“You have been destroying our kingdom!”Another dreamscreecher protests.
“Godusa always knows best. She wants the princess to live!”
“She's guiding us to a better future.”
Vasilisa charges towards me but not before three dreamscreechers stand in front, blocking her path. Vasilisa curls her lip back. “I'll have you all killed.”
I scramble up and pull Amias away. Other dreamscreechers step aside for us to run away. I grab Amias by the hand and sprint.
I search each pathway for an exit. Everything has gone to flames. Every way will risk Amias getting killed.If it weren't for him, I could run it through.
I have to find an escape before Vasilisa catches up.
Amias coughs beside me. I snap my gaze to him as he squeezes my hand. Will he be able to survive the smoke?
Why couldn't Godusa make humans resistant to violet fires too?
“I know-” he starts to cough. “I think I know the way now.” He coughs again, even harder than last time.
“Are you okay?”
“I'll manage.” He coughs once more. I scan him up and down before he takes the lead and runs down the path.
His hacking coughs only gets stronger with every second in this maze. My stomach twists each time. He won't last long in here.
I can't let him die on me. Not now.
“There!” He pulls me towards the exit ahead, where the fires haven't blocked the path.
Only a few strides away, Amias coughs again, staggering and leaning forward, like he would trip into the fire. I tug him back when his legs buckle. He stumbles in my arms “Clara…” he rasps. “We gotta go.”
“You're getting weak,” I whisper. “You were going to fall face first.”
“I can run-” He interrupts himself with another cough, His body heavies and sinks into my arms. With all the strength I have, I groan and use all of my strength to stand him up and wrap his arm around my shoulder. “You don't need-”
“I'm not letting you die in here.” I guide him forward. Only a few steps, and we'll be out of this fire.
Amias will be safe.
A screech comes from behind us. Something hits my back when fire spreads on Amias’ back.
“Amias!” My heart skips as I set him down and take his suit off of him. For a moment, I worry the fire will get to his skin, but luckily, it barely made it past his undershirt.
Thank Godusa.
“You're not making it out alive!” Vasilisa hisses.
I hurriedly get Amias back up before rushing out towards the exit. Vasilisa's pitter patters behind us grow louder and I do the closest I can to sprinting with Amias’ weight.
I can't let her get to us. Not when we're so close.
We rush out through the exit as the air whooshes behind us. Despite Amias', we make it out of the garden and farther up ahead.
It's only now, I realize the back of the castle has been set on fire. I stagger up next to the side of the castle where the fire hadn't spread, bringing us to the front where I catch murmurs and whispers of people.
I look over my shoulder. Vasilisa won't show herself with so many Amarians alone, and I doubt that the others are coming.
I set Amias down against the castle wall when we're far enough from the back. I pull his chin up as he coughs once again. He has some soot around his nose and his eyes are very wary and dull. “You'll be okay…”I whisper.
