Page 71

Ignatia

I had asked around about getting to Amara within three days. I got a few tips to get there.

There's a train that goes through the desert of Caelestia, cutting the journey by three days. Then I can travel through the forest for the second day until I get to the ferry in a town called Rosula and which will take me to Amara City overnight.

The trick, don't get recognized or cleansed when I enter the Amara kingdom.I assume that's why Amias didn't send me this way when I escaped.

It took a while to figure out the train, but luckily, l was able to buy a ticket from the starcoins Amias gave me. I waited at the train station, biting on my tongue as I think back to Amias.

I wonder if he's okay. He wasn't even on the news when Amara announced the ceremony. He could be dead and I wouldn't know.

A few hours later, I board the train, leaning against the window as the white desert flies past me. The skyline of tall sand pillars moves past me, shrinking by the second.

My twisting stomach and cramping chest doesn't let me forget that I'll have to confront Amara. She's an immortal being. How am I supposed to fight against her?

My chest constricts, each breath clawing up and down my windpipe.

I keep my hands clutched on my lap, and my teeth buried in my tongue, the idea of tutela flowers tightening around my neck playing in my head. Amias would witness it. The rest of Amara would cheer her on as air was squeezed out of my lungs.

That's if I make it in time. What if I go and it's too late? What then? Amias could forget me and he could try to kill me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to keep myself calm.

Is it even possible to win against Amara?

I try to take a deep breath despite it trembling. I'm doing the right thing here. A fight for love is always right and honorable, even if it ends in death. If I don't make it, then I did right by coming, and I'll keep fighting for him until I save him or die.

That's why Rayden went to find Lydia. That's why father stayed with Vasilisa until his bitter end. That's why Kaius died trying to avenge Clarissa.

I'd rather I die this way, than for some lame excuse.

I draw in each breath as slowly as I can. It will be okay. It will be okay. Amias won't be cleansed.

I let out a final huff and feel my heartbeat slow back into normal rhythm.

Amias will live.

◆◆◆

"Attention all passengers!"

I slowly raise my head from the room I was able to get with the fake ID and starcoins. I was lucky no one seemed to recognize me yet, but I guess they didn't bother to check me carefully with this black oversized hoodie I bought in Rosula.

I sit up and look over my shoulder to the window. It's still dark outside from the small window, but over the horizon, Estrella's star is just peeking over, shining upon the water.An orange glow follows us under the water. The boat is designed with the same wood pattern that cars have here.

"We are arriving in Amara City,” the person in the speakers above announces. “Thank you for choosing to sail with us at North Flower and we hope to see you again."

I slowly look before the ferry as we head into the dock. The tall brick and cement buildings of Amara tower over the river.

My heart throbs in my throat, my lungs squeezing air from me again. This is it. This could be the last day alive, or the last day that Amias will remember me. I made it further than I thought I could, but I'm still cutting it close.

There's still a chance that I won't even make it to Amara.

I take a deep breath. Even if my body is rattling, I kind of appreciate it. It's like a reminder that I'm alive. For possibly the last time if I make it in time.

My father would be proud of me. Kaius and Clarissa would be too. All of those dreamscreechers that have done the same for love would be. If I make it and die by Amara’s hand, I die for the right reasons. I'm dying for love.

And who knows? Maybe this is the death that makes dreamscreechers accepted.

◆◆◆

Now to find Amias.

I walk through the streets wearing an oversized hoodie. I made it to the castle before, though it was so much easier with a map and starting in a part of the city. I just need to find something familiar in this brick jungle.

I go into stores quickly and walk out when I don't find a map. There has to be one around here somewhere.

After about an hour of searching through every store that looks like they would have a map, I finally get my hands on one for five starcoins. That took way too long, but I still have some time to get there, right?

I unfold the map and keep flipping it around to find the street I'm on. I look between the clothing shops and furniture stores on either side of me, their bright displays within short brick buildings. The cars with flowers cascading down drive past the street sign up ahead.

Liberalis Street.

I glance down at the map. Shit.

I'm on the other end of the city, maybe less than a fourth of the way through the city, and the ceremony takes place in a few hours.

Pulling my hood forward, I dash up the street, weaving through people and running around the street without the protective walls. I only take ten second breaks to breathe before running again.

It must have been around two hours, when I spot a few TV screens facing the street in a glass building.

A blonde-haired woman with a bob cut sits on the screen, the bright pink suit catching my eye. Seems like some sort of news channel. “You will want to be here for this one. Going live at morning ten, we will be showing the cleansing ceremony of Prince Amias in front of the castle.”

I raise my brows. Morning ten?

She continues, “It is an honor to witness our prince finally overcome this hardship in this intimate ceremony. He will be renewed.”

A literal growl escapes me. All bullshit. Bullshit spreading bullshit. Fuck this renewal rebirth shit.

I look at the banner on the bottom of the screen. It's nine forty right now.

That's not a lot of time. I need to go before he puts that drink in his mouth. How quick will the ceremony go by?

I scan the map. I’m almost through the city. I just have a few blocks and a forest to get through.

I have to be fast. I don't know how quickly I can get there, but I have to try.

“I figured you'd come to fetch your little toy before it's too late.”

My body shivers. I snap my gaze behind me to purple eyes and fur, her black claws unsheathed. She licks her lips as she approaches, keeping her head low.

I lose my breath. I don't have time for this! Not now when I only have fifteen minutes.

I'm not going to make it.

“Vasilisa…”