Page 20 of The Other Side

Chapter

Eighteen

IRIS-MARIE

M y eyes refused to open, my body slowly waking as if it had been stuck in a year long slumber. My limbs tingled and twitched as my nerves awoke and feeling returned. My brain felt like mush, sloshing around in my skull as I groaned.

“Careful,” a soft voice brushed past my ears, and I instantly recognized it.

Cypress.

My eyes shot open to see her smiling down at me. I had to blink, questioning whether she was real or a sick figment of my imagination sent to torture me in the afterlife.

“C-Cypress,” I croaked, reaching for her. “But…how? I thought—” Her finger gently pressed against my lips.

“Shhh. Rest, my pet. Rest. We shall speak soon.”

My eyes became heavy, only instead of returning to my empty slumber, I fell into something much more maddening.

“ I ris.”

I woke to find myself standing on the edge of the swamp. The nightlife sang as the trees swayed with a gentle breeze. Fireflies buzzed all around, dancing in the night sky.

“What’s happening?” I whispered into the night. “Why am I here?”

“Do you not like the place I have chosen?” I spun to find Cypress gracefully walking towards me. Her arm was healed, as if nothing had happened. “I chose it just for you, my love.” She began to circle me.

“I don’t understand. Why are we here? How are you healed? What happened after we escaped? Cypress, please, I—I—”

“Allow me to break it down for your human brain to comprehend.” She grinned, her choice of words concerning me. “As I pulled you back into the Underworld with me, my brother struck you with one of his infamous lightning bolts.” I made a face. “I know, shocking . The impact was so intense, you slipped into a coma. Your soul wavered between life and death until today, when you awoke.”

“How long have I been in a coma?” I asked.

Cypress slithered to me, her face close to mine as she studied me.

“It has been three years since you betrayed me, Iris-Maire. Three long, tedious years of waiting.”

Three years? Wait.

“I didn’t betray you, Cypress.” She pulled away. “I chose to take the potion to save you! Ozias tried to turn me against you, to trick you with his own potion—”

“His what?” She snapped her head back towards me as I swallowed. “My brother came to you, asking you to betray me, and you did not think to tell me?”

“It wasn’t important.”

“Oh, my dear pet, you truly are a fool. Even if you did not use my potion on me, Ozias still got exactly what he hoped for. He won, and it is all because of you.” She grabbed my face as I gasped. “I have loved you too much. It has made you feel as though you can break my rules and live in the gray area of my expectations. I am grateful for all you have done for me, Iris-Marie, and I will forever cherish our time together, but it is with a heavy heart that I must end our affair.”

“No,” I breathed. “Don’t do this. You love me. I know you do! Let me help you. If you want your revenge so bad, let me help you take it!” Tears rolled down my face as my heart ached. “Please, my love.”

“Do not worry, my pet. You will remain by my side for all of eternity, just as I promised.” Cypress leaned close and kissed me. My tears fell to our mouths as I kissed her back, weakened by her love.

“Cypress,” I whimpered as we began to lose ourselves in one another. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Iris-Marie.” My heart leapt with joy at her words. “But that is why I must do this.” She pulled away from me as I stood there, confused.

“Cypress—”

“Do not fear, this won’t hurt one bit.”