Chapter 54

Ayla knew she was dreaming the moment she saw herself dressed in armor. Rhobart’s head was on her lap. His face was contorted with pain, and a big wound was on his stomach. Blood was coming out of it.

Tears ran down her face as she interlaced her fingers with those of Rhobart’s.

“You promised!” she sobbed.

Rhobart grimaced with pain. “I will always be with you, Ayla!”

She sobbed harder. “You can’t! You promised!”

“I will wait for you in the Eternal Gardens,” Rhobart said his voice barely a whisper.

“You promised me we would grow old together!” she yelled.

“I am sorry to break that promise!” Rhobart said before closing his eyes.

His heart stopped beating.

Her screams echoed in her mind over and over, the terror in her heart bleeding out with the sound.

******

Her own screams woke her up. She looked for Rhobart on the bed but remembered they had asked for separate rooms. They didn’t want to share a bed while unmarried.

His room was across from hers. She needed to see him, to