The fever raged through Greywick like a silent storm.
By nightfall, the bells tolled endlessly. Smoke rose from burned belongings. Doors remained barred. Windows stayed shuttered. It was as if the entire town had folded in on itself out of terror.
Aria had never run so fast in her life.
Her cloak flew behind her as she half-carried, half-dragged Kaelan through the darkened street toward her home. His body was burning, his breath shallow, his skin drenched in sweat. Every few steps, he slipped from consciousness again.
Stay with me, Kaelan, she whispered over and over.Please, don't leave me.
She reached the back door of her family's house and kicked it open with her heel.
Her father, Master Vennor, started at the sight.Aria! You shouldn't-- who is?
It's Kaelan Ward, she said, heart breaking. The fever's taken him.
Master Vennor's expression tightened.Put him in the small room. Quickly.
She laid Kaelan gently on the bed. He groaned, his face twisted in pain.
Aria brushed the damp hair from his forehead.I'm here, she whispered.
He stirred.Aria…?
Yes. Yes, I'm right here.
Master Vennor brought cloths soaked in vinegar and herbs.Aria, step back. You mustn't...
I'm not leaving him.
Her father hesitated, seeing the determination, the fear, the love burning in his daughter's eyes then simply nodded.
For the next hours, they fought the fever.
Cold compresses.Tinctures.Prayers whispered over trembling lips.
But as dawn crept in, pale and merciless, Kaelan only worsened.
He tossed in delirium, mumbling words Aria could barely understand.
No… don't go…Don't leave me again…I'll find you… I promise…
The words stabbed straight through her.
He was dreaming of something deeper than this lifetime.Something older.Something painfully familiar.
Aria held his hand tightly as the fever climbed higher.
Kaelan, she whispered, voice breaking, please stay. Don't...
He gasped suddenly, back arching.
Master Vennor gripped Aria's shoulders.Aria, step away.
No! she cried.
Kaelan's eyes fluttered open — just barely.
His gaze found her.
It took him effort to focus, but when he did…a soft, heart-wrenching smile touched his lips.
I finished the portrait, he whispered.
Tears poured down Aria's cheeks.Yes. Yes, you did.
You look beautiful in it.
Her sob escaped uncontrolled.You must live to see it again.
He lifted a trembling hand, brushing her cheek.His skin was ice.
I dreamed of you, he murmured.In another life… I think you cried then too.
Her breath caught.Kaelan…
His eyes softened, the way they always did right before something painful.As if part of him already knew.
Aria…
Yes? she whispered.
Don't forget me.
Her heart broke inside her chest.
I won't, she said fiercely. I'll find you.
Kaelan exhaled, the faintest smile still on his lips.
Good… good…
His hand fell away.
His chest stilled.
His eyes dimmed.
And Kaelan Ward, the painter who had remembered love from another lifetime, died as the sun rose.
A cry tore from Aria's throat, raw and devastating, filling the tiny room with a grief that seemed far older than she was.
Master Vennor caught her as she fell forward, sobbing uncontrollably.
Outside, the bells began to toll again.
Inside, Aria held Kaelan's lifeless hand to her heart and something deep within her soul shattered for the second lifetime in a row.