“Killing her will set you free, Valley Lily. You should want her dead.”
“No! I know you're trying to keep me away from these…delusions… but I will do what I can to convince you. And for the life of me, I will die before I kill Ignatia myself.”
She sighs disappointedly and shakes her head. “After all I taught you, and this is how you turned out.”
Whimpers escape from my mouth as thoughts scramble for words. I don't have much time. The ceremony is in a few hours.
“The flower glowed for us Grandmother…” I swallow in another hoarse breath. “We touched the amare flower, and it glowed. Please, believe me, it did.”
For a moment her eyes widen, her pupils growing in size. Her eyes shift back and forth as if considering the idea true. My heart beats in my throat thinking this can possibly change things between us.
Please, just listen.
Then her gaze hardens again. “It was a mutated flower,” she scoffs before walking away from me. “I'll get Dr. Kurt to check up on you. Glaide should be here any moment to get you ready.”
She closes the door behind her, and I'm left alone in this cold empty room. My heart grows in my throat, each thump constricting my lungs further.
I'll kill Ignatia. I won't remember and she'll make me kill her.
My body shakes so much that vomit comes up my throat, unable to keep sitting. I can't kill Ignatia. I love her! She's innocent! She's saved my life! She's myflame! Ican'tkill her!
But I won't remember this. When they destroy my memories and brainwash me, I'll be more than proud to kill her. I'll be a sick monster and her lifeless body will be nothing more than a trophy.
Chapter 60
Glaide
He's been silent for days.
I stroll down the tall hallways painted with Amara and her worshippers. Ivy and I are hand in hand, wearing professional attire. I put on a classic black suit, while Ivy picked a modest scarlet sundress. Ivy has makeup in her purse and I carry a longer white suit with branches embroidered in it, symbolizing a new start to life.
Amara requested me a week before to make this suit. It's to be expected since I've been making his suits since he discovered my knack for tailoring, but this feels weird. Usually, Amias would speak to me weeks before and talk about the details. Amara herself doesn't come to me, and she's never come to Ivy to put makeup on Amias.
Then Amara never made us sign confidentiality contracts either until now. They stated that if we talk about what happened inside the castle, we would be subject to a punishment of her choosing.
Things are starting to feel off.
“How bad does Amias look for him to need makeup.” Ivy has her brows perked. “She wouldn't tell me why, so I'm a bit confused.”
“It's all weird. Amias is never this quiet. Fuck, I've never signed a contract before with them!” I shake my head. “I knowthis whole dreamscreecher situation is fucked up, but I thought he would talk to me a little more. Especially if he's going through this ceremony.”
“Yeah, I understand,” she sighs. “Him being your best friend and all.”
We continue walking towards his room when I hear whimpering and heavy breathing. We halt and exchange looks.
My brows scrunch as I try to recognize the person.
That sounds like… “Amias?”
I whip my head to the door on our right side, with guards on either side of the door.
I rush to open the door when a guard steps in the way. “We can't allow you to pass.”
My nose flares. “That's my friend!”
“This room is not forfriendsto go in.” The guard growls.
“I'll have you know that we are here to work for Amara!” Ivy puts her hands on her hips. “I'm a makeup artist and Glaide here is Amias’ designer. We have the contracts if you need proof. We’re meant to see him!”
