The world was silent.
Pain flared in her chest and back, a faint ringing buzzing in her ears—but before she could process it, the chaos, the screaming, and the thunder of falling stone, faded to white.
Esme's eyes opened slowly to a wash of pale light above her. Everything felt suspended, soundless, and weightless around her. For a second, she thought she was underwater. Then the smell of rain reached her, soothing and calm.
She tried to move but nothing responded. Her fingers wouldn't twitch, and her lips barely parted.
Her mind clawed through the haze, and the first name to surface was his: Lennox.
"Lennox," she whispered, or thought she did. No sound came out.
Panic instantly prickled through her chest. He had shielded her with his body earlier. What if he hadn't survived?
But she had no time to worry because from somewhere behind the light, a man's voice suddenly rang out.
"Hello, Esme."
Her eyes quickly darted toward the sound. "Who— who's there?"
The voice was calm.
It also sounded old. Not unkind, but distant, as if the speaker had been waiting a very long time. "You don't need to know who I am. I'm here to help."
She gave a faint, broken laugh. "Help? Where am I? What happened? Where's Lennox?"
"You're wondering," he said, in that same unhurried tone, "if he's alive."
Her breath caught. "Is he?"
Instead of answering, the world around her rippled. The light bent, folding like mist. Two faint images formed before her eyes, translucent, as though projected on glass.
In one, she saw herself lying in a hospital bed, pale and still, machines surrounding her. Nurses moved in quick, careful motions around her body.
In the other, in a different room and different bed laid Lennox. His skin bruised, chest unmoving, and doctors shouting instructions as they shuffled around him.
Her throat tightened. She reached out instinctively, but her hand passed through the image like it wasn't there.
"Lennox…" she whispered. Her voice trembled now, worriedly. "Please."
The man's voice returned, softer. "You still love him."
Esme froze. She wanted to deny it.
The words rose to the tip of her tongue but they didn't make it past her lips.
"That's too bad," he said gently. "You're not meant for each other. Every time you try to force it, you destroy each other a little more."
"That's not true," Esme retorted instantly, unable to help herself.
She looked into the white light surrounding her, voice shaking. "We—"
"He's destined for someone else," the man said. He didn't seem bothered by her obvious panic. "And if you hold on, both of you will suffer. That's your curse."
The words struck something deep and raw. She stared at the light until her eyes burned. "So what happens now? We just die?"
"There's another way." His voice was steady, but something like pity threaded through it. "If you can live apart, you both may live again."
Her breath hitched. "How?"
"You'll go through five lifetimes," he said. "Five chances to let go. In each one, if you live without falling in love with him, your souls will separate naturally. When that happens, you'll be free."
Esme's heart pounded.
She thought for a moment before asking,"And if I can't?"
"If you fail all five," he said quietly, "your consciousness will be erased. Both of you will cease to exist."
Esme paused at this. She hesitated for some time as she thought about it. Then, quietly: "I'll do it."
The man laughed softly. "You don't even know what forever feels like."
"Then I'll find out," she said.
For a long time, there was silence. Then, he spoke again, his tone more deliberate, as though reciting an oath.
> "You must not fall in love with him in any of the lifetimes."
> "You must ensure he fulfills his destined connection in each life and that he meets the one meant for him."
> "You must not intervene beyond your designated role."
As Esme listened to the rules, her hands curled at her sides, nails digging into her palms. Could she really survive these tests? Five lifetimes… and one misstep could erase them both.
The light pulsed slightly and the man went on.
> "Violation of these rules will result in immediate emotional collapse and the death of one or both of you."
> "Fail all five lifetimes, and your souls will end."
Esme swallowed hard. "Then what's the catch?"
He chuckled again. It was low, almost like rain tapping on glass. "There's always a catch. In fact, I have a gift for you. It will help you through your journey as long as you obey the rules."
"Wait—" Her mind spun. "If I lose my memories after each life, how will I recognize him?"
"Some things do not need remembering to be known," the voice replied. Then, the white light began to fracture, folding inward like mist breaking into shards of sound and color.
"Don't forget," the voice whispered as it faded. "Five chances. No more."
Then, the world vanished.
…
When Esme opened her eyes again, she was neither in a hospital bed nor in the white light.
Cold stone pressed against her knees. Her hands were bound, and she seemed to be in some kind of gathering. Several loud voices rang around her and it sounded like people were arguing.
She looked up slowly and her eyes fell on him.
Across from her stood a man in deep navy and silver. He was tall and composed, his presence steady and seemingly unshakeable. His eyes were cold, his face regal and distant, and the air around him felt heavy with command.
Unfeeling.
That was the first thing that went through her mind as her eyes landed on him.
Though she had never seen him before, the moment their gazes locked, something in her chest moved.
Before she could make sense of it, his voice rang out like a blade.
"Take her away. Have her beheaded."
Esme froze.