I pause. So outside of Amara, people actually support us dreamscreechers this much? They consider Amara a cult for what they've done to us? I never knew.
I recall the stories my father used to tell. It's easier to remember now. I remember Rayden and Lydia the most, but there are countless examples of the same thing happening to others. Rayden and Lydia were just the first examples.
All of them are stories of a proud knight that fought beside the queen of Somnia of their time. They had wild tales of saving the people from Amarians and other predators in Somnia. They were courageous and daring.
Once they fell in love with an Amarian, they were destined to die by that same kingdom that calls themselves the kingdom of love.
“No matter how loving they are, never, and I mean never, trust an Amarian,”Father warned.
I bring myself back to the conversation. “So you all realize the hypocrisy? How they kill innocent dreamscreechers for falling in love with their people?”
“Exactly, so if you want to live, stay away from there. Once you get there, it will be too late. You're far too young to consider putting your life on the line anyways. I'll help you get settled here if you need. My half brother works with dreamscreechers like you.”
That would be the simpler option, would it? To carry on with life, and accept his upcoming cleansing. Let him be abused while everyone else watches. Let him suffer. Pretend like Godusa never warned me. To live my life as a normal person at the price of Amias' suffering.
But I could never abandon Amias. That would be sickening. I would have betrayed him. I have to at least try to save him like he did me.
I reach for my backpack and swing it over my shoulders. “No.” Nothing can stop me from saving Amias if I can help it. “I can't do that to Amias. We've risked our lives for each other multiple times. This time won't be any different.”
“We have a sanctuary here for your kind. It'll-”
“I'm going to Amara.” I shove past her and stride towards the door. “Whether I get killed or not!”
“You'd be a fool if you-”
I slam the bedroom door behind me and follow the hallway to the exit door. I need to figure out a way back.
I vow to do whatever I can to stop that ceremony. I must.
Chapter 59
Amias
I can't breathe.
My nails dig into the tutela flower stems around my neck. My throat is wrapped so tight that I could suffocate. It doesn't help that my feet are nowhere on the ground.
All my efforts to pry them off are useless.
“How many times do I have to choke you to get it through your thick skull?” Grandmother yells.
The flowers wilt around me and I'm slammed onto the cold wooden floor. Pain courses through my back. I scream.
I cough in between each desperate gulp of air, my throat aching. I meekly force myself to sit up. Today is the cleansing ceremony. I've been resisting, both physically or verbally, but each time she ends up suffocating me in this empty white wall room in the newly fixed castle.
“You're going through with the ceremony,” she scoffs. “I don't care how much you scream, or try to infect me with your illness. I'll even find that beast and strangle her myself if I have to.”
She stands over me in this empty white room, her eyes like a dreary winter sky. I can't tell if it's the lighting or if it's actually changing.
My body trembles under her, dreading another choking. She won't listen, but more than ever, I need to convince her of the truth. “Please Grandmother… Please…”
“No amount of begging is gonna stop this either.”
“Let me just explain,” I whimper. “It was a misunderstanding. Dreamscreechers are good people… There are good ones…”
“You're delusional,” Grandmother scoffs. “Pathetic. You're so desperate, you went as far as to use a dreamscreecher for your lustful need. Didn't I warn you against your neediness? Didn't I tell you what happened with your Grandfather?”
“I won't stop until I convince you. I-I can't kill Ignatia,” I weep, biting my bottom lip. I can't break into sobs. I won't have the strength to convince her.
