Page 70 of Ruined Kingdom

Kaine was shredding through his own skin like he was trying to claw his way out of his body … or to get something out of it. He was throwing his head about like a wild animal possessed.

My stomach churned at the sight and sound of his flesh tearing mercilessly.

My nostrils were filled with the thick scent of blood that poured out from him, staining his white shirt.

“Kaine…” My voice cracked as his name left my lips as a desperate plea.

“He won’t be able to stop. You’re too late. He’s mine now.” A disembodied voice tore through the frozen air.

I didn’t need to see him to know who it was. I’d know that terrible voice anywhere.

My skin crawled with revulsion, but without hesitation, I rushed toward Kaine—only to find that the closer I got to him, the more he became distorted.

It almost looked as if he was melting away right before my eyes.

This only caused me to panic and push harder to get to him in time, but it was no use.

My fingers phased right through him as he disappeared into the air.

My breath was rigid as I stood in utter disbelief and shock for a moment longer than I probably should have.

What…? Where did he go?

Weakness came over me, and I crumbled to the ground.

What am I supposed to do?

I could still feel Kaine’s pain and fear coursing through my body, even though he was far away now. I was ravaged by so many emotions that I couldn’t tell his and mine apart from each other.

I wrapped my arms around me, attempting to keep myself together, as I stared down at the bloody ground where Kaine had just been.

My entire being began to feel cold, as though my very life was being drawn out of me … like my will to keep going was waning from my body.

But I couldn’t give up. I needed to keep going.

I brought myself to my feet, barely feeling like my body was my own anymore. I might as well have been a million miles away from myself.

My hand dragged weakly along the walls of the empty hallways as I searched for anyone else still moving. But everyone seemed to be frozen. I didn’t see any of my friends among them, which gave me some semblance of hope that maybe they had gotten away.

Right after the fleeting hopefulness, the sick, sinking feeling of helplessness took over the pit of my stomach.

The Fae King’s voice echoed inside my head with every step, “You’re too late.”

It’s impossible. It’s not yet winter. How can I be too late? This has to be a nightmare… I should wake up soon!

I passed maids stuck in the middle of their afternoon chores, forcing the truth on me.

This was reality.

When I reached my room, my eyes shot to my nightstand, confirming that the pale pink rose had still not withered completely.

It was close … dangerously so, but it wasn’t too late.

Relief swept through my body, sending a wave of heat through me to thaw the coldness.

The Fae King was lying. I still have time. I can still stop this.

I made haste back down the hall. Right before I reached the top of the grand staircase, I spotted someone I had missed when I was running through here the first time. I’d been so desperate to make it to Kaine that I hadn’t even thought to look.

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