I looked up at him with blood–red eyes, and every word I spoke was a drop of blood from my soul.
“Even the most heinous criminal is granted a swift execution.”
“But he was your son. You had him burned to ash, you destroyed his very spirit, you stole his chance to be reborn.”
“Damien, do you hate me so much? How do you expect me to live after this?!”
A torrent of emotion surged within me. My face flushed, and a mouthful of blood erupted from my lips as I collapsed to the ground.
20
04
I dreamed for what felt like an eternity. A kaleidoscope of memories flashed before me.
Damien, holding my hand, promising to be good to me for a lifetime, to love and cherish me forever.
Perhaps the words were too sweet. Even in my dream, I knew it was a lie.
I opened my eyes. The familiar room. Damien was slumped over my bedside.
His brow was furrowed in sleep, and he was muttering, “No, don’t leave me… Elara!”
He woke with a jolt, cold sweat beading on his forehead, gasping for air.
When his eyes met mine, he quickly composed himself, his voice hoarse.
“You’re awake?”
I clutched his sleeve.
“Damien, the child?”
For a fleeting moment, in the depths of his eyes, I saw a flicker of panic.
But he just pulled his hand away and turned his back to me.
“The child’s ashes have been scattered to the wind… Do not mention it again.”
1
“And do not speak of giving up your position as my wife.”
“Who is Lady Vaughn is for me alone to decide!”
“Not even you.”
His tone was as cold and sharp as the winter wind howling outside, and it filled my heart with a bottomless, desolate despair.
My voice was a raw whisper.
“Damien, it’s been five years. Aren’t you tired of this torment?”
The hand at his side clenched into a white–knuckled fist.
He spun to face me, his eyes a mixture of shame, anger, and a pain he could no longer hide.
“Tired? Elara, what right do you have to be tired?”
He seized my chin, his hand trembling, his eyes a battlefield of agony and conflict.
“From the moment your father shifted the blame to mine, you should have known. The only end for us, in this lifetime, could be…”
His eyes were red–rimmed. He spat out the words, one by one.
“Until. Death. Do. Us. Part.”
With that, he closed his eyes.
Without another glance at me, he stormed out of the room.
I lay on the bed, numb. I couldn’t even summon a single tear.
Until death do us part? I thought. Yes, perhaps… perhaps it was finally time.
The only thing I had left to my name was my life.
I put on my shoes and walked out of the Lord Regent’s estate.
I walked through the streets in a daze
I walked through the streets in a daze.
It wasn’t far from the estate to the Stargazer’s Spire.
Just a short walk.
Today must have been some kind of festival. Red lanterns hung from every doorway.
Surrounded by the cheerful bustle, I climbed the Spire. The full moon hung high above, and the wind at the top was thin and cold.
Once, Damien had stood here with me and promised me a life with him, and him alone.
But love had grown thin, fate had turned cruel. We could not love, and we could not hate.
I couldn’t blame Damien. I couldn’t blame my father.
I didn’t know who to blame, or who was responsible for this wretched end.
The commotion in the streets below was suddenly broken up by the city watch. They seemed to be searching for someone.
From my high perch, I couldn’t hear clearly, but I thought I heard the name of the Lord Regent.
Perhaps Liana was throwing another one of her fits.
But that had nothing to do with me anymore.
I swung my leg over the half–meter–high parapet, spread my arms wide, and leaped.
Suddenly, Damien’s figure appeared at the top of the stairs.
His eyes were wide with terror. His mouth opened and closed as he ran toward me.
I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but I smiled at him.
Goodbye, Damien.
