The loud hit of the morning bell resonated through the kingdom. Waking even the most heavy of sleepers and of course startling awake the two sleeping lovers on the top of the palace.
August couldn't help but let the events of the night before flash through her mind. She had kissed the Princess, well the Princess had technically kissed her and had continued to kiss her. It nearly felt like it wasn't real.
Izzy looked up at August below her, feeling the safety of her arms still wrapped around her small frame. They were both grinning.
"Did last night really happen?" August groggily let her arms stretch out, before bringing them back to her girl.
"Well if were all a dream, would I do this?" Izzy propped herself up and pulled her close for a kiss, making sure to let linger just enough to leave them both wanting more.
"Gods, you really are amazing." She sat up and let her eyes adjust to the light around her.
The sun had broken the horizon and set a bright blow throughout the kingdom. But it had seemed that something had already done the job of waking the citizens below. The king had ordered a mandatory speaking on the front gates of the palace where people were currently gathering.
"What's going on down there?" August asked, as she leaned over the railing slightly to try to see more.
Izzy wandered over behind her to see for herself. Hundreds of Aldham citizens were grouping together in the front courtyard facing the palace. They could hear the low rumble of them speaking below until finally a voice boomed over them all.
"Citizens, thank you for gathering here today. I regretfully have some news that I believe that I must share with you all."
"That's my dad," Izzy said quietly. August reached down and grabbed her free hand as they continued to listen.
"As you may have known, my daughter, your Princess, Isadora has been missing since our journey past the gates just a few days ago." The gasps were heard from below.
"It's absolutely dreadful I know. I had believed that I was the only one able to make it out alive, but some new news has come to me." He paused. "Isadora was able to survive our brutal attack, only to be abducted by one of the attackers. In fact when I sent my most trusted members of our guard out to retrieve her, only one made it back alive."
"And so my greatest fears have been confirmed. Isadora, your princess, has been murdered!" The cries from all sides rose up into the air. Izzy frantically looked at August, confused at what was happening. Just yesterday she had overheard the King speaking about her and he knew that she was alive.
Kind Edwards continued, "And for the worst part. Her attacker, her murderer," he emphasized, "was none other than the one creature we had tried so very hard to extinguish from our land. She was killed by a rhyle, and I know that it's hard to believe but I've seen them with my own eyes. They have risen up in the forest. Plotting against and killing everyone they can get there hands on, including my own daughter."
Izzy could hear his voice waver slightly. Whatever show he was attempting to put on, the people he spoke to were buying it. She could hear the uproar beginning below.
"So it appears that I have no choice," his voice began once more, "I have been struggling with this decision for a while now and it seems I must to what is best for my people. And so we will officially be terminating all access in and out of Aldham. The bridge will be coming down indefinitely and no one will be able to enter these walls. It is the only way I can guarantee your safety as well as my remaining family. No one else will fall to the hands of the monsters outside, I will be sure of that!"
The crowd began to roar. August felt her heart begin to race in her chest. Not only were they about to tear down the bridge back to her home, but the moment someone found out she was here they were going to kill her. Her hands began to shake in fear, she didn't know what to do.
A soft hand found hers, steadying it. "Hey, look at me." Izzy pushed some of Augusts curly red hair behind her ear before grabbing her other hand. "You're going to be okay."
"You don't know that, Iz." She shook her head, beginning to turn away.
"Hey," Izzy called. "Do you see that world out there?" She motioned towards the forest far past the wall and the bridge. "Out there you kept me safe. You saved my life more times than I could count. But in here? Now it's my turn. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." The princess wasn't sure if the words were more for August or herself. She couldn't lose this person she just met and she would die if it meant August could live.
"August, do you trust me?" She finally whispered.
She studied the princess for a moment; of course, she trusted her. But she was far too scared to reply in any other way then reaching out and pulling into a kiss.
After a moment they broke apart. "Okay, good." Izzy said, beginning to back towards the door back into the palace. "Now let's get going. If he is being serious then we don't have much time and there's something we have to see. Or should I say someone."
The princess lifted the heavy door and stepped down onto the staircase.
"Where are we going?" August asked.
Izzy took a deep breath, looking unsure about her next words. "I think it's time we go and see my mother." And with that she disappeared below the floor.
