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I was right. My sorrow did not end but by death. But it was not my death that ended it. And it was still not completely erased--faded, but still there.
Still...I think my soul is finally as peaceful as it can ever be again.
I waited in my old presence chamber, the lights dim. At the sound of the secret door opening I turned and meant to slowly rise...until I saw him.
"Jacob!" I cried, and I just had to run to him for an embrace.
"Shh," he whispered, but his arms tightened around me.
I let go and kissed my sister on each cheek. "You are worth more than this whole country," I told her happily.
"Now, now," she grinned. "Today we must think of the country over everything else." The way she said it gave me chills. But I had no time to think.
Suddenly we heard shuffling outside. Alice looked at the door quickly, face hunted.
"Alisyn. Jacob. Go, now."
But it was too late. The door swung open, revealing King Edward.
"There is death waiting on the other side of that secret door," he told us. "So you may want to come quietly."
Alice looked all around. Two guards came out of our escape, blocking the way with their swords.
Finally she sighed, and motioned for us to follow her to the King.
"Very good," he said. "Now, you will follow me--"
"Run!" Alice cried, pushing us out in front of her while she whipped a dagger from her dress and plunged it deep into his chest.
I stopped in the middle of the hallway and turned round. Edward's face was white and he dropped to the floor while the guards stared in shock.
"What are you waiting for?" Alice snapped at them. "Run for a nurse, a doctor!" All of them obeyed hastily.
Jacob's hand was on my arm, but Alice pulled him away. "She'll be safe." They ran on without me.
I sank to Edward's side. Why had I given permission for this? I had been angry. We had both been angry. We were just too proud to say anything.
I had to tell him now. It was my last chance. I accepted that he was dying quickly.
"Edward..."
His eyes fluttered and strained to focus on me. His hand moved, and I grabbed it.
"I love you, Edward."
He smiled...the first true smile I'd seen from him in a year.
"My pocket..." he whispered.
I reached inside a pocket in his robe and pulled out a sealed letter.
"For you..."
Tears threatened. He closed his eyes, and long after I knew he was gone, I sat there on the floor, holding his hand.
But soon I had to stand up and dry my eyes. It was time to be a queen again. I had to be strong. I tucked the letter in my dress and went to join my sister and my betrothed.
 LadyAlisyn · Thu Aug 06, 2009 @ 10:52pm · 0 Comments |
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