I don't know how long I waited in the dark for my release. I think at one point, someone had eventually delivered some watery soup– but I couldn't remember how long ago that had been.

When I was released– I could barely stand. My body was breaking out in cold sweats and my forehead was scalding to the touch.

The guard that hauled me out cursed at me for not moving faster– but honestly, with my vision swimming– he could have been calling me a fish and it wouldn't have registered.

By some miracle, we made it to my room and I was shoved inside. My legs gave and I fell– landing in a heap on the floor.

I knew I had to get up and go to bed, but I had no energy to pry myself off the ground. My breath felt hot panting out from my lips, my head was ponding erratically.

Is this how I die again? I thought before slipping out of consciousness.

Voices– garbled and disorienting– reached my ears. Words that made no sense. My eyes refused to open until I heard the sound of my full name being called.

Struggling, I managed to pry open my eye lids– and saw a crowd of people glaring up at me. What's going on? I wondered, trying to turn my head.

A sharp sensation of something biting into my skin– forced my head straight.

"...Is guilty of administering poison to the future crown princess." A deep voice boomed. "On this day of the seventh month of the year 651, Kyla of house Thornevale shall be stripped of her title and her life."

The crowd erupted into roars. Some cheered, egging on the execution– others called me a snake, a harlot, and anything else they could think of on the spot.

I see. I thought, looking up toward the sky. This is a memory of what's to come.

Movement before me drew my eye and I looked down to see the crown prince standing before me– a bright white sword embedded with red rubies gleamed in the mid-afternoon sunlight.

"Do you have any last words?" He asked, raising the sword up.

"No." I found myself saying as tears rolled down my face. "What words could express my innocence when no one believes me?"

"Lying until the end." The crown prince sighed, walking behind me.

"Wait…do…we have to kill her?" Paulita's voice flitted from somewhere in the back. "She might have been-"

"No, Paulita." Cassius interrupted– voice cold as steel. "You already know there's no chance she's innocent."

"I know but I feel so bad." Paulita sniffled. "I just wanted to befriend her."

"Look away." Cassius instructed. "You do not need to see her head fall."

I am innocent. I thought, looking once more at the sky. Why would I poison her? Yes she was a pain and annoying, but I never laced her drink with poison.

I felt the blade strike my neck– then felt and saw nothing.

The world around me exploded into a kaleidoscope of colors. The air shifted and I fell– landing hard on my feet.

Darkness surrounded me before a bright light split through it– exploding the blackness.

I stood in an alley, on a dark moonless night. Two shapes, with hoods pulled over their heads stood in the shadows.

"Did you get the poison or not?" A high-pitched female voice asked. "I'm not paying you until you have it."

"It's here pr-"

"Let me see." She reached out, snatching the bottle. "Are you sure this will work as intended?"

"Yes." The man grumbled. "A single drop will cause unconsciousness. Two will bring instant death."

"Alright." The woman pocketed it and tossed a bag at the man. "We never met. If you see me again-"

"Yes, yes." The man waved her away. "I won't speak or acknowledge you at all."

"Good." The woman turned and walked past me.

I tilted my head as she walked by– trying to see her face. Unfortunately, her features were blurred and shadowed.

As she breezed past me– the smell of lilies wafted through my nose.

The scene began to fade and I found myself on my knees, cradling a white-gold haired man. Blood soaked through his clothes and I felt fear and desperation fighting in my chest.

"Please don't give up hope." I begged, pressing my hands against his wounds. "Please, Cassius, if you-"

"I'm beyond saving, Kyla." He coughed, gently touching my hand. "You have to leave before they return."

"I'm not leaving you!" I snapped, looking into his painfilled eyes. "You will not die here, Cassius. I swear I will save you."

"Kyla," He lifted my hands from his chest, with a strength he should not have had. "Go. Now."

"No!" I screamed, feeling tears running down my face. "I can't lose you, Cassius. Things weren't supposed to be this way."

The scene around me exploded once more and I found myself floating in a white room– devoid of all sounds, sensations, and feelings.

"Choose." A voice suddenly echoed around me. "You must choose."

"Choose?" I asked, glancing around. "Choose what?"

Silence followed my question before my reflection appeared before me. No– not a reflection– another Kyla.

"Who are you?" I asked, confused. "What is happening?"

"Choose your destiny." She said simply, touching our palms together. "One will die, one will live. Choose wisely."

"I don't understand. What do you mean-"

The words on my lips died when Kyla shoved me away. I felt my body begin to fall through nothingness.

The next instant I woke up– gasping for air.

The room around me was shadowed in twilight, quiet, and empty. I groaned and sat up– realizing absently that I was somehow on the bed.

"What was that?" I asked, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart was pounding against my ribcage as if it were trying to escape.

I replayed the dream over and over in my mind– understanding less and less each time.

Whatever I saw– whatever I experienced made no sense. At all.

I only knew one thing for sure.

Something was changing and the plot of the novel was starting to fade.