A promise isn't enough

A Promise that I keep

RHYDIAN

"Maddiline Smith will you do me the extraordinary honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?"

When she doesn't answer straight away the ring grows heavy in my hand. I can feel my heart beating faster and faster and it feels as though it is about to beat right out of my chest. Maddy kneels down in front of me and huffs. I feel the tears behind my eyes threatening to spill but I hold them back in the hope she will say yes. She puts hands over mine and closes the box, the tears that I was holding back sprout forward and roll down my face. Seeing this Maddy tilts her head in a sympathetic manner.

"Rhydian"

I shake my head and look at the ground

"No Maddy you don't need to explain I understand"

Now it was her turn to shake her head

"No Rhydian it's not what you think, I don't want to marry you now because of the impending doom approaching, I want this to be a promise, a promise that after this battle with Toren is over both of us will be alive and well."

I throw the ring into the bushes and walk off in the opposite direction with Maddy calling my name in despair. I pretend not to hear her but really her voice punctures my heart.