CHAPTER 45:

I think you should King Cyrus' POV while listening to "Dancing with your ghost" by Sasha Sloan.

I looked at her with shock.

Though she was dead, she didn't look dead but sleeping.

Her entire body was wrapped with thorns which roses grew from.

There were butterflies everywhere and flying around her body; some landing on her hair and other parts of her body; others landing on the roses and thorns.

Her hair was incredibly long and looked silky and so soft.

"mother" I looked at her wanting to feel her skin against mine though it would be cold.

I never knew her or got to speak with her so this was a very overwhelming moment for me.

"she would be proud of you and would want you to keep pushing. She didn't have it easy either but that didn't stop her. I just know you'll make her proud"

Though she was dead, I was so happy to see her and hoped I could speak to her…meeting her was totally out of the picture.

….........

King Cyrus' POV:

I was staring aimlessly through the window.

The days were becoming more and more boring.

It's been nearly two months since they escaped or since she left me and I don't know how much longer I can take.

I haven't left my room since I spoke with Alex and that was a while ago.

I could feel everything slipping from me.

My health.

My youth.

My pride.

And soon enough…my sanity.

"Cyrus" it had been a while since anyone had called by name.

The voice was that of Ms. Melody.

Guess I was so distracted that I didn't hear her come in.

"I'm busy-"

"we need to talk" her voice was deadpan.

I didn't have time to argue with her or time for anything do the sooner we get this over with, the better for all of us.

I sat at the foot of my bed and she took a seat beside me.

"how long are you going to keep up like this Cyrus?"she spoke after what felt like hours of silence.

"what do you mean? I'm perfectly fine"

"I know you're a king and all but crying doesn't show weakness…you've been too strong for too long and need someone to fall back on"

I didn't know when I broke down in tears but I did.

I couldn't do it anymore.

All the pressure and stress was becoming unbearable!

How am I going to rule like this?

I'm a mess.

I placed my arms on my face and buried my fingers into my hair and cried uncontrollably.

No one has ever seen me like this not even my own family members; I had to be the perfect example.

Strong, Bold and Fearless.

But it was easier said than done.

I'm sure this was how my father felt when he had to kill my mother.

"I don't know what to do anymore Melody; I feel like I can't breathe. I don't know if I could see her again and make it up to her…to say sorry"

Melody didn't say anything but gently stroked my back.

"if you truly feel sorry for what you did, she will forgive you. You can't breakdown because of this, Cyrus"

"but what if she won't? I don't know what I'd do if she refused to forgive me. I've been having dreams or should I say nightmares and she's in every one of them. Always begging me to stop feeding from her while I watch what I did…I was a monster"

Now I know what she felt when she begged as I mercilessly drank from her.

"she WILL forgive you Cyrus…I know it"

I've never felt this helpless in all my life.

"I don't even know where to find her or where she is Melody…where do I start?" hopelessness was laced in my voice as well as desperation.

"well…my best guess would be to ask Nadia about everything that had happened on the day she was captured. She's your only lead"

I was willing to do anything and risk it all just to be with her again.

"you should try talking to Nadia; hopefully she'll open up to you but before you do that, freshen up; I can't bare seeing you like this"

She was right; I looked like filth.

My beard was longer than before; same goes for my hair which I was considering keeping but that will be after all this.

"thank you Melody…that really helped" I hugged her with a genuine smile on my face.

For the first time in months I had a smile on my face.

Lyra's POV:

"I don't know why I feel like a failure and not as strong as my mother" I stared at the hooded lady.

She spoke to a few feet away and I wonder why.

We were ok when we met last time in my dreams but today she's been distant and it's unlike her.

"don't say that. She would be proud of you-"

"how do you know? I can't summon enough magical energy or fight! I'm useless"

I've never felt so alone.

So weak.

So useless.

I wanted badly to hide under a rock and cry my eyes out.

I'm sure my mum never felt like this and everything came to her and she was perfect.

I had been practicing all day but nothing.

"I wish I could meet my mother and talk to her and ask for advice because…I feel-"

"alone; believe me I've felt that way more than once. When you feel like there's nothing you can do but I think I can help you with your mother"

Was she making fun of me?

"how?"

"I can't bring her back to life but it might just be the next best thing" her hands went to the hood of her cloak and she slowly pulled it down revealing her face.

I stared at her with so much shock that I thought I would pass out in my own dream.

This was totally unexpected.

How could this be?

"I don't believe it...mother?" tears began clumping at the ends of my eyes.

The identity of the hooded lady has been revealed.

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