Chapter 63

I can barely walk up the stairs, my hands holding the blade of the knife as it begins to burn my flesh. I know I cannot continue with silver in my body. I will begin to bleed out, but I can try to stop the bleeding at least. Each tug at the knife feels like I am being stabbed all over again. I cry out, tears streaming down my face as the fire grows closer. Taking in one more deep breath, I take out the rest of the knife and it falls to the floor, my burnt hands moving to my open wound as I try and apply pressure.  Blood leaks out onto my hands as I climb the stairs, my body growing weaker as I make it to the top of the stairs, but not to the same hallway.  I am separated from Leo, unable to remember the palace well enough from here to find my way back to him. Crying out his name, I call for him over and over again, my voice weakening as I continue to move forward, seeing an opening to the palace gardens as I stumble to the doorway. A bench is near me, just by