The Illusion
Chapter 23: The Illusion
After spending a day at the healer's house, they were back at Gabriel's castle.
It was in the middle of the night…everything seemed quiet except for the crackle of the fire the servants left overnight.
Gabriel pushed the door open with his shoulder, carrying Lirian in his arms.
She was light as a feather, but her skin was pale and clammy.
Her body burned with fever, and her breathing came in shallow gasps.
Gunther and Johann followed Gabriel from behind, but Gabriel didn't look at them.
He was completely occupied with a woman in his arms.
"Put her in the bed," Johann said, glancing around Lirian's chambers.
Gabriel nodded, crossing the small space in a few strides.
He knelt, carefully lowering Lirian onto the thin mattress.
Her head rolled to the side, and a soft whimper escaped her lips.
"She's burning up," Gunther muttered.
"We need water! Hurry up, wake up the servants."
After a few minutes, Johann was back.
He brought and set down a bucket of water on the floor.
Gabriel dipped a cloth into the water, wringing it out before placing it on Lirian's forehead. "It's the wounds. They're infected."
Johann stood by the window, keeping watch. "How long can she last like this?"
Gabriel didn't answer. He pressed the cloth against Lirian's burning skin, his jaw clenched.
Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, glassy and unfocused. "Gab…riel…"
"I'm here," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Rest, Lirian. You'll be fine."
Her eyes closed again, and her breathing slowed.
Gabriel stayed by her side, his hand on hers.
'Why are you making me act like this..,?'
~____~
Lirian felt like she was floating.
The heat from her body melted into the world around her, and everything turned soft and golden.
She opened her eyes and found herself in a weird plac.
The air seemed warm, and sunlight streamed through the trees.
"What… where am I?" she whispered.
Golden butterflies danced in the air, their wings looked like fireflies in the dusk.
She took a step forward, brushing her feet against the soft grass.
Far, in the distance, she saw a person.
A girl stood there, in a white dress that was flowing.
She was laughing, her hands reached up to catch the butterflies.
Lirian froze.
It was her?
No, not her.
The girl was identical to her, but something was different.
Her eyes were brighter, her skin was untouched by scars or pain.
She spread warmth, like a flame that could never burn out.
The girl looked at her and smiled. "You're here," she said.
"Who are you?" Lirian asked in a trembling voice.
The girl lifted her head. "You don't recognise me?"
Lirian shook her head, taking another step closer. "No. What is this place?"
The girl didn't answer.
Instead, she turned, her hands reached for the butterflies again.
They landed on her fingers, their wings started glowing.
Lirian felt some pressure in her chest.
"Wait," Lirian called.
The girl turned back, and suddenly, her smile faded.
"You have to save Gabriel."
Lirian blinked. "What? What do you mean?"
The girl didn't answer.
Then, she stepped closer, "You need to save my husband."
Lirian's heart stopped. "Your… husband?"
The girl reached out, her hand almost touched Lirian's cheek.
But before their fingers could meet, she vanished.
"No!" Lirian shouted, running forward. "Wait! Come back!"
The illusion dissolved around her, the golden light faded into darkness.
Lirian started running faster, her heart pounded. "Come back! I don't understand!"
Her feet gave out beneath her, and she fell.
She woke with a gasp, tears falling down her face.
Her body ached, and the fever made her head spin.
She tried to move, but someone's arms wrapped around her, were holding her tight.
"Lirian, it's me," Gabriel's voice said close to her ear.
She looked up, her sight was blurred by tears.
She blinked and then Gabriel's face came into focus, his strong arms cradling her.
"It's okay," he said calmly. "You're safe."
Lirian shook her head, the tears started coming harder. "No, no! You're going to die!"
Gabriel frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"You'll die!" she sobbed in a breaking voice. "She said I have to save you!"
"Who said that?" he asked gently.
"The… the other me," she whispered.
"She called you her husband. She said I have to save you. Gabriel, I don't understand!"
Gabriel tightened his hold on her, his hand brushed her hair.
"You don't have to understand. Just rest. I'm not going anywhere."
Lirian buried her face in his chest, her sobs made her whole body shake.
"But you will! I saw it… I felt it! You're going to die, and it's all my fault!"
"Stop," Gabriel said firmly, pulling back to look her in the eyes. "It's not your fault, Lirian."
She shook her head, her hands clutched his shirt. "I can't lose you. I can't…"
"You won't," he said.
"But—"
"I promise you," he said. "I won't die. Not now, not ever. Not while you need me."
Lirian stared at him, her tears still falling.
She wanted to believe him, but the heavy pressure in her chest didn't let her.
What were these feelings? It was not hers.
Why did she worry about Gabriel…? Gabriel…out of all people; why him? She hated him.
He hated her…
He pressed his hand gently against her forehead. "You're burning up again. You need to calm down."
She tried to breathe, but the pain in her chest made her gasp. "Gabriel…"
"I'm here," he said again, pulling her close.
Her sobs quieted as she rested against him, exhaustion finally started taking over.
Gabriel held her tightly, his eyes hard as they stared at the wall.
"I won't let anything happen to you, Lirian," he murmured. "And I won't let you lose me. I swear it."
Outside, the wind howled through the trees, carrying away her cries.
Why was the young Lirian telling her to save Gabriel? She couldn't understand.
He killed her…he killed them, then why?