1 *** Excerpt ***

Esther threw her head laughing, then abruptly stopped. She sighed heavily then folded her arms across her chest. "To be madly in love," the playfulness in her eyes disappeared and was replaced with a blank expression. With immense hatred in her eyes. "How about we test that bond, shall we?" Cyrus suddenly felt his body move on its own accord.

Rosalie looked at him with wide eyes. "Now, my puppet. Kill your beloved," Esther commanded. Cyrus struggled but she was much stronger than he was. "Cyrus, no!" Rosalie cried out desperately. Tears streamed down his face as he neared her. "Run," he pleaded weakly. She stared at him with fear.

"Run, now!" He shouted. Esther laughed, enjoying the show. "Kill her!" She commanded, strengthening the hold on him. Cyrus screamed in pain, his body felt like it was burning. His energy was spent and could barely fight off her powers. He raised his sword and positioned it over the woman he loved. Cyrus' chest ached with so much pain and anger. "Rosalie," he called out. "My sweet Rosie."

She looked up at him with a smile on her face. "Do not worry, darling," Cyrus cried, feeling helpless in their last moments. "We will meet again," she said softly, placing her hand on his cold cheek. Cyrus trembled then drove his sword into her chest. "I love you my dear, Cyrus," the light in her eyes began to fade.

Cyrus gasped then collapsed onto the floor with his beloved in his arms. "Rosie, no!" He screamed, tears running down his face. Esther appeared in front of him with an evil smile. "That's right, give into the despair you're feeling right now," she egged on, provoking him. "You'll be useful as my little puppet. Now, give into the darkness," she demanded with a wide smile on her face.

***

"No!" Raina sat up, abruptly, gasping for air. She was covered in cold sweat and began to shiver uncontrollably. "Rae!" She looked at Niko, whose staring at her wide-eyed and confused. "Niko!" Raina cried out, the tears streaming down her face. Niko wrapped his arms around her, tightly. She cried desperately, her whole body aching. That dream felt too real. It was too painful.

Niko had climbed into bed with Raina in his arms. She cried to the point she had exhausted herself. He didn't dare to move as to not wake her up. He kept replaying what had happened in his head. She had clung onto him with immense fear and desperation. Niko felt helpless at that moment—he didn't know how to comfort her, to take away whatever it was that had her crying out in pain.

What the hell happened to you, Raina?