Mask of Deception and Sacrifice

by Callie Thomas

“I said I’d protect you, little sparrow, and I will.”

“And I feel . . . different around you. It scares me a little, to be honest,”

“Sadness isn’t weakness. In fact, some would say it’s a strength because it’s one step closer to empathy.

“Stay with me.” It wasn’t a command, but a plea. “I don’t want to be alone anymore. Please.” And just like that, I passed the point of no return as the final wall around my heart crumbled.

“Fiona, I don’t care about crowns and kingdoms‍‍—especially my own that never cared for me. I don’t care about magic or power. I care about you.

Only by facing the good and the bad in your life were you able to become whole again.

“You gave me everything. And I will spend the rest of my life giving you all of me in return. You, Fiona Ravenwood, have my heart until the end of time. And even then, I think I will love you from the beyond, waiting for you to join me. Anywhere you go, let me go too.”

“No more stabbing people. Promise?” He sucked in a breath. “I can’t. If it’s between your life and someone else’s‍‍—I’m always going to pick you. But I’m willing to not stab anyone if they’re not threatening you . . . unless you want me to.” I mean . . . that is progress.

I want forever with you.”

You opened my eyes and made me feel things I didn’t understand . . . sometimes I still don’t. But I want to. So I can keep listening to music only you can sing into my soul, the melody that healed me in ways no other has.”

You, my muse, are the notes that beat in my heart‍‍—music so wonderful that I’m too greedy to share with the world. There is a melody in each of your smiles, when you wake in the morning, and when you laugh unexpectedly. But most especially when your lips are on mine‍‍—for that one is the most exquisite of all.”