Greywick was wrapped in a thin veil of fear.
By afternoon, black flags hung from three new houses. The plague had taken more victims overnight, and the air itself seemed tense — as though holding its breath. Even the crows sat silently on rooftops, watching, waiting.
Aria clutched her cloak tighter as she made her way to Kaelan's studio. She had spent the morning grinding herbs and preparing tinctures with her father, her fingers aching, her mind drifting again and again toward the painter with the strange, familiar eyes.
When she reached the studio door, she knocked softly.
No answer.
Her worry flared — until she noticed the door was slightly ajar. Pushing it open, she stepped inside.
Kaelan stood at the center of the room before the easel, still as stone, brush frozen mid-air. The half-finished portrait on the canvas was breathtaking — almost alive. He had captured her eyes with an impossible tenderness, as though he had painted not the girl before him, but the soul he remembered.
For a moment, the entire world felt silent.
Kaelan? Aria whispered.
He turned to her slowly.
His face was pale. Too pale.
She rushed toward him.What's happened?
He swallowed hard, his gaze dropping.
It's my brother, he said softly. He fell ill last night.
Aria's heart tightened. She reached for his hand.I'm so sorry.
He asked for me, Kaelan whispered, voice cracking. I didn't go. I was here. Painting.He looked at her with something like guilt, something like love.I didn't go, Aria.
She stepped closer, her hand on his arm.Then go now. He may still—
Kaelan shook his head.
He died this morning.
Silence. Heavy. Crushing.
Aria touched his cheek gently.This isn't your fault.
But he pulled away, pacing as if running from grief itself.
I should have been there. I should have closed this studio, I should have—
You were not to know, she whispered.
He faced her again — and the raw pain in his eyes made her breath tremble.
Aria… death follows me. It always has.
The words sent a cold shiver through her.Not because they were strange.
But because they felt true.
Deep in her bones.
As if she had watched him die once before.
Aria opened her mouth to speak, but Kaelan's body swayed suddenly.
His hand flew to the table to steady himself.
Kaelan? she breathed.
He forced a weak smile.I'm just tired.
But Aria's healer trained eyes saw more:
the slight flushing on his neck,the tremor in his fingers,the glassy sheen on his eyes.
A terrible dread unfurled in her stomach.
Kaelan… she whispered. Have you been feverish?
He hesitated — too long.A little.
The ground beneath her seemed to vanish.
No, she breathed. Not you. Please, not you.
He stepped toward her, placing a trembling hand on her cheek.Aria, he murmured, don't look at me that way.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She grabbed both his hands.
Let me take you home. Let me prepare medicines. You must rest, and—
No, he said softly.
She froze.
Please, she whispered. Don't refuse me.
Kaelan closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in the nearness of her.
If this is the plague… I don't want you near me.
She shook her head fiercely.I won't leave you.
He gave a broken, soft laugh.You always say that.
Something about those words made her chest tighten painfully—as if she had said it to hima hundred lifetimes beforejust like thisas he stood on the edge of death.
She touched his forehead lightly.Even without a thermometer, she felt the heat.
He was burning.
Lie down, Aria whispered. Please.
But Kaelan stepped backward toward the easel.
If I am dying, he said hoarsely, then let me finish this. Let me finish you.
Kaelan—
He lifted the brush, hand shaking uncontrollably, and began to paint.
Every stroke was a vow.Every breath a battle.
Aria watched, tears slipping silently down her cheeks, as he captured her face in the last sunlight he would ever see. The room glowed golden around them — an angelic glow that made the moment crueler.
His breath became ragged.
His hands weaker.
But he didn't stop.
Not until the final stroke.
The brush fell from his fingers.
Kaelan swayed.
Aria rushed to him, catching him against her chest as his knees buckled.
Kaelan! she cried.
He looked up at her, vision blurring.
You came back, he whispered.
I'll always come back, she sobbed.
His hand lifted weakly, brushing her cheek.I know.
His eyes began to close.
No, Aria whispered, shaking him gently.Kaelan, stay with me. Please—
But he slipped into unconsciousness, his head falling against her shoulder.
And as the light faded from the studio, the finished portrait glowed softly behind them — the last sunlight it would ever see.