Page 28 of May: Bloom & Bane

Iwake to the smell of honeyed vanilla and peonies. A scent so sweet it makes my mouth water. I smile, reaching for her before I’ve even opened my eyes. My hand searches across the smooth stone floor.

It finds nothing.

My eyes snap open.

I’m covered in smooth, silk blankets, but the space beside me is empty.

Please tell me this whole thing wasn’t another cruel dream.

I lurch upright, my wings flaring wide, my heart already slamming inside my chest.

“Eden?” My voice cracks.

Droot hops over. Big Bird is awake! Finally! Big Bird fell asleep for so long⁠—

“Where is she?” I cut him off.

The Sun went exploring! Droot chirps happily. She said she was looking around. She said to tell Big Bird she’s just⁠—

I don’t wait for him to finish. I’m already on my feet, stumbling frantically through the house.

“Eden! Please answer me. Please.”

The kitchen is empty. The bathrooms are empty. The bedrooms are empty.

My pulse is beating so loud it’s all I can hear.

I shove the back door open and step into the meadow. The air hits me all wrong. It smells cold and sharp.

The sky darkens in response to my panic. The wind picks up and tears at the grass. Frost spreads from my footprints. Flowers rupture from the sudden change in temperature. The meadow is tearing itself apart, and I have no idea how to stop it.

I follow her scent through the chaos, my wings darkening with every step. Green bleeds into black. The delicate membranes become as hard as bone. Leaves along my arms wither and fall, replaced by black brambles. They slice through my flesh as they grow.

“EDEN!” I scream.

Only the wind answers.

My heart drops.

“EDEN!”

“Sage? Is that you?” her voice calls from somewhere distant.

Oh, thank the gods.

There’s another scent mingling with hers.

I crouch and launch myself into the air for the very first time. I’m not even sure how I do it—my body just takes over.

The ground falls away quickly. From here, I can tell just how much of a labyrinth the meadow really is.

I scan the horizon, searching aimlessly.

I find a white patch in the center of all the green.

That has to be her.

I descend lower, until I see a little speck of orange.