Everyone was dead.
My legs vigorously thumped against the deserted streets, under the silvery full moon. The black cloak, bearing the insignia of a family that no longer existed, save for myself, fluttered behind me. I took a sharp turn in front of the stone carver's shop and came to a halt. Ragged breaths torn through my chest as I looked around and then dipped under the canvas walls.
The buttery candle illuminated its surroundings. My eyes adjusted to the sudden light and I found myself standing two feet from Alaina. Her soft hair fell over her forehead and those deep set eyebrows were pinched with concern.
My heart trembled and, as if with a mind of their own, my feet rushed me towards her. I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her as close as possible. I snuggled my head closer to her chest and inhaled.
"I am sorry", her pained voice, understanding without me having to say something, reached me along with her hands on my lower back, gripping me close. An emotion vaguely resembling home swept me under and the tears I had swore to not let fall, betrayed me.
Violent tremors shook my body as my heart squeezed painfully. It was all my fault. My mistakes that led them to this fate. Never again will I hear my mother laughing on the silliest of things, nor will I wake up to one of my father's annoying songs. They were all gone. Forever.
I could do nothing but see them die. Murdered due to my foolishness. All there was left was to cry and hope that it had been me instead, that it had been me who the carvers had set on fire.
I was gripped by a profound pain, its hot iron rod brandishing me. I detangled myself from Alaina and my hands reached up to my my chest, above my heart.
"It hurts", I choked out.
Her eyes, the color of a dark night sky, pulled me into its illusion of anonymity, to a place where I could forget myself, my dead parents, and just exist. She caressed my face, her fingers brushing away my tears.
"What can I do to make it better?", she asked, her voice soft and comforting and desperate. I looked up at her. At her smooth caramel skin, her rosy lips, her sharp jawline and her beautiful eyelashes.
"Make me forget", a watery plea.
Her gorgeous eyes widened. Her hand fell away from my face.
"You will regret it later", she said, not that convincing but with resolve.
"I won't". I won't be alive to regret it. And even if I was, I'd have deserved to be miserable.
She said nothing but her conflicted gaze rested on mine.
"Consider it my last request. Befo-", my voice cracked, "Before they kill me too."
"Never say that again", her eyes blazed and she gripped my arms, "You will not die. I cannot let you die."
Our gazes locked, a clash of thunder and flame.
I moved towards her, till we stood toe to toe. I could feel her warm breath tickling my lips, the movement of her breasts against me. Her features seized in conflict.
I knew she was not going to do anything.
So, I angled my head upwards. Her eyes dipped to my lips as her grip on my arms tightened.
"Just tonight" I whispered.
She took a deep breath and her hand moved up to the soft curve of my neck. Her thumb stroke the corner of my lips.
My veins thrummed with lighting. Finally, she said, "You are hurting right now. And I will never forgive myself if I took advantage of your vulnerability."
She continued, "Your family is dead. And it is not your fault. We are going to allow ourselves to grieve tonight. And tomorrow. Tomorrow, when the sunlight illuminates the kingdom, so will the time for its destruction start."
My heart burns again, now with vengeance. I look into her eyes and whatever she sees makes her lips take a vindictive curve."We will make sure of it. Together."
