. Having her come apart under my palm made me impatient and a part of me had wished for her death to come sooner.
Once she dies, I’ll be able to touch her completely. I can love her, please her, hold her. That’s if she will let me after these next few hours.
My queen’s breathing is panicked as she searches for Ada, who is hiding. The poor mare is tired and ill from the process ofbonding to me and to Evelyn. She is completely grey now, other than her black legs.
I adore Ada. She doesn’t deserve what is to happen but again, I cannot stop it.I’m sorry Ada, but I promise I will make it up to you, too. Another hour and this will all end.
Evelyn flees into the forest, Richard closes on her tail, his mob with him, flames held up high and arrows flying for my love. I land on a tree branch nearby. I do not want to watch this, but for her, I will. I have to. I need to share this pain with them both. I have never felt anything for the deaths I witness or bring.
Not until now.
Ada has fallen, her leg broken from being trapped and twisted in the roots of the trees. I wince, feeling the agony of her injury. Evelyn crawls to Ada’s head and moves around so she can hold Ada for the last time. I want to close my eyes. I want to fly away and not witness this. But I can't do that to them. They need me now.
I fly down onto Ada. She instantly calms down and relaxes her body. Her soul comes to me and I fly away, noticing Evelyn watching me, and hoping that maybe she will find a little peace at that. Or maybe she will hate me even more.
I keep hold of Ada’s soul, not letting her pass onto the next stage.
I forbid it.
Richard is battering Evelyn with his weapon. I hear her thoughts. She is thinking of me. She has accepted her fate and is ready for death. Richard pulls out Evelyn's own dagger to finish her off. I close my eyes for a second but then decide against it, flying through the air as dawn breaks and cawing, letting her know it is time and I am here. Her neck is slashed, and Richard stabs her shoulders.
I feel each agonising wound.
Her limbs are broken and still, she hangs on. I fly down and start to peck at Richard's ankles so my love can see me. I see the slight smile and her eyes close, escaping before Richard tries to touch me.
Gray, I love you.
She…she said the words. I felt it. My chest feels like it’s going to explode.
Love.
Her last words were for me.
My Evelyn.
She’s dead. I can feel it. I see it. Her thoughts are silent and I have lost my connection with her. I feel so incredibly empty and…lonely. More so than I have ever felt before.
Like Evelyn, my feelings and emotions have changed alongside hers. I didn’t care for a lot of things. I didn't feel anything but loneliness. But now? I’ve changed, and it’s all because ofher. As much as it hurts and devastates me, I wouldn’t change it, not for anything.
I see her soul sitting within her body, but I refuse to go collect it yet. Not until everyone has left her alone. Richard is laughing and shouting his hoorays with his men. Some are using her body as a target practice with their arrows and blades. Others cut up Ada, collecting her fat and fur. They willallsuffer a nasty fate when their death date is due. I promise them this.
