A Queen's Redemption

Chapter 17- Sacrificial Pain

*Amir's POV*

I hesitated knocking on her door before taking a deep breath.

After getting into a fist fight with Qasim and Issa and then getting smacked again from my sister, all agreeing and telling me that I was nothing but a royal asshole, I found myself here. I didn't know what I was going to tell her...I just needed to make things right. I needed to fix this. I knew it was going to be a work in progress because no amount of apologies could take back the harsh and untrue things I told her. But I damn sure was gonna try. No matter how hard it was or how long it took. I'm gonna.

I knocked and waited. I heard the sounds of her feet before she opened the door. She stared at me for a minute before she invited me in. I entered and immediately felt that the vibe was off. Especially after seeing her mum and Lillia asleep on the couch and their food untouched on the table. I opened my mouth to ask but she told me to follow her into her room. She had me sit on the bed and we stared at each other for a couple moments. I looked her over and the guilt washed over me all over again at how defeated and lost she looked. Her eyes were red like she had just finished crying.

"Serene I..." she raised her hand to silence me while giving me a gentle smile.

"Stop. Let me go first." She walked forward until she was right in front of me. "I'm not going to lie, and say that what you told me didn't hurt. It did. Horribly." I lowered my eyes from hers. She grasped my chin and forced my head back up. "But, I couldn't bring myself to be mad or hate you. I understood your pain, and your anger, and who it was really directed towards. Doesn't give you the excuse though. There's no way...that I could ever hate you."

I saw tears start building in her eyes. "That being said, they're so many people...that I care for here. They're so many people I want to protect."

I furrowed my eyebrows. Why's she telling me this?

"I want everyone I love...to be okay.."

"But we are okay, what are you tal..."

~~~~~~

*Serene's POV*

My body just moved as I kissed him, one that we've both been yearning for the past year, cutting him off mid sentence. He froze in surprise so it took him a second, but eventually he melted into the kiss and wrapped his arms around my waist. I knew he felt the urgency and longing in it as he grabbed my tighter. I gently pulled away and held his face in my hands.

"Amir, remember this: Whatever I do is on my plate. I will never let you...or anyone else be responsible, or feel guilty for my actions or lack thereof." tears were streaming down my face as I forced myself to continue to be strong in front of him. "I've fallen in love with you, Amir Crois. My life belongs to you- you, Rhaan...and Jahid. Please, don't ever forget that." I all but pleaded, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Serene." he said seriously. "What. Happened?"

I shook my head and sniffed as I held him tighter while running my hand through his hair. Trying to bask in this for as long as I can. I released him then looked him in the eye as I said,

"BEWEGUNGSLOS UND SPRACHLOS."

His eyes widened as he began to realise what was going on. But it was too late, the spell had already begun working. It was a spell that rendered the person it was used on, motionless and speechless for about an hour. Which was more than enough time that I needed.

"Serene! What...!" he asked wide eyed before his speech went as well. I gently held his face in my palm as I smiled through my tears. I leaned forward to place a kiss on his forehead before I whispered one more thing to him...