Crown of Thorns

37-38

CHAPTER 37

When I opened my eyes, a white world unfolded. For a moment, I felt like I was in a field of snow, and I was mesmerized for a moment. The cold air and the smell of snow were missing, but the dazzling beauty was the same.

As I slowly lowered my eyes, I saw white eyelashes that hung long and red sun-like eyes. Every time he blinked, his eyelashes covered his irises and made it look as though clouds were hiding the sun.

Evan, who resembles the wonders of nature, sat close by me and looked up at me with his chin raised. I closed my eyes again because the clear gaze seemed to have pierced me.

"What's wrong with you? Did you have a bad divination?"

I opened my eyes to Evan's voice and looked down at the card I was holding. It was as white as Evan's hair. It was Teror's divination. It was about to come true. I flipped the card and shuffled it with the rest. Evan is still just looking up at me.

I know that time is running out. If not now, I may never be able to use my influence. This was an opportunity given to me. It was the first step toward turning Evan into a warrior. And no one could be more qualified to serve as Evan's fence.

So I have to tell him, I have to let him know of this.

My mouth refused to cooperate.

"Nyx, you don't look good. What's the matter?"

I straightened out my furrowed brows. I tried not to make it obvious, but I was caught. Evan has recovered everything the witch had lost. Her emotions, as well as her facial expressions too. So it's even harder. To let Evan go.

To be left alone again.

The cards, which had been shuffled recklessly, were put down in a constant arrangement and turned over. As if to laugh at my troubles, the god of death is still lurking beside Evan. The god of death whispers to me. Give me your warrior, and I'll give you eternal life.

It's as sweet as the devil's temptation, but it's bitter poison to me. I don't need an eternity. What I want most is death. Protect the warrior from the god of death. And to have him take me instead. Yes, in order to save the warrior, I had to die. Now the road is open, what am I waiting for? If I can't change the future, I'll be alone forever. What would a brief breakup amount to in comparison with endless agony?

I put down my cards and turned my eyes to Evan.

"Evan."

"Yes, say it."

His earnest red eyes, staring at me as if he would listen to whatever I say, are heartbreaking. No matter what the world is, no matter how ugly and dirty it is, he is like the sun that illuminates us all, consistently warm. How can I be so unhappy when the sun, which I thought had abandoned me and turned away from me, rose up here and looked at me?

I stared into those eyes for a moment, pulled something out of my sleeves, and handed it to Evan. Evan unwittingly accepted it and could not conceal his bewilderment.

"What is this?"

Evan looked at the thing and asked. The elaborately carved object looked like a necklace, it also looked like an ornament worn on a garment, but it had a subtle glow. It was responding to Evan's energy. The object that was close to silver in my hand had turned white in Evan's hand. In the wind, the engraved pattern in the middle revealed itself clearly.

"You keep it. From now on, this is yours."

"What is this?"

"It's something that will protect you."