Page 38 of Cages and Crowns
“I will go wherever you are. I will follow you.” What he thinks is a sign of devotion, is a threat. Apromise. We are both destined for it to be the end. Today is last day of our lives. But I won’t give him time to grieve, time to beg.
His fingers trail back up my leg, smearing blood up to my stomach and then to my lips. He brushes them across, and I taste the metallic tang of my blood. He bends down, his lips touching mine again.
I open for him, let his tongue tangle with mine. Let him get comfortable. His hand holds my jaw, forcing my head to stay up, stay open. My pulse skips, my body tingles, and I know it’s time.
My hand shoots out, digging the blade deep. Somewhere. He gasps, his mouth breaking from mine.
I rip the blindfold off, and nearly cry in relief as I see the blade jutting out of his neck. His eyes are wide, his mouth filling with blood.
I jump off the table, making a run for the instruments, but his hand catches my arm. He yanks me back, throwing me against the table. Pain lances down my spine as he leans over me.
“You are going to regret this.” He says, blood gurgling out of his mouth, spraying across my face.
“You are going to burn in hell, and it will be me who lights the match.” I spit. His hand grips my neck, cutting off my oxygen supply. I wrap my fingers around his wrist, trying to pull it off. His free hand grabs the blade and rips it out, black blood spurting all over my bare chest.
Black.
“Did you think a simple blade would be all that it takes to kill me, my love? You cannot kill what is already gone.” My eyes widen, my lips part, and a choked gasp falls out. I watch as the wound knits itself together, blood soaking back into his skin as if it was never shed to begin with. “It wasn’t herbs or injections that healed you every night. It was me. I was replacing every cell in your body, repairing every wound. I was remaking you each time so that you were made just for me.Byme. I own your body and your soul. You cannot escape me, Elaenor.” My vision darkens from a lack of oxygen, and I realize now that it won’t be us dying today.
It will just be me.
He thrusts the blade deep in my thigh, so deep I can feel it slice through bone and nearly come out the other side. He rips it out, throwing it across the room, and I fall to the ground. I inhale sharply, my head pounding, as I look at the wound. Blood pours out of me like a fountain, and I know in that moment, he hit an artery. But it isn’t pain I feel. It is a never-ending tingle, a never-ending feeling of something brewing deep inside. Something begging to come out. But I don’t think I will survive if it does.
I don’t know if I even want to.
“I want you to feel the pain I feel Elaenor. I want you to scream in agony. I want you to beg for your life as I strip you of everything.” He turns his back to me, my vision darkening with each strained breath. I’m going to die here. My arm gives out, and I roll onto my back, unable to hold myself up. I force an inhale, but no oxygen reaches my lungs.
I’m dying.
It’s as if time stands still, as if life is waiting to continue until I take a breath. A breath that doesn’t come as my eyes close. As I succumb to the death that has been waiting for me.
Open your eyes.I can hear him, his voice, calling to me.Nora, open your eyes.Bright white light fills my vision as I force my eyelids to part. I expected to see Tobias, but it isn’t him leaning over me. Shaggy blonde hair falls in front of his blue eyes, soft and pure. My hand lifts and I shakily touch his cheek, pleading for him to be real.
“I can feel you.” I whisper, a sob working its way up my throat.
“And I you.” A tear escapes his eye, trailing down his cheek to my fingers.
“Am I dead?” I ask. His hand reaches up to hold onto mine, his eyes closing briefly as if he’s savoring every second of this moment.
“No, but you will be soon.”
“I don’t understand.” I push myself up, my face inches from his. Sweetgrass flows around me, encompassing me in the scent of Theo.
“Things have been hard for you. More than I could have imagined. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. I didn’t do anything to prevent this from happening and I am so sorry, Nora.” My other hand reaches up, cupping his face as I stare into his silver-lined eyes.
“It’s alright. I’m here now, with you.” I smile and lean forward, aching for my lips to touch his.
“No, you can’t stay here.” He leans back right before our lips brush.
“I don’t want to go, Theo.” I shake my head, tears dripping down my cheeks.
“You have so much left to accomplish. So much left to do. There are people counting on you.” He presses his forehead to mine and the tears flow freely. I shake my head and he grips the back of my neck. “I love you, Nora. I love you so godsdamn much, but you need to open your eyes.”
“No.” I shake my head, sniffing away the snot dripping from my nose. “No, I can’t leave you. Please don’t make me leave you. I have no one, and nothing. I’m alone. I can’t do this anymore.” He leans back, his ocean eyes holding mine. “Kiss me.” I whisper. He pauses for a second, hesitating, and then his lips are slamming into mine. Tongue and teeth and tears. A moment I never want to end. His hands tangle in my hair, pulling me as close as he can before he pushes me away.
“I love you so much.” He cries. “Open your eyes and fight. It’s not your time.”
“I don’t want to leave you, Theo. I can’t. I’m so alone.”
