- Mmm?

- Don’t leave me... - the longing in her voice made him instantly pull away.

His hands cupped her soft cheeks as he tried to see the question in her eyes...

- If something happens to you, I won’t be able to continue living. - All the sadness in the world was reflected on her face as she sighed heavily.

- Never. Don’t you ever say that. - He gently scolded her, but she interrupted him.

- I love you, Dex. More than anyone. – salty droplets of water appeared on the fluffy black eyelashes, moistening them. – it seems to me that I will no longer have the opportunity to tell you this.

Dexter wanted to say something, but she covered his lips with her hand.

- I know that you will not listen to me and will do everything to protect our kingdom, even if it destroys you. But I want you to finally accept my feelings, to take this burden off my soul. I will not stand aside and follow you into the thick of it. Let’s stay together until the very end.

Amanda’s eyes clouded with a crystal veil of tears and Dexter pulled her back to him, leaving a trembling kiss on her temple.

- Silly Mendy. There has always been a place in my heart for you alone. But you’re asking too much of me. Will I ever be able to put you in danger purposefully? - He gently stroked her head while she cried. - Would I be worthy of your love if I let you stand next to me?

She was trembling, feeling completely dissatisfied with his words. He was still that callous Dexter who couldn’t openly tell her that he loved her. He was still pushing her away, hiding behind good intentions, but still not understanding her true desires to just be with him for better or for worse.

With a shuddering sigh, she dried her tears, but now her face looked too exhausted.

- I won’t put any more pressure on you. – She said softly, pulling away. – Thank you for looking out for me all this time.

Dexter didn’t like her tone and lack of emotion, which she skillfully hid behind an emotionless facade. It made him even more uneasy than the words she had said earlier.

He wanted to protect her from the horror of the upcoming war, but she was like a moth flying into the fire and he couldn’t stop her. But he couldn’t accept her desire to die with him either. Did not want. He couldn’t let her.

Both of them instantly turned their heads towards the opening door when Artemis came out of the room. She was calm and looked like nothing had happened. The only thing that distinguished her from her previous state was her silence.

She looked at the pair of vampires and tilted her head slightly, as if analyzing the image in front of her eyes.

- I think her body is still there.– Dexter said.

Artemis did not allow herself to be horrified. She endured this information with fortitude, noting in her mind that Rafael had really changed a lot, he was no longer her husband... not the man she knew.

- I want to give her a decent burial. – She said and trudged to the place that once became a portal of salvation for her.

---

Jenin’s remains were buried in the crypt of Artemis.

No one gave a lavish send-off, it was a private funeral procession, in which only a few people gathered, which were Artemis, Adeline, Klaus and Mrs. Rose.

Thea had been silent since Artemis came to Jenin’s room.

- I chose this place so that Thea could come here later to honor the memory of her best friend. - Artemis said. – She was a bright and kind person who was not worthy of such a terrible death and yet now she is not with us. May her soul rest in peace, we will miss her mischievous smile and cheerful good nature.

Artemis bent down to lay flowers on the fresh grave. She felt grateful to Jenin for helping Thea open up.

Adeline, sniffing, looked as if she had died herself. A pale face, completely tear-stained, a staggering figure and trembling legs. She fell to her knees and sobbed bitterly, burying her forehead in an earthen embankment.

Klaus was there to just hug her when she needed support the most. He mentally thanked Jenin for her help and wished her soul to find rest.

Mrs. Rose also mourned in silence, remembering the young and beautiful red-haired girl. She often scolded and chastised her, punished her for her faults, but never wished her such a fate.

Despite the apparent strictness, in her heart she loved every girl who was subordinate to her. And even the obstinate Theanna, she especially warmed to her, although she did not show it.

If only she had shown any ostentatious kindness to any of her subordinates, it would have set a precedent and created problems for her favorites. Although it was only a stretch to call Thea a favorite. She was no better or worse than many of the other girls and boys working at the castle, except that Raphael singled her out especially.

That’s why Margaret was strict enough to keep the castle servants on their toes.

The housekeeper laid flowers on the grave and followed Artemis away, leaving Adeline and Klaus alone.

***

Booming, bright peals of lights scattered across the sky in bright colors. Someone might say that it looks beautiful if everyone wasn’t anxiously waiting for these very lights to destroy the magical maze.

It was an exciting wait.

Artemis paced back and forth in the room in the observation tower and it could not escape her gaze how quickly the maze was thinning, as if the ice was melting in the sun.

Everyone was in their positions, ready to launch a defense at any moment, and she had to give a clear signal to action as soon as she noticed that the last centimeters of the maze would dissolve.