The Prince and the Thief

Chapter Fifteen

I was pacing the length of my bed. I was really worried about what Vic meant. I began chewing on my bottom lip. Now was the part I hated. I had to wait until the night time to sneak down into the prison to release them. I sat down on my bed when the door squeaked open. I looked up at the guard coming through with my father behind him.

"Tell me what you're thinking." He demanded.

"It's not right. They never did anything to us!" My dad scowled at me.

"Execution is tomorrow. Don't be late."

"Please just kill me too." I let my face fall in my hands. "I can't live without Vic." The door shut loudly and I couldn't stop the sob that came past my lips. If I couldn't get to them tonight, they would be dead. If that happened....I don't know what I would do. My father even has my mom locked up somewhere. I felt like I didn't want to live. In fact, after I get all the gypsies out of the dungeon, I'll take my life. I know I'll never be able to run from my father.

I snuck out of my room once the torches were put out. My hand was dragging against the wall so I knew where I was going. I found the door to the prisons and began walking down the stairs. It was so dark I could barely see my own hand in front of my face. I heard a clink against the wall next to me. I rolled my eyes. They don't keep the keys very locked up. I opened the door.

"Vic?" I heard a clank.

"Kellin? Where are you? Hold on." I saw a spark go near a torch before it was lit. Vic was the only person locked in a cell. The others were chained to the wall. I knelt down next to one of the gypsies and shook her shoulder. Rankè looked up at me.

"I'm sorry I was so mean to you. I was wrong about who you are." I unlocked her foot.

"It doesn't matter now." I took the key I used on her and gave it to her. "I'm getting everyone out of here." She grabbed my hands.

"Bless you." I ran to Vic's cell and began unlocking the door. As soon as he was free, he pressed his lips to mine. I slowly wrapped my arms around his neck. I pulled away reluctantly. I still had my eyes closed.

"We have to go Vic." He pecked my lips and I had to push him away. "My father is going to have you executed tomorrow. I have to get you guys out." I looked back at the others and they had their eyebrows raised. I think they were stuck on the fact that Vic and I were just kissing. Rankè handed me the key I gave her with a small smile.

"Then let's go." Vic slipped his hand into mine.

"No." I took my hand back. "You go." He shook his head.

"I'm not going without you Kellin. You're my first love.....my first lover."

"But I thought-" I was interrupted by Rankè.

"You had sex with him! That's forbidden until marriage."

"Shut the hell up Rankè." Vic brought me closer. "Come with me. Come with us." I bit my lip.

"I can't. My dad won't give up on finding me." He grabbed both of my hands.

"I can keep you safe."

"No." My voice cracked. "I want you to take my mom and everyone somewhere safe." His face became blank.

"Fine. Let's go." I watch all the gypsies walk out of the prison. I walk slowly back to my room with a numb feeling in my heart. In the morning my father is going to find all the gypsies gone and then he'll come up to take out his anger on me. But he won't be able to. I'll be dead by my own hand.

I locked my door behind me. How was I suppose to do this? The only ways that were possible were really painful. Especially with only the things I had in my room. I only had a knife. I guess I could just.....I took a nervous breath. I was talking about killing myself. I walked over to my desk and picked up the knife with my shaky hands. I sat down on my bed. The sleek silver blade had tiny swirls carved into the handle. I pricked my finger of the tip causing a bead of blood to form. It was sharp. I was breathing quickly. I closed my eyes, holding the knife right above my heart.

"You have a wonderful body. It would be a shame for you to put a scar on it." I opened my eyes when Vic took the blade out of my hands.

"You're not suppose to be here."

"I can't leave without you. I'm in love with you." He sat on the bed next to me and brought me a little closer. "You were going to kill yourself?"

"I can't go with you and I can't go without you." I opted for a change of subject. "Why didn't you tell me that you've never been with anyone?" He brushed his hand across my cheek.

"Because it wasn't important. I love you. And I always want to be able to show you." He shifted forward to pull me into a kiss. He slowly lowered me onto the bed. I pushed his chest back to be able to look at him.

"Vic I don't think this is a good idea."

"Then leave with me." He begged.

"I can't." He closed his eyes. I framed his face with my hands. "Stay with me. Just for a little bit. You can't fall asleep though."

"I won't. I love you cariño."

"I love you too."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Kellin!" I shot up in my bed when my dad began banging on the door. I glanced over at Vic who had just woke up too. "Open the damn door!" I pushed Vic out of the bed. I felt the pain in my back as I jumped up.

"I told you not to fall asleep." I tried to keep my voice quiet. We both started pulling on our clothes. Once we were both dressed, I shoved Vic towards my window.

"I can't leave you with him."

"Knowing my dad, I won't be stuck with him." The banging became louder like he was using something to break down the door.

"I'm not leaving you." I put my hand on the back of his neck and pressed our lips together. I felt a tear drag down across my cheek.

"I love you Vic." He wiped my tear away. I shoved him away as the door was broke open. My father stormed up to me and smacked me across the face. I fell to the ground with a small grunt.

"You let them go!"

"I'm sorry." He grabbed the collar of my shirt. I used my arms to cover my face.

"I'm going to kill you." I flinched away as he held his fist above me.

"You're not going to fucking touch him." Vic punched my dad across the face. He helped up from the ground. He grabbed my dagger from where it was discarded last night and went towards my dad. My father easily knocked the dagger out of Vic's hand and it skidded in front of me. I watched helplessly as my dad pinned Vic to the wall up his throat. I did what I had to. I grabbed the dagger and shoved it in my father's back causing him to release Vic. He crumpled to the ground.

"Kellin?" I heard Vic's voice as I was staring at my bloody hands. I looked past my hands to look at my dad's dead body. My breathing was the loudest thing ringing through my ears. I heard Vic's voice but it was very faint. He turned my face to look at him. "Kellin. Are you okay?" Suddenly everything became normal again.

"You have to return my mom and then you have to leave. You can't be seen here. They'll blame it on you." I brushed his hair away from his face. "I'm going to take the blame. Now run." He kissed me lightly.

"Kell-"

"Run!" I shoved him roughly. He opened his mouth to respond but I shoved him again. "Run! Leave!" He went toward the window and dangled his feet. He glanced back at me.

"Goodbye Kellin." I broke down as soon as he jumped. I didn't want him to leave. But he had to. I had to deal with this by myself and hope that Vic and everyone was safer now.