Way of The Pride

7| The Memories

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''Aniweta, stop!'' She whined, her melodious giggle filling my heart with inexplicable warmth. I buried my head against the delicate curve of her neck, my mouth leaving a trail of kisses at her sensitive spot in hopes of getting the same reaction out of her.

I was not disappointed.

''Ani!'' This time her precious hands climbed over my shoulders, their soft pads rising to wrap themselves around my neck - a silent urge for me to continue despite her protests.

''Yes, my love.'' I could not help but chuckle at her antics. My mouth slowly moved up with feverish desperation, eager to have a taste of the sweetness that was her lips.

Just as I grazed the corners of her lips, she coyly turned her head to the side. Eyes full of mirth gazed up at me and my heart leapt up at the beautiful sight.

She rolled us over on the ground until her body hovered above mine, the braids of her hair tumbling down to gently caress my cheek.

''Promise me something, Ani.''

''Name it.'' At that moment I would have laid the world at her feet if she had asked it of me. I would give anything if it ensured her eternal happiness.

''Always be by my side. It is all I desire from this world.'' She whispered shyly. Her smooth hands began to draw patterns on my chest moving down to my ribs.

I placed her palm above my beating chest. ''For as long as my heart beats in your presence, you shall always have me, my love. I will never be parted from you. Only death would separate me from your arms.''

She smiled that heart-warming smile that took my breath away the first time we met. I was only too happy that it still did.

A content sigh left her lips as she gazed down at me with unparalleled affection, her nose lowering down to lovingly rub against mine. Her womanly scent surrounded me, my nose greedily inhaling until I was swept up in a fiery haze. I was consumed with a primal need.

A need to have her.

Just as my head tilted to steal a kiss the scene changed to that dreaded moment I longed to escape.

Against the punishment pole he stood, mouth gagged and legs bound. His worth reduced to nothing but a disgraced and condemned criminal of the land.

Which Aniweta most certainly was not.

Straining against the pole proved futile, the bindings so tight for even the swiftest of hands. Crazed eyes searched the crowd in desperation, with the hope of a defender coming to his aid, only to be met with looks of righteous indignation.

Sadly, his innocence mattered not before the eyes of all.

Except the ones the who mattered.

His eyes sought her out, eager to gaze upon the one who stole his heart. Restlessly they wandered, seeking and searching for that familiar face that captured his soul. His heart skipped a beat when his gaze landed upon her and then crumbled so cruelly as he saw her in the arms of another, face aglow with happiness.

In the hands of the one who made him into a traitor.

His beloved had broken her promise.