Sweetbitter.

“Sir! Wake up!”

The world was a blend of colors and loud noise, too much emotion in one room. A bright green light burned through the prince’s eyelids as he tried to focus on his bodyguard’s voice.

“What is it? What the hell is going on?”

Samuel could hear the hesitation in Jacob’s voice even before he saw the aura dim.

“Sir…it’s your sister. Something’s wrong. She…she’s lost her memory."

“What?”

“Half the tower is gone. It happenedjust now, just a few…it wasn’t an attack. Not an outside one, at least. She…” Jacob trailed off as he saw the horror in his prince’s eyes.

“What do you mean, not an outside one? How did this happen? Is she okay?!” Sam was out of bed now, grabbing the jacket that he’d draped across his desk the night before. What the hell could’ve happened? She’d gone to sleep not hours before, and they weren’t even under attack-

“She’s the one who destroyed the tower.” Jacob’s voice stopped him in his tracks. Samuel turned slowly to see that his bodyguard’s forest green aura didn’t flicker a bit. He was telling the truth, and he was just as scared as Sam was.

“She can’t remember anything. Her magic…it looks like it was on accident. I’ve managed to get her safe in one of the guest quarters, but…this isn’t an attack, Samuel. It’s not like that.”

“What’s it like, then? My little sister accidentally destroyed half the castle and lost her memories overnight?! She was fine when she went to bed! Normal!” Jacob nodded, grabbing Samuel’s arm as he led him to the guest quarters. The prince could hardly stand, Jacob noticed. With all the emotion and panic in the castle, it was a wonder he managed to stay conscious with his abilities.

“It’s not like that.” He repeated, opening the heavy wooden door. “It’s like she’s-“

Sam finished the sentence, breathing out one word as he saw his sister’s pale face against the maroon bedsheets.

“Sick.”