You are standing on the edge of the forest, surrounded by enemies. Mattheo refuses to let them get near you.

“You have to run,” Mattheo says, his wand gripped so tight his knuckles go white. “Now.”

You don’t move. “I’m not leaving you.”

Mattheo turns around, his eyes blazing. “If you stay, you'll d!e. And I swore I’d never let that happen.”

Footsteps crunch through the dead leaves ahead. Shadows form — tall, cloaked and masked. De4th Eaters. At least five of them.

You reach for your wand, but Mattheo steps in front of you, shielding you with his body like he always does.

“I’ve fought them before,” he mutters. “I’ll fight them again.”

One of the De4th Eaters laughs, his voice hollow through the mask. “How romantic,” he hisses. “But love doesn’t save anyone, boy. You’ll both d!e here.”

Mattheo lifts his wand, “You can try,” he growls. “But you’re not touching her. Not while I’m standing.”

The first curse flies.

Mattheo intercepts it in mid-air and his spell explodes in a blinding flash of light, knocking one of them straight back into the trees. The battle erupts. Spells tear through the forest like lightning. Trees split. Dirt flies. The night screams.

Mattheo's movements are fierce, fast and unrelenting. You can barely track him. Every curse that approaches you is shattered by him in the air. Every breath he takes is for you.

Then, one of them gets a shot in.

A spell slams into his side. He lets out a strangled sound and drops to one knee.

“Mattheo!” you cry out, rushing toward him, but he throws out his arm to stop you.

“Stay back!” he yells, staggering to his feet.

“Please, just stop,” you beg, your eyes wide with panic. “Please.”

“I said I’d protect you,” Mattheo says, his words trembling. “I did. And I will… even if it’s the last thing I do.”

A De4th Eater throws a green spell directly at you, but Mattheo intercepts it without thinking. His shield shatters in a burst of sparks, but this buys him just enough time. He spins and fires back a stunning spell with such force that it slams the man against a tree.

The others scatter, disappearing into the woods like shadows.

Silence.

Mattheo stumbles forward before collapsing onto his knees. You’re there in seconds, catching him and holding his body against yours.

“I’m okay,” he whispers. “Just… give me a minute.”

“You reckless-,” you whisper, tears spilling down your cheeks. “You almost d!ed.”

“But I didn’t,” Mattheo says, forcing a faint, crooked smile. “Because you were here. You kept me going.”

You hold him tighter.

“You protect me,” you whisper. “Now let me protect you.”

Mattheo closes his eyes and finds your hand, squeezing it weakly.

“For you,” he breathes, “always.”