SERENA
"My mate....please. Don't let him die, Moon Goddess. I beg you."
Her wrenching tears hit my heartstrings. My forehead folded slightly, but I didn't remove my face from the mirror. I stared at the omega crying through it, searching for any sign of insincerity. A reason to let her mate's soul go forever.
Then she crouched down, hitting her head hard on the floor.
"Please!"
Bang.
My mirror rattled. I held it tightly, closing my eyes.
"I beg you, please."
Another.
I drew in a deep breath. Fair enough. She was sincere.
Another day. I leaned closer to the mirror. Another mortal's prayer. My mouth opened, forming an O. I blew into the mirror, watching the silver air travel directly into his nose.
Nothing happened at first. I sat back, tilting my head, staring at him quietly.
Then he sucked in a deep breath, coughing up black blood.
"Klaus? You're breathing! He's breathing!"
She put her hands on his back and lifted him up to sit. They stared at each other, bloodied faces drawing closer. My chest tightened as I watched, only loosening when I turned the mirror sideways.
A knock sounded at the door. I turned toward it. A blue fluffy head and a wide smile popped in. She tiptoed over to where I sat and produced a big book. "Princess, here it is." Her voice came out in whispers, blue eyes twinkling as she winked at me.
The book was laid before me. The word "Anthros" across the top caught the sun's reflection, making it appear golden. Mother would not be happy if she found this book with me, I thought as my hand opened the first page.
First flower. Hyacinth. Its blue petals glowed as it moved.
Mum had it in her possession. She would think I hadn't put much thought into her gift.
I turned to the next page. And the next. But mother had them all.
I snapped the book shut and handed it to Katty. "Maybe I should get something else for Mum's birthday. She has it all."
I had just spoken when Sia walked in, glancing at the book then back to me. "Cousin sister." She took a seat opposite me, legs folded. "Your present for Aunt's birthday is a flower?"
Katty bowed, concealed the book beneath her gown, and ran out.
A light breath escaped my lips. Leaning forward, I rested my head in both palms. "Hi, Sia. It was supposed to be." I let my head fall gently onto the table. "Can't find anything special in there."
"Not surprised. Aunt loves flowers a lot." She paused. "She has all kinds of rare flowers except one."
I raised my head slightly. "Which?"
Her hazel eyes blanked for a second, then she blinked and focused on me. "Middlemist Red."
A snort escaped before I could stop it. "It doesn't exist anymore."
"I've seen it. Through the mirror." Her mouth stretched wider, her voice dropping low. "I know where to find it."
My heavy heart lightened as I shook my head slowly, then faster. "How is that even possible?"
Her hand reached for mine and squeezed gently. "Serena, Aunt has been talking about this flower for years. Make her wish come true." She slipped a paper into my hand, stood up, and left.
Her awkward footsteps momentarily caught my eye, but the closed door stopped me.
I unfolded the paper slowly, revealing a map.
Iskios Island.
The name made me sit upright. The island of shadows? The one mother forbids?
Katty's frame walked in once more. I crumpled the paper and tucked it into my pocket.
"Princess, you look pale. Are you okay?"
I gulped, guilt surging through me as I gazed at her concerned eyes. Why was I feeling guilty?
"Katty, what do you think would happen if I gave mother the Middlemist Red?"
"You mean the flower of peak sovereignty?" She squealed, palms clapping as she twirled. "Her Royal Highness will be pleased. And maybe she'll let you stay in the main palace with your sisters." Then she stopped twirling and tilted her head to look at me. "But the whereabouts...?"
I smiled. "Have the chef prepare Mother's favorite. She promised to have dinner with me." I moved to the bed and lay down, counting the time. Five hours before dinner. My eyes closed slowly.
Soon evening fell.
Dinner was left untouched, with no mother. I took three bites and dropped the fork. "Pack it up."
The moment the door closed, I pulled out the crumpled paper, memorized every detail, then conjured silver flames to burn it. I changed into all black and covered my face with a shawl.
I jumped out the window, crouching when I touched the ground. Patrolling guards passed in dozens. I stayed low until I could no longer hear their boots, then sat and drew a circle. I twisted my fingers and it seemed to come to life, spiraling.
I looked at the main palace building and inhaled deeply. For mother. I jumped in, materializing directly on the island.
The land before me was devoid of life. I adjusted my shawl with trembling hands, glancing at the trees that moved wherever my eyes landed. My heart leapt to my throat. I swallowed against nothing and kept my face still, refusing to look at them directly. On my seventh step, a voice drifted into my ears — soothing, with hoarse undertones. My heart froze for a second then resumed, faster this time. Eyes twitching, I increased my pace.
Soon a gate stood before me. Once I got past it, I'd see the Middlemist Red. The thought sent a wave of relief through my body.
I raised my hand and pointed. "Eason me dielthein." Let me in.
The gate remained shut. I walked closer. Nothing. I gripped it and shook hard, and its sharp edges slashed my palm. I sucked in a breath and brought my hand to my chest, waiting for pain that never came. The line across my palm sealed at an astonishing speed. I stepped back, watching my blood absorb into the gate's surface.
It swung open. A gust of air and fresh flowers rushed into my nose.
I stepped in. The song stopped immediately.
Flowers I had only ever seen in mother's collections filled every corner. I walked down the path to where sunflowers were carefully arranged — too pretty to ruin. Still, I stepped onto them and jumped down hard. The sunflower bed gave way to a dark cave, and my elbow struck a stone when I landed.
"Ow!" I curled inward, cradling my bruised arm. I squeezed my eyes shut. You're a goddess, Serena. You can't cry. I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, head resting on my knees until the pain subsided.
I lifted my head and glanced at the rusty vine-covered walls. In the farthest corner lay a rectangular, coffin-like box with four locks. I recognized them. Only father could cast such a powerful spell. My fingers dug into my elbow. He'd know I was here. Something pink above caught my eye, pulling me from my thoughts. Resting on top of the box was the most beautiful flower I had ever seen.
"The legendary Middlemist Red," I whispered, the coffin forgotten.
Its pink petals swayed toward me as if beckoning. I lowered myself to the floor, crawling toward it, then stopped, stood up, and walked the rest of the way.
Once I reached it, I wrapped my hand around it gently. A softness rushed up through my fingers, soothing my fraying nerves, and a sigh escaped just as I pulled it free. The glowing pink faded instantly, the petals wilting and turning to dust before I could even blink. The cave began to darken. My hair stood on end. I didn't breathe. I moved backwards silently, hand closing around my knife.
The box began to rattle. The air grew heavier. A shrill chant filled my ears. Ariseeeeee
I dropped the knife and covered my ears, my heart hammering against my ribcage.
The rattling stopped. The chant too. Just silence — the kind that was too loud.
Locks broke one by one. My hands clutched my chest, fumbling for the knife. I wished I had taken sparring class seriously.
A snap came from the box. Candles flickered on, their flames green. The coffin hung open, dark inside.
A tentacle gripped the edge.
My leg moved back.
A second tentacle coiled around a broken lock. I pressed my hands over my mouth, holding the scream in, tears pooling in my eyes.
Eight tentacles slid across the floor, straight toward me. My hands couldn't hold it back anymore.
"Ahh!"
I moved fast, hands shielding my face. But not fast enough. Two tentacles wrapped around my waist and pulled me into the coffin, pressing me against a body. The last thing I remembered was a pair of green eyes meeting mine before everything went black.