The Dream Catcher

❝ "You cannot."

"You can't stop me."

"It isn't that I can't, Siri. I could never stop you. But you cannot love me." His eyes were teary then, so unlike her own dry ones. "You mustn't."

"And if I already have?"

"It's funny," he turned away, then. "My preaching you this way. I tell you everything must and mustn't do, and I'm a hypocrite for that. For I have, already, fallen for you, so far into your blessedness and peace that I don't think I can go back if I tried."

"Then you cannot." She shrugged at him simply. "You can't fall out of love. That's just... impossible."

"You're right." His smile was wistful, easy. "You can't simply fall out of love this deep." ❞

Running away from home had been for more than one reason, but Siri kept her reasons to herself, as had her best friend. As a child she dared to dream, and every dream came with the catcher, whether or not she wished it. Sometimes, unlike the tales, the dreams weren't all too sweet. She dealt with it all, though. She handled it all. Tough and ready to fight the world, Siri Quincel was a one-of-a-kind witch, one that had given up her magic, but not her spirit.

Falling in love with the boy had been foolish, and unethical. If anything, the Mortals would hunt her down for the rest of her life for this kind of blasphemy, not to mention what her own kind would do if they ever caught up to her. She didn't care, though, for she would do it again, and again, till the world ceased to exist, till the world stopped caring enough about whom she saved.

A forbidden love during dark times, Siri knew she'd have to run forever. She would. She would run to the ends of the world and back, if only she could keep the one she loves safe.

/sequel to Rise of the Jemdors. Read first before reading this one./