Alejo

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My heart stopped as the door burst open. From it came no other than Astria. But my heart only stood still for a second, if even that, before it started racing. My hold on Morana got harder, and I rushed forward, dragging her with me.

Astria had also reacted, and I felt a gush of wind as her spell missed us. Instead, it hit the wall and created an explosive bang, followed by a shockwave, which made both me and Morana tumble forward and down the stairs.

I got to my feet quickly, but not fast enough. The sound of Astria's spell had alarmed everyone else, and I looked up just in time to see ropes extend and bind Morana.

There were angry shouts and yells, but I was too focused on Morana to make out what they said. She tried to pull free, but was unable to. The adrenaline pumped through me and though I was terrified, I couldn't ever remember having been as calm and collected as in that moment.

I had to get her away from there. That was all I needed to concentrate on.

I summoned my magic and before anyone had time to do anything else, I had slashed at the ropes that bound her, freed her. Then again, before anyone could do a thing, I created an invisible protective barrier. It wasn't strong and would break at any moment, but as long as it gave us a second or two, that was hopefully enough.

Morana was up on her feet and we both ran for the door.

"We got to get off the property too," I yelled at her.

My hand was on the doorhandle and had started to open it when Morana yelled.

"Duck!"

I turned around and managed to press myself against the wall so that the second of Astria's blasts also missed the both of us. This time it instead exploded the door away, leaving behind the smell of burned wood.

I once again took hold of Morana and we ran out. The lawn in front of the house was also protected against teleporting and we needed to make it across it and out the gate. It was about ten yards and then we could flee to wherever and decide on what to do next.

I felt myself being pushed up into the air and forward by such a powerful force that I lost my grip on Morana. I landed by the hedges which surrounded the lawn. So close to freedom and safety, but also immensely far away because as I looked up, I saw that Morana had been thrown in the opposite direction. What was more, she was slumped by the yew tree with a hand over her head. A hand that was partly covered in blood.

"No!" I yelled and made to run to her. But I barely got a step closer before I felt something invisible knocking me off balance.

"You two are much more trouble than I ever imagined," Mom snarled. She stood on top of the stairs leading to the now destroyed front door. Astria and Senalda stood by her sides, and a few of the others mingled behind. My eyes caught Marianela, who looked away.

I tried getting to my feet again, but once more I was knocked back down.

"Oh no, neither of you are going anywhere." Mom flicked her fingers, and I felt rope bind together my hands and legs.

Helplessly, I looked over at Morana. She had gotten up on her knees and looked over at me with terror in her eyes and a small cut to the side of her face by her hairline.

"I thought you were smarter," Mom continued and both me and Morana looked back over at her. "I thought you would realize it was in your best interest to join us. Or at least to not go against us."

"Then you're the dumb one," Morana snorted back. "I'll never be a part of a group that treats people the way you do."

Mom sighed. "That's too bad. I was preparing to help you find out more about your past. But I guess you'll die not knowing."

I clawed at the ropes as well as I could, desperate to break free, desperate to reach Morana. But it was completely pointless. And bound as I was, I couldn't come up with any spell to break them and the sharpest thing I had was my nails and they did no damage.

I looked around, tried to see if there was a rock nearby, and to my surprise, a steel knife appeared by my feet. I took it and started cutting through the ropes. It was rather awkward as the binding of my wrists didn't allow for much movement of my hands. But no one paid me any attention, they all had their eyes on Morana. And for once, I was thankful they all considered me weak and defenseless.

"You think that'll entice me to change my mind? You really know nothing of relationships then!" Morana yelled, and Mom laughed. The ropes around my wrists fell to the ground.

"I know enough and no. By now, you've caused too much trouble. As interested as I am in your magic, you're not worth it."

The ropes around my legs broke as well, and I scrambled to my feet. Mom said a spell and moved her hands to cast it. I didn't think in the slightest about what could happen. Didn't care what the spell could be, I only knew I could not let it hit Morana.

I ran forward. Each step took excruciatingly long to finish. And it felt like I had lead in my legs. I saw some notice me. Saw them turn to Mom to tell her. Ask for instructions. Had time to see Mom shake her head. Had time to reach Morana just as Mom released the spell.

Pain. Unimaginable pain rippled through my body. Tore at every corner of my being. As if my insides were being ripped apart by the nerves.

But the pain didn't matter, because I looked into Morana's eyes. They were wide, the blue looked deeper than normal. The cut from before, the only sign of injury. Morana hadn't been hit. Morana was still safe.

"No!" she yelled as I swayed on the spot and fell to the ground. Only I didn't fall to the ground, I fell into her embrace. Her arms held me. Her hand on my cheek.

"No, you idiot!" Morana yelled again. I saw tears falling from her eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes. If only I knew what they reminded me of.

I could hear the incantations of more spells. Feel the shift in the wind as they came at us. But above and to the side of us, the spells exploded, making sparks like firework dance around us, while we were both left untouched. They created a beautiful mix of color, but that beauty only held my attention for a moment before Morana's eyes caught it again.

It seemed like Morana's magic once again acted on its own, like it had in the basement. It created a force field around us. Shielded us from all else. My beautiful and strong Morana.

She was much stronger than she knew.

"Why? You shouldn't have!" Morana sobbed.

I did my best to focus on her. Wanted to see nothing but her. But it became harder and harder by the second, and my mind was getting foggy.

"I had to," was all I managed to answer her, and I felt her grip on me become stronger. It felt like the only thing keeping me there, keeping me from floating away.

"I can't lose you. I can't be without you," she went on.

"I'll never leave you," I tried to say, but I wasn't sure I managed to get the words out.

I took a breath, wanted to tell her I loved her. But as I breathed out, I knew I wouldn't have the time.

When all the air was out of my lungs, when my heart had thumped its last beat, when life left my body, there was one second. Not even a second. There was the shortest of moments during which our eyes were connected and I finally realized what the blue of her eyes reminded me of and a million thoughts rushed my mind, though there was not time for a single one.

They were the same blue as forget-me-nots. And I would never forget them. How could I? For as I realized that I also realized, though I couldn't understand how, that I cared for her and wanted to protect her. That I wanted her as mine and for me to be hers. That I loved her and would never love anyone else because she was 

Blue. The blue of forget-me-not. But I had forgotten even who I was.