Page 255 of May: Bloom & Bane

The creature realized his darkness wasn’t a curse. It was just a place to keep his flower safe. Sleep now, míní. I will always guard the dark for you.

Flaming blue tears spill down the reaper’s skull. “I remember the words.”

Yes, Ash! Yes! My voice breaks. You remember them because you made this story for our daughter.

“I do not remember why I said them.”

His hand lifts slowly towards his chest, skelva digging into the ribs protecting his heart.

LIAR! I scream at the curse, every ounce of my soul tearing at the walls holding his. He’s crying! LET HIM OUT!

His claws dig deeper into our ribs.

Ash, listen to my voice! The dark isn’t an ending. It’s where things are kept safe! You are the night guarding the nest! WAKE UP AND PROTECT YOUR FAMILY!

His hands yank away from his chest and clamp over his temples instead. He wrenches his head sideways the way an animal thrashes to dislodge something from its head.

A choked gasp hitches in our throat and the clinical stillness of the reaper shatters.

“... Ash—” he wheezes.

Yes! Yes. You are Ash!

He shakes his head. “No.... Ash—” he repeats.

I don’t understand.

He drops to his knees and bangs his skull against the stone. The sound rips through our body.

“Ash—” he says again.

Another blow.

Stop.

Another.

What are you doing?! You’re cracking your skull!

His hands brace against the ground, his whole body shaking.

“N-not As-sh…” The words come out disjointed. Not the reaper’s voice… not entirely.

“My…”

I go still.

Your what?

His damaged skull lifts slowly, blue fire burning in the hollows of his eyes.

“M-my ash’kaela.”

The name falls between us—one I have heard him say a thousand times.

Yes, Ash. Your ash’kaela.

“Vaelína.” His head snaps toward the forest.