A Dance of Knives and Flowers (Jacob Frye X OC)

Ending 1 (sad)

Alt ending 1

Grace turned and saw Jacob bearing down on her like an eagle to a helpless rabbit. The pistol was still in her grasp, she need only raise her arm once more and stop him, end him like she should and return home to fulfil her destiny. But she couldn't, her heart belonged to him, he had stolen it, and now he would do the same with her life.

Evie watched her brother slam down onto his target and how her body went slack with the impact, no resistance, it was as if she had accepted her fate. The gun fell from Grace's hand as the force of Jacob's body on hers sent them both crashing into the ground, the muddy earth splashing and squelching beneath them. The assassin drove his blade deep, cutting easily through the layers of fabric, its sharp point pierced the woman's soft skin, and the cold metal continued, sliding through flesh and muscle and sinew. Grace cried out as this newer, sharper pain joined that of her ribs, and the world around the pair fractled into white.

As Evie's words reverberated through him, Jacob felt as if it were his own heart he had just stabbed, and as regret filled him, sorrow and grief consumed him. Jacob withdrew his blade and climbed off, taking her in his arms he knelt, cradling the woman he had come to love. Grace's weary, turquoise eyes looked up into the red rimmed, glassy and brown that she loved so dearly.

"Grace..."

Jacob's voice was broken and barely audible.

"I'm so sorry."

She smiled weakly.

"I don't blame you for this."

The male assassin's heart pained and he brushed off the dirty, wet, rose gold locks that had stuck to her face, his hand lingered and he stroked her freezing cheek, confusion and pain shattering his mind. Grace cupped her hand over his, pressing it against her and savouring its warmth. She was so cold, and numb, yet she could feel him, and he was so warm. Jacob stared into her eyes, the light in them beginning to fade, he shook her a little.

"Come on love, stay with me."

She blinked slowly.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so tired... and cold."

Jacob choked on a sob.

"I love you."

Grace's drowsy eyes returned, and they sparkled with tears that began to form.

"I love you, Jacob."

Without wasting another of the few moments they had left Jacob pulled Grace up and leaned in. Their lips met in a sweet and sorrowful embrace. Grace shifted her hand to hold Jacob's face, afraid he might disappear, even though she knew, she was the one who would vanish.

Jacob pressed his lips desperately against hers, as though he might somehow bring her back from the brink, but this was not a fairy tale, and slowly, he felt her weaken in his arms as the life ebbed from her body. He held her hand against his face when it began to slide, then took it within his own as they parted, her final breath escaping, and when Jacob opened his eyes, hers shut forever.

As if on cue, the heavens opened and the rain came harder than before. Jacob held Grace's lifeless body close, kissing her forehead then pressing his own against it as he gritted his teeth and mourned into the endless night.

Two weeks later...

Henry walked into the first carriage to find Evie in her usual seat staring into a book, not reading, just staring. Her elbow dug lightly into the arm of the chair as her chin rested on its fist, beside her sat a cup of cold, untouched tea. It had been ten days since Grace's funeral, a modest service with the same attendance. A few rooks, Nigel, Agnes of course, but to Evie's surprise Mr Darwin and Mr Topping attended as well. Evie had stood between Henry and Agnes, mourning the loss of her niece from a mugging turned fatal, she couldn't know the truth. When the elder woman asked Evie where her brother was she simply said he didn't like funerals, but it was a lie, and she knew he was there, up in the eaves, hiding his grief, his guilt.

"I've received word from the council in Paris."

The female assassin snapped out of her memories to look at the man she too cared so much for.

"And?"

"It turns out Grace was only a novice, and after successfully returning from her mission she would have been inducted into the brotherhood."

'My god...'

Evie's heart sunk with guilt, she felt responsible for Grace's death. She shouldn't have jumped to conclusions.

"What else?"

Henry looked down and read from the letter.

"Due to the success of the mission, but the unfortunate loss of miss Lithgow at the hands of Templar agents, we, the grand council of Paris have bestowed full assassin status and the honour of martyr to the brotherhood upon the deceased. We will hold a service commemorating her sacrifice to the cause."

Evie nodded.

"Thank you... For not telling them about Jacob."

"Of course. Where is he?"

"Where do you think?"

...

The fresh amethyst of the hyacinths stood out among the various other flowers, some wilting, some dead. The stone slab was entirely covered at one point. Jacob felt a hand on his shoulder, he didn't have to to turn to know who it was, or to know Greenie was waiting by the cemetery gate for them.

"She deserved better than this. Better than me."

"She loved you Jacob."

"And I murdered her."

Evie sighed.

"London still needs us. When your ready, we'll be waiting."

Jacob nodded and his sister headed for the gate. The male assassin knelt down at the grave.

"I'll always love you Grace, I promise."

He lingered for a moment, before slowly rising and leaving the cemetery.

The End