The Heart of Alexander

Chapter Six- Day of Doom

I had awoken that morning with high hopes of Kiro coming to me. Saving me in such a way that only happened in fantasy. I was just a silly girl to believe such things would happen. Life was no fairytale even if I wished it to be that way. Fairytales were only twisted stories in replace the horrors on the truth. Today would be one of those horrors. The day I would be married off and sent away forever.

We were to be wed at sunset, and sunset it was. Here I stood, adorned in the finest of gowns, my bodice sparkling like fallen stars. For that was what I was to become. A star that fell from the heavens where the rest of my family twinkled and shined. I had always pictured myself to be handed the title of being the Queen of Bactria, just as those before me. But such a title was no more. I would be a slave-like wife to Toma, the Macedonian.

A knock came to my door, which startled me from my thoughts.

"Enter," I spoke as calmly as possible.

My young Cassandra dropped in, as did Titus. I saw my young sister, dressed in creams of a dress similar to mine. I had almost forgotten that she would be wedded today as well. Tears struck her eyes as she took sight of me, as did I.

"R-Roxana. Please don't leave me...,"

I broke. I broke completely. I ran to her, embracing her small frame against me, her head in the crook of my neck. I inhaled the scent of her, how she always smelled like a patch of lovely flowers. I stroked her luscious locks that I had spent most of my life braiding and un-braiding out of habit.

I thought back to all the senseless things we did together as sisters. The days we would sneak into father's chamber to read old scrolls. The days we would lounge with mother as she scolded us in the ways of being a princess. The moments we would run into father's arms when he came back from his travels, his burly arms embracing us. The nights we would slip into each other's chambers to swap secrets and giggle under our fur blankets. Those were the times I would treasure forever and I would never get back after today.

"I can't change what happens to us after today. But always remember this," I turned to her, placing my hands on each of her rosy cheeks, "No matter what happens, we will always be sisters. Never forget where you came from. And never forget that I'm your sister,"

More tears came to both of our eyes and we held each other a few minutes longer. I heard Titus clear his throat in the corner of my chamber. We pulled apart at that moment and I turned to the loyal boy that Titus had become  over the months. He was growing up to be a fine man, just as Cassandra was to be a fine woman.

"And you. Where will you go now?" I asked.

"I plan to stay here and take of my people. They are still my people," Titus spoke with a small smile.

"I'll miss you," I confessed and took his hands in mine.

"As will I," he said and let go of my hands, "They are waiting for both of you in the common area. Come with me,"

I looked back to my sister as we both slipped our veils over us, covering our faces with lace. Once this veil is lifted, my innocence would be gone, along with Cassandra's. I prayed for the veil to never come off.

I felt my own hand run down my bodice, feeling the dagger I hid beneath its folds alongside father's talisman. If Kiro would not rescue me before my marriage would be consecrated, I would take my life before falling into the hands of the Macedonian.

In the hallway was Theti and Ilina awaited to take us down. Titus would leave us now, and I gave him a sad smile, knowing it would be the last I see of Titus. I moved forward, my lip quivering and my legs shaking beneath the gown.