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“Theo!” Lily’s panicked scream comes from across the meadow.
I turn my head to see a black-haired man walking out of a red-rimmed mist. Dark tendrils of shadows swirl around him. He strides toward her as she backs away from him. A malicious smile curls his lips as he stalks Lily.
I can’t move.I’m frozen, rooted to the ground like the flowers. All I can do is watch as the man pulls a dagger from his hip and buries it to the hilt in Lily’s chest. She claws at him at first but stops moving as he pushes the blade into her body.
I hear screaming, only to realize it’s me. I scramble and sprint toward the shocking scene unfolding before me.
“Lily!” my voice cracks as I yell for her, hoping she knows I’m coming.
I watch as her blue dress stains crimson.
The man yanks the dagger from Lily’s chest. The light-purple blade glints in a flash of lightning. Then he plunges it deep into her stomach.
And again.
And again.
And again.
He’s killing her. I couldn’t protect her. I just need to get to her. If I get to her, I can save her.
The man finally steps back from Lily. He turns and walks back through the mist he appeared from before it vanishes entirely, taking him with it.
Lily collapses to the ground. I push myself harder to get to her, my muscles burning, my eyes fixated on her lifeless body, surrounded by wildflowers.
It feels like an eternity before I finally reach her. I slam to the ground beside her, pulling her limp body into me.
Blood.
There is too much blood. Red dots splatter the once pristine white daisies scattered around Lily. Thin wisps of black shadows seep from the holes in her chest.
Tears stream down our faces.This can’t be happening. I need to get her back to the castle. They’ll know what to do.
Suddenly, she moves in my arms, raising a shaky hand to feel the shadows leaving her.
She’s alive.
“Theo,” Lily tries to speak. Blood splatters from her wounds, soaking my shirt.
“Shh. It’s ok, Lily. I’ll get help,” I say, my voice trembling.
“I love you, Theo. It’s always been you and will always be you,” Lily whispers as if she’s saying goodbye.
I brush the blood-coated hair from her face and rub my thumb along her cheek. “I’m sorry, my flower. If I were faster or stronger, I could have stopped him. I love you. Please don’t leave me. Please.” I beg through sobs.
Lily’s breathing becomes ragged, and her body goes limp in my arms. Her shadows disappear. My heart shatters into tiny pieces. A tug on the threads of fate makes it feel like a sliver of my heart is being carried off to the Underrealm along with my Amari. All my hopes and dreams for us drown with my screams as Astra’s storm finally breaks.
