Chapter 45

Sarah's POV

A year had passed since the mansion crumbled into nothingness, and the life I once knew was buried under its ruins. One year since Axel sacrificed himself to shatter the curse that bound us all, leaving me with the weight of his absence and the fractured pieces of a love that defied time and fate.

But no matter how much time had passed, the wound remained fresh, the emptiness within me unyielding.

The small cottage I now called home was nestled at the edge of sprawling fields, where the wind carried the sweet scent of lavender and the distant hum of bees. It was a sanctuary, far from the darkness of the Blackwood legacy. Yet, despite its serenity, it often felt like a prison, a silent witness to my grief.

I spent my days tending the garden, filling the space with life in an attempt to combat the death that lingered in my heart. But the nights were different—darker, heavier. The stillness seemed to amplify the echoes of the past, memories clawing their way to the surface.

I sat on the porch as the sun dipped below the horizon, its golden light fading into shades of purple and deep indigo. In my lap rested a worn leather journal—Axel's journal. His words had become my anchor in the storm of grief, a lifeline that tethered me to the man who had given everything to save me.

I traced the edges of the cover, my fingers brushing against the familiar texture. Inside were fragments of Axel's thoughts, plans, and dreams—dreams we'd never share. His handwriting was bold yet precise, each word imbued with the intensity of his spirit.

Flipping through the pages, I lingered on a passage he'd written in the weeks before everything fell apart:

"I learned from her, that to live is to fight, and to love is to risk everything. For Sarah, I would gladly give both. If this curse demands my soul, so be it, as long as she is free."

The tears came unbidden, blurring the ink as I whispered his name into the twilight. "Axel..."

Even now, I could feel his presence, a phantom warmth beside me. His voice haunted my dreams, his laughter a ghostly echo in the wind. But no matter how vivid the memories, they were only shadows of the man who had once been my everything.

The wind picked up, rustling the trees that lined the fields. I closed my eyes, allowing the breeze to wash over me, and for a fleeting moment, I imagined Axel standing beside me, his hand brushing mine—

The moment shattered with a knock at the door. My heart leaped, a sudden and irrational hope surging within me. I rose from my seat, clutching the journal tightly, and made my way to the door. When I opened it, the person standing there was a woman with an air of quiet authority.

She was tall and poised, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes, a striking shade of violet and blue, held a depth that seemed to pierce through me.

"Sarah Delray?" she asked, her voice low but commanding.

I nodded, my grip tightening on the journal. "Yes. Who are you?"

"My name is Celeste," she said, stepping forward. "I've come because of Axel."

His name on her lips sent a jolt through me, and my pulse quickened. "What do you know about him?"

Celeste's expression softened, a flicker of sorrow in her eyes. "There's much you don't know, Sarah. Axel's sacrifice broke the curse, but it came at a greater cost than you realize."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "What are you talking about? He gave his life to save me, to end the curse. Isn't that enough?"

She shook her head. "It was never just about breaking the curse. Axel knew the price he would pay, but he didn't tell you everything. He couldn't."

Confusion and fear swirled within me, my mind racing. "What do you mean?"

Celeste gestured toward the open fields. "Come with me. There's something you need to see."

I hesitated, my instincts screaming to stay put. But something in her tone—an urgency I couldn't ignore—compelled me to follow. Grabbing my coat, I stepped out into the cool night, the journal still clutched in my hand.

We walked in silence, the only sound the crunch of gravel beneath our feet. The path led us to a clearing at the edge of the field, where the air seemed to hum with an unseen energy. The stars above flickered like distant lanterns, their light casting a silver sheen over the grass.

Celeste stopped at the center of the clearing, turning to face me. "The curse was broken, but Axel's soul didn't pass on as it should have. He's trapped, caught between this world and the next."

Her words struck like a physical blow, and I stumbled back. "No... that can't be true. He—he sacrificed himself to free me. He's gone."

"He's not gone," Celeste said gently. "He's lost. His soul was meant to find peace, but something went wrong. The ritual didn't complete as it should have."

Tears welled in my eyes, and I clutched the journal tighter. "Why? Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't anyone?"

"Because Axel didn't want you to carry this burden," she said. "He believed he could bear it alone. But now, he needs your help."

I felt the weight of her words settle over me, a crushing sense of responsibility. "How can I help him if he's... if he's trapped?"

Celeste reached into her coat and pulled out a small, intricately carved stone. It pulsed with a faint, otherworldly light, its surface etched with ancient symbols. "This is a key," she explained. "It will guide you to the rift where Axel's soul is held. But the journey is dangerous. You'll be walking the line between life and death."

I stared at the stone, its glow reflecting in the tears that streaked my cheeks. "Why me?" I whispered. "Why now?"

"Because your bond with Axel is the only thing strong enough to reach him," Celeste said. "Your love is the tether that will guide you through the darkness."

The weight of her words settled over me like a shroud, and for the first time in a year, a flicker of hope stirred within me.

If Axel was still out there, if there was even a chance I could bring him back, I had to try. I owed him that much.

I took the stone from Celeste, its warmth spreading through my palm. "Tell me what I need to do," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

Celeste nodded, her expression one of quiet resolve. "Prepare yourself, Sarah. The path ahead will test you in ways you can't imagine. But if you're willing to face it, you may just bring him back."

As the wind whispered through the trees, and the numbness slowly left my body I realised that, even though I had survived the curse, endured the loss, and rebuilt my life. I was incomplete without him.

I didn't care anymore, I would walk into hell itself if it meant saving Axel.

Because everything was worth fighting for when it came to Him.