Page 126 of Reign of Betrayal

“Odd?” I chuckle, trying to shake off the lingering unease that hangs in the air like a storm cloud.

“Yeah,” she replies, her brow furrowing as she contemplates the moment, the weight of the unknown settling between us.

We slip into bed, and I wrap Reign tightly in my arms, savoring the warmth of her body against mine. My heart feels fuller than it ever has. For the first time in my life, I look forward to a future, a future filled with her.

As I hold her close, the fire crackles softly, casting a gentle glow around us. I breathe in the comforting scent of her hair, letting it anchor me in this moment. “You’re safe now, Reckless,” I whisper, wishing to erase any lingering doubts in her mind.

“I know,” she murmurs, snuggling closer, her warmth melting away the chill of the night. I can feel her heartbeat, steady and reassuring against my chest, a reminder that we’ve made it through another day.

The world outside may be chaotic, but here, in our small sanctuary, everything feels right. Together, we drift into a peaceful sleep, entwined in each other’s warmth, as dreams of what could be weave through my mind. Images of a life together flicker like the flames, each one brighter than the last, filling my heart with hope.

The sun shines brightlythrough the windows when I wake, finding Reign still sleeping peacefully in my arms. Happiness envelops me, a feeling of completeness I’ve never experienced before. I decide to get up and prepare breakfast for her when she wakes. As I climb out of bed, I realize that the sting on my chest has vanished. Looking down, I see the burn has healed, leaving behind only a scar—a perfect replica of Reign’s hand over my heart. I smile at the memory of that moment, grateful for Dola’s magical tonic.

Dressing quickly and quietly, I leave Reign a note on the bedside table before slipping out of the room.

As I make my way to the kitchen, I hear a commotion coming from Vanna’s favorite room. Curiosity gnaws at me, and I find myself drawn to the open door, peering inside. I immediately wish I hadn’t.

My heart shatters. My breathing eludes me as I take in the sight before me. Vanna is screaming for help as I see her clutching Lilyana’s hand. She is laying on the couch, covered in blood. A cup of tea lies shattered on the floor, its contents pooling around them.

Lilyana leans over, violently retching as blood spills from her mouth. Panic floods my senses as I rush into the room, dropping to my knees in the blood-soaked mess. I gather my baby sister into my arms, feeling the warmth of her blood soaking into my skin. Blood trickles from her mouth, nose, and ears, and the reality of the situation begins to sink in.

“Go get Dola! Any blood wielder or healer! Now!” I scream at Vanna, who is nearly paralyzed with her sobs. She manages to stand and stumbles out of the room.

I feel Lilyana’s breathing growing shallower and more irregular, each ragged gasp echoing in my heart. “Who did this?” I say aloud, my voice trembling as tears well up in my eyes. She struggles to form words, her throat gurgling with blood. She tries to say it again, but it’s hardly a gurgled whisper, “...N…” It’s a desperate attempt to communicate, but the meaning eludes me. I pull her away from my chest to look into her eyes.

I gasp as blood leaks from her eyes, a chilling realization striking me. If I thought I couldn’t breathe before, I was dead wrong. Betrayal stabs at my heart, a piercing pain that threatens to consume me. Reign poisoned my sister. My heart splinters under the weight of the betrayal, the pain nearly knocking me off my knees. My sister’s raspy gasps bring my attention back to her. I watch the life leave her eyes as I see her take her last breath.

Her eyes shut for eternity. No longer will I see her beautiful hazel eyes that look identical to my mother’s. No longer will I hear her joyous laughter. No longer will my mother’s garden bloom. No longer will plants look the same to me without them being kissed by Lilyana’s magic. No longer will I have family that loves me or truly cares for me.

“No!” My shadows burst out of me, flipping over everything around us until we are in the center of my hellstorm. Bringing her to my chest, I hold my sister’s dead body close to my heart. The moment feels too familiar as I remember doing the same with my mother when she died. Now both are gone, and I am left utterly alone on this continent.

“I should have danced with you!” I sniff. “I should have danced with you that night of the ball when you asked.” I scream a guttural scream that shakes the mirrors. “Lilyana! I am sorry. I am so sorry,” I scream out.

Dola, Vanna, and Vanna’s creepy blood wielder, Sehgrid, show up. Dola drops to her knees and begins to sob. She loved Lilyana just as much as I did. Sehgrid runs over and checks Lilyana’s pulse, but there is no use. She is gone. I felt her leave.

“How did this happen?” My voice booms through the room as I fix my gaze on Vanna.

“Elm! Elm brought us tea. She drank it, and this happened.” Vanna’s voice is filled with panic.

Reign must have given the poison to Elm to kill my sister. I’ll kill them both. My fury ignites as I storm out of the room, intent on finding Elm. As I march down the hall, I catch sight of him trying to escape through the front entrance of the palace. With a wave of my hand, I send my shadows to block his path.

When I reach the grand entry room, he draws his sword, his bloodshot eyes and tear-stained face betraying his fear and desperation.

“You royals took everything from me! Everything!” he screams, his voice filled with rage.

“Elm, normally I wouldn’t kill you because I wouldn’t want to hurt Reign. But today, you both will die,” I say coldly, shadows creeping closer to him, eager for the blood they crave.

“Scared to fight me like a Nomatrab? Scared you can’t win without your magic, Dark Prince?” He taunts, his bravado infuriating me.

I throw my head back and laugh sinisterly. “Let’s see if you have what it takes to defeat this Dark Prince.” Each word drips with malice as I withdraw my sword.

We charge at each other, metal on metal, our swords clashing, ringing out in the air. Elm is fast and strong, but not enough to kill me. I toy with him, letting him think he has a chance before I take it away, just like he took my sister from me.

As we clash, sweat drips down our brows, both of us wearing masks of hatred. I see the determination in his blue eyes. He believes he can win.

“You can’t beat me, Elm,” I chuckle. “It’s cute that you think you can.”

He smiles back, his confidence unwavering. “Why don’t you ask Reign how long we’ve planned all of your deaths?” The fractured pieces of my heart sink at his words.

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