Two Of The Same Piece || Book 1 (The Beginning)

CHAPTER 45

Rave pressed her forehead against Aurilean's. "Come to Bellayong and finally marry me, you bastard."

Aurilean chuckled as he pulled away. He had her engagement ring on a chain around his neck. "You want your ring back, yes?"

"Of course, I do." He pulled it off and sipped it around her neck. "It looks better on you anyway." He said.

Rave's expression softened. "I'll wait for you. Don't take too long. Please."

"I wouldn't dare." He walked her to the palanquin. Leo was already inside, sitting with Hanara. Leo talked with Ragnor through the window of the lavishly decorated palanquin. A 'gracious gift' from Josephine. It was one of the many treasures of Thinlin, as it was decorated with gold leaf and semi-precious gems.

Taiskin was the one who helped her up. "Go on and plan my wedding, sister. I hear celebrations have started already."

"Always thinking of yourself."

"Be careful, still," Taiskin said.

"Our entourage is led by Prim and Irene, and we are guarded by five hundred soldiers. We will be fine." Hanara said. "May the gods bless us all."

--

Leo rested his head on Hanara's shoulder. He didn't feel anything. He felt as though he was detached from his own body. He hated how everyone looked at him with some much concern. Rave kept glancing at him, her eyes unreadable to him. She wanted to say something. But she was holding herself back.

He couldn't look at her hand. Every time he saw her white bandaged hand, he wanted to hit himself. He had failed the one task he was meant to do. He merely existed to protect Rave, and he had failed at it gloriously.

"Leo?" Hanara's voice lured him out of his mind, "You look pale. Do we need to stop?"

"Leo?" Rave reached for his hand slowly. "What's wrong?"

"You shouldn't touch me." He said quietly. "That should be my punishment."

"What punishment?" Rave shook her head, "Leo, you suffered too. You suffered just as much as I did. You don't deserve any punishment."

"I failed as your protector. As your Raib, I don't deserve to touch you. I don't deserve the privilege of your comfort." He pulled away from her.

"Leo- please." Hanara turned to him.

"No!" He moved back. "I was defiled! I don't deserve to be Rave's Raib."

Rave winced as she got closer to him. "Stop this madness, Leo."

"No, Rave. Everyone has seen how I've failed. I don't deserve anything." Leo pulled his knees to his chest.

The palanquin stopped. Leo panted as Irene peaked in. "Is everything alright?"

"How far along are we?" Rave asked her.

Irene looked taken aback. "We are near the end of the Oliboxen."

"Take a break," Rave commanded. "Hana, please, let me talk to Leo. Alone."

Hanara looked like she wanted to protest. "Rave- are you sure?"

"Yes, priestess. Help Princess Irene." Rave kept her eyes on Leo. "That's a command." She added quietly.

Leo wanted his princess. Despite Irene and Prim leading the party, Rave was still the highest rank in the entourage. She held her words until Hanara begrudgingly left the palanquin.

"I don't deserve this honor." He whispered.

"You may think so, Leo. But I will not let you out of my serve." Rave said. "I don't care what you think you deserve. You will stay by my side. As you've promised me, time and time again."

"I promised to protect you." He reminded her, "And I failed."

"Am I not alive and breathing, Leo?" She asked him. "Am I not here with you?"

"You survived entirely on your own. While I was being treated properly." He hated the words coming out of his mouth.

"Leo! Stop it. I will never blame you for anything. And you went through something much worse than I did." She looked away. "I was your princess. I should have been better at protecting you."

"That's not your duty, Rave."

"It is! And it will always be." Rave took his hand in hers. "I, as your Raib, your princess, and your sovereign, command you to remain in my service, as my Raib. You will be Raib, my companion and my confidant. You are commanded to be so until the day death separates us."