Picking Petals:

Chapter 4: Dead of Night

I stood outside, soaking in the few moments of peace I would have tonight. I looked up at the starless sky, everything black and dead beyond the kingdom. I could barely even see the blood filled moon, it was so small, like a star but brighter. "You look beautiful." I turned slowly already knowing the voice.

"Berella loaned me a dress."

Gregory leaned against the balcony entrance, glaring at me. It was a look I had grown fond of, a look that would have had me caving right into his arms. He had a way of making me unravel at the seams. Maybe it's just the magic of the night but I could feel the pain and hatred I held for him slip away just enough for him to slither through the cracks. Gregory looked undoubtedly handsome tonight, he wore a simple black shirt tucked into his dress pants under a gray tunic. His buzzed cut and freshly shaven beard made him look more youthful. "You never usually go to these type of events."

"They are a waste of money," I said, clutching my satin cloak to my chest. "I came for Berella."

Gregory closed the distance between us, "I know you can't really hate me."

I refused to look him in the eyes, I turned my back to him and watched the night engulf us. "How could you possibly know how I feel?" I wondered, shaking my head in annoyance.

"You can't hate someone you love."

I turned to face Gregory, "I am actually great at doing both." I hated to love him and I loved to hate him, see why this relationship would and could never work?

"Still means there's hope." It was hard for me to take a step back and realize I wasn't the only one hurting. Painting him as the villain was the only logical solution to my pain.

I gulped hard, he was so close, he smelled amazing and I just wanted to fold, "We're not right for each other."

Gregory shook his head slightly, "You don't know that." I didn't push him away, I let his face hover over mine. He was careful giving me a chance to pull away but when I didn't and his lips closed over mine. They were just as soft as I remembered them. He cupped my face in his and broke off the kiss almost as soon as it had started, leaving me breathless and dizzy.

"I have to go, but I want you to know I love you Nadia. Forever and always, day and night. You are the only one for me."

I looked into Gregorys eyes but I couldn't say anything. Now more than ever I was completely confused as he walked away. I touched my lips, playing the kiss over and over in my head. I knew deep down I could never forgive him, it wasn't in me. Letting him in again would only hurt both of us.

My eyes caught a tall figure running towards the iron walls that protected Court from the woods. At this time of night, no one should be out there. I couldn't see who or what it was but my instincts crept in. I started running as fast as I could towards the edge of the court. I watched the figure climb the wall and jump over it. It took me a second to climb the wall as I wasn't tall by any means. When I got over the iron wall that in fact burned at my hands, I jumped down and scanned the woods frantically, my knife in hand.

This person was either crazy or possessed by a demon, everyone knew the woods were a death wish after the sun sets. My heart pounded in my ears but I let my years of training take over and a rush of adrenaline consumed me. I followed close behind them but made sure to hide behind whatever I could so I wouldn't be seen. My wings began to quiver and I knew a demon was close. On cue, I heard a loud yell and I followed the sound immediately, thorns ripping at my dress. I stopped in my tracks and bumped into the tall figure. I looked up ready to attack but I gasped, "You?" There was no time for a response.

A demon stood about 12 feet away from us. His arms dragging to the floor, its mouth drooling. It was ready to kill us both. "Stay back," he told me. "I've got this."

I looked up at him like he was insane, "You are the prince, you back up," I said shoving him aside with ease. The demon came running towards us, screeching. The prince raised his sword but the demon simply swatted him and he went flying into a tree, I tried to warn the poor man. I closed my eyes searching for my fire, I lunged at the demon with my sword jabbing him in the side, and he staggered backward. I pointed my dagger towards the beast and summoned a raging fire that ran through my body, into my sword, and lashed out, piercing the demon in the heart. I tried to take flight but the demon's long claws gashed me in the stomach before he fell to the ground, burning from the inside out.

I dropped to the ground holding my stomach, searing pain coursing through me. My hands were hot and sticky from the blood that spilled out in a steady stream. I was going to bleed out.

"No!" The prince screamed rushing to my side, "You'll be okay," he muttered picking me up in his arms, he started to run. My vision went in and out every time I tried to move my stomach felt like it would tear in two. I have had many battle wounds but this was by far the worst. The prince started screaming for help as he ran to the gate, cradling me in his warm embrace. Gate patrol rushed over immediately. The last thing I saw was the princess's deep violet eyes, a beautiful alluring mist. He was saying something but my hearing was muffled.

If I died from this wound, I'm then gone forever, the venom that the demon leaked into my body will erase me from this world, no rebirth, no more chances.