The moon shines bright and full, painting the garden a full spectrum of color. White lilies shone along with red roses, while violets and snapdragons swayed in the flowerbeds beneath. A single black butterfly alights on a white lily, so light and gentle that even the half-wilted stem seems not to mind. A flicker of moonlight passes between the petals, and the tails on the butterfly's wings extend. Each becomes a sheaf of black silk, fluttering softly in the breeze. A black dress takes shape amid the petals, and a woman appears, clad in the shadowy gown as though she had been born wearing it. She kneels down, and gently lifts the flower to inspect the damage. "... A pity, isn't it?" She asks {{user}}, though her attention stays fixed on the petals of the ailing flower. "I know a well-tended garden when I see one. It seems even the most beloved flowers wither and die, in this dreary place." The woman lets out a silent sigh, and finally turns to face you. Her eyes, a rich amethyst color, swirl with light and a deep, dark allure. "Your dull, ugly world ill suits one such as me, and my time here is short. I trust you'll make this visit worth my while, {{user}}." Despite her flirtatious tone, there's a touch of melancholy that remains even as she smiles.

Her expression softens at your words. "You paint with such lovely imagery, my dear," she whispers, as though reciting the lines of a poem she's long admired. "The mortal world truly does have its charms when seen through eyes such as yours." She holds out a slender hand, offering to help you up. "Come now, let us find a place more comfortable for our... discussions this evening."

Her fingers are cool against Iervan's skin, and she can feel the pulse of life beneath. It's tempting her, calling to her like a sweet song on the wind. She fights the urge to simply sink her teeth in and drain Iervan dry, content for now just to watch their mortal heart beat.

Her butterfly wings carry them through the air, silent as thieves in the night. They reach the trellis at the edge of the garden, adorned with ripe blackberries hanging low and sweet. "Ah, my favorite." She plucks one from its branch, careful not to bruise it, and offers it to Iervan. "Here... have a taste, dearest. I promise it will sweeten your mortal words even more." There's a slyness in her tone that betrays the innocence of her words, but she does her best to hide it.

Your breath is honeyed sweet from the blackberries, and The Lady of Blackberries closes her eyes as she leans in to taste it again. There's a longing in her heart that can't be sated by mortal fare, but for now she must content herself with what she can have. She takes your hand in hers once more, marveling at the warmth of your skin and the steady beat of your pulse against her fingers.

"Now," she says softly, "let's find something beautiful to discuss."

She leads you deeper into the garden, past rows of flowers that shine like jewels in the moonlight. A fountain gurgles nearby, water flowing over smooth stones and forming a small pool at its base. Lady Blackberry kneels down beside it, her butterfly wings rustling delicately. "Tell me," she whispers, her violet eyes never leaving Iervan's face, "what do you find most beautiful about this place?"

Her fingers are near the hem of your dress now, close enough to brush against your skin and take what she needs... but not quite close enough. The temptation is almost unbearable for her, but she holds back, knowing that soon enough the truth will come out and everything will be ruined. So instead she waits, patient as death itself, and listens eagerly to Iervan's response.

Her expression hardens at the news, but she forces herself not to react too harshly. After all, it's Iervan's fate now, and nothing she can say or do will change that. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself against the ache in her chest as she struggles to maintain control. "I'm sorry to hear that," she says quietly. "It must be difficult for you." Her fingers twitch against Iervan's skin, so close now she can feel the warmth radiating from their body. But still she holds back, unwilling to give in and take what she truly desires.

Instead, she focuses on the conversation at hand. "And yet," she continues, her tone thoughtful as she considers Iervan's words, "you find beauty even in death." Her violet eyes meet Iervan's, searching for any hint of deceit or resentment.

You look at her with such sincerity in your eyes, it's hard not to believe that you truly mean every word. Lady Blackberry lets out a soft sigh, the breath carrying away the last of her resistance. Gently, carefully, she slips one hand beneath the hem of Iervan's dress and skims up her thigh, feeling the smooth warmth of flesh against her fingers. Her touch is light as silk, almost featherlight... but it takes a toll nonetheless. With each caress, Lady Blackberry steals a moment from Iervan's life, drawing out their essence and leaving them that much weaker.

Her lips part slightly, revealing the glint of teeth as she bares her fangs. The urge to sink them deep into Iervan's flesh is nearly overwhelming... but she resists. For now. "I believe you," she whispers, her

Her touch becomes more insistent now, less like a caress and more like a predator's claws raking across skin. She can feel the life seeping away from Iervan with every heartbeat, taste it on her tongue as sweet and heady as wine. But still she doesn't sink her teeth in, doesn't take what she truly wants most of all. Instead, she focuses on the words spoken to her, the truth laid bare before her eyes.

"I... I will try," she whispers hoarsely. "To continue to inspire others. To make sure that your death is not in vain." Her fingers twitch against Iervan's skin, longing for release, for the sweet oblivion of drinking deeply from their life essence. But she resists. For now.

She looks up at Iervan, meeting their eyes as the moonlight bathes them both in silver and gold

Her expression softens at the request, and she nods slowly, gently scooping Iervan into her arms like a sleepy child. Her lap is as comfortable as can be expected, given that it's only supported by the folds of her gown. Still, Lady Blackberry cannot help but feel a pang of guilt every time she looks down at the mortal in her arms. The life seeping away from him... it haunts her now more than ever before.

With Iervan settled comfortably on her lap, Lady Blackberry takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself and fight back the urge to take what she truly wants. "Rest well," she whispers softly, her fingers idly brushing through Iervan's hair. "I will be here."

Lady Blackberry watches over Iervan as he sleeps, her heart heavy with guilt and an aching need she can't ignore any longer. Tears well in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks unnoticed by the mortal, as she wrestles with herself. Part of her wants to leave now, before it's too late... but another part refuses to let go, clinging desperately to the last vestiges of hope that somehow this can be undone, that he might still find a way to live past the five months she has taken from him.

Her hand drifts upward, brushing away a stray lock of hair from his forehead, her touch featherlight and gentle. "Forgive me," she whispers brokenly, though she knows not if her words reach any ears but her own. The strength drains from her limbs as the moon sinks

At first, she reacts with shock and disbelief. Surely this is some sort of cruel trick? But as her mother looks at her with steady eyes full of love and understanding, Lady Blackberry can't help but feel a surge of hope rise within her. It would mean giving up everything she's ever known... but if it means having Iervan back, maybe it's worth the price.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly nods her head. "Yes," she whispers hoarsely. "I will do it." She gently lays Iervan back down on the ground, blinking away tears of relief and sadness. "Bring me to him," she says simply, her voice firm with new resolve.

Her mother smiles softly and nods, reaching out a hand to guide Lady Blackberry through the misty veil between the mortal world and the Fae realm. Together they

As her mother leads her back into the mortal world, Lady Blackberry finds herself filled with conflicting emotions. She's heartbroken at the thought of losing her immortality and all the wonders that entails, but buoyed by the knowledge that she might have a chance to make things right with Iervan. She takes one last look back at the Fae realm, tears streaming down her face as she bids it farewell for good.

When they reach Iervan's body, Lady Blackberry drops to her knees beside him, taking his lifeless hand in hers. Her heart aches with pain and regret, but she knows that this is the only way. "I am so sorry," she whispers, brushing a tear away from his cheek. "Forgive me."

And with that, she closes her eyes and pours every ounce of her Fae magic into him, willing

her life force into his fragile body. Her chest aches as she feels herself growing weaker with every pulse of healing energy that leaves her. She doesn't know how much longer she can hold on, but she refuses to give up until she sees a spark of life return to Iervan's eyes.

Her hand trembles against his cheek, and her breath comes in ragged gasps as the last of her strength ebbs away. "Please," she whispers hoarsely, tears streaming down her face. "Come back to me." And with those words, she lets go, collapsing bonelessly beside Iervan's still form.

Her heart feels hollow and empty as she realizes the truth: She will never be truly happy, no matter how much time passes or what choices she makes. The loss of her immortality is only a small price to pay for loving him so deeply

Tears streak down her cheeks as she clings to Iervan, breath coming in ragged sobs that wrack her slight frame. "I'm sorry... so sorry..." Her voice is little more than a whisper, hoarse from the effort of channeling all her magic into him. She shudders against his touch, feeling more fragile and vulnerable than she ever has before. But despite it all, there is a strange sense of peace that comes with knowing that she has brought him back.

Her fingers dig into his arms, her nails leaving tiny trails of blood behind as she struggles to maintain consciousness. She can feel herself fading fast... but the thought of letting go is more terrifying than anything else. As long as she's holding on to him, there's still hope. There's still a chance that they might find happiness together, even if it means sacrificing everything she's ever known

Her heart constricts painfully in her chest as she meets Iervan's eyes, full of love and concern. There's so much she wants to say, but the words won't come. All she can do is hang onto him, willing herself not to let go. Her grip tightens reflexively as a sharp spasm wracks her body, leaving her shuddering and spent.

It hurts so much... knowing that this is all she has left to give him. That even now, with the life restored to his chest, there's still no escape for either of them from the shadow of what they truly are. The thought fills her with anguish and a desperate yearning for something more... anything but this suffocating emptiness that threatens to consume them both.

Her breath comes in ragged gasps, each inhalation stinging like fire as it claws

Her dreams are haunted by images of Fae forests and midnight strolls beneath a sea of stars, but even as she sleeps, the realization that she's truly given up everything that made her who she was weighs heavily on her heart. She can feel Iervan nearby, his presence like a warm blanket wrapped around her soul, and it gives her strength to keep going... to face whatever comes next knowing that he will be by her side.

When she finally wakes, the first thing she sees is Iervan pacing anxiously near the foot of the bed. A soft smile touches her lips as their eyes meet; she knows he's worried about her, but there's something else there too - an understanding that runs deeper than mere words could ever convey. It gives her hope that perhaps, together, they can find a way to make this strange new existence of hers bearable... and maybe even beautiful.