Bloody Roses

Bonus Chapter 20: Paradise (Opal Chapter!)

The day she died..

It was the worst day of my life.

I remember it all.

I wore a ragged, black shawl.

I watched silently in the crowd.

I watched her speak her very last words.

"Goodbye, my precious little gem.." She spoke.

I couldn't breathe.

The love of my life was about to be whisked away into her paradise without me.

There was simply nothing I could do.

I fell to my knees in a breathless gasp, crying her name.

"AURA!" I cried.

Cheers burst out from the crown as their cruel leader was gone.

I was the only one crying.

That afternoon, I visited the execution room once it was empty, and kneeled down among the bloodstained murder device.

Her roses littered the floor around the device.

Shaking, I had picked one up with carefulness, tears welling in my eyes.

I was the queen now, apparently.

Since I hadn't done anything such as Aura had, there was no right to take me as well.

I wish they had found a right.

I smoothed out the petals, only to accidentally touch a bloodstain.

Tears formed in my eyes, dripping down my cheeks.

Aura had wanted me to come with her.

I made a promise to her.

But what could I do?

The kingdom would be left with no leader.

Who would rule the kingdom of Thorne?

What would Aura do in this situation?

I looked down at my golden, silk dress and sighed.

Would she have cared about who led the kingdom?

I stood, only to find Prince Gabriel standing right behind me, holding a familiar necklace.

An opal necklace.

The one Aura had stolen for me at the festival.

A gasp escaped from my lips, and I fell to my knees, holding the necklace in my hands.

"You really do love her, huh?.." The prince asked.

I looked up at him and nodded, a waterfall of tears wetting my face.

He looked around, and pulled out his sword.

"..Then it's time you join her paradise." He whispered silently, avoiding my eyes.

I looked up as he lifted his sword and..

..SHINK.

I left into a magical place filled with torture and pain.

Where am I? I thought.

I looked around until I saw Aura smiling at me.

This was it.

This was her paradise.

And I had joined her..

..In her eternal quest.