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“I will have Vanna wipe every memory of us, from the moment I met you until right before I found my sister. So when I find you, I won’t be weakened or tainted by the love I once felt. Make no mistake, that love won’t be there, and I won’t hesitate to put a dagger through your heart, the way your betrayal pierced mine.”

“No! You can’t—” James yells.

“Not another word, James!” Lukene growls, shooting him a death glare before turning back to me.

I can’t breathe. My chest feels heavy. Disbelief and confusion now litter my mind. This can’t be it. It can’t be over. Everything was perfect last night. How did we get here? I’m suffocating in sadness and my body trembles from the heartache I feel.

He wouldn’t have Vanna touch him. Not after everything he told me. As if he could read my mind, he lowers his shadowy bars and Vanna starts walking to him.

My world comes crashing down. I can’t move or speak, as the shards of my heart break just a bit more. He really is going to let her take his memories. “You’ve shattered my heart, Lukene. When you killed Elm, and now. You won’t even let me explain, and you’re having her erase our love. You’ve shattered my heart into a million sharp fragments, each one stabbing deeper into my chest with this betrayal.” I pull out the blade he gave me and slice my palm, the pain grounding me in this nightmarish reality

“I will be everywhere you look but nowhere to be found. You will long for me as long as you live, but you’ll never have me again. Even in sleep, you won’t escape me. You’ll dream of me, beautiful dreams that will make you yearn, only to wake to this shitty reality, drowning in sadness and emptiness. That will be my revenge on you, Prince. I vow it.” Blood drips from my sliced palm, splattering on the floor as I utter each painful word.

“Better get going, 7296. Vanna’s about to begin. I’d hate to be you when she’s done.” Lukene smiles wickedly, though tears still glisten in his eyes. “Remember, never falter, never fumble. And watch those shadows. You never know when I’ll step out of them. Where darkness kisses light, remember… I’ll find you.”

With that, I turn and run, bolting outside. The sun that had shone so brightly earlier is now swallowed by storm clouds, which pour freezing rain over me. Even the sky weeps for the tragedy Lukene and I have just endured.

I whistle loudly, hoping Ember is nearby. Moments later, he lands with a heavy thud, his wings casting droplets in every direction. As I climb onto his back, I catch one last glimpse of Lukene, standing in the doorway, his heart is broken, and tears still kiss his cheeks. Vanna steps beside him, placing her hands on either side of his head.

A sob bubbles up from my chest, and I can’t contain it as Ember takes flight. The sound of my own heart breaking, like glass shattering on stone, echoes in my ears. The pain is overwhelming. We fly directly into the storm. Between the beating rain, the cold howling wind, the flap of Ember’s wings, and the sound of my grief form a perfect ballad of broken hearts and betrayal.

I have no idea how I’m supposed to survive this. I have no family left, my best friends are gone, and now I’ve lost the love of my life. I am utterly alone on this continent. As Ember flies through the relentless storm with no destination in mind, I’m cloaked in heartache, suffocating under its weight. So, with my mind in shambles and heart shattered, I ride off into the raging storm that mirrors my emotions, and I can’t help but think…This is my life now.

THE END