Short Stories

Our Place

Based on the prompt in the image | 914 Words | No TWs

"Your place is on the throne."

"No, my place is by your side."

I stare at Dimiraa, my eyes brimming with tears. I can't help but think she looks gorgeous today, as she does every day. A gown of yellow fabric drapes itself gracefully around her body, a pretty contrast to her dark skin. Matching golden jewelry adorns her forehead and bare arms. More than anything, I long to forget about the pain I feel and get lost in those stunning black eyes of hers. I take a deep breath to steady my nerves. "Dimiraa, please don't do this. Don't make it harder."

"Harder?!" she exclaims, sounding nearly furious with me, "Mae, this is already more difficult than getting Father to let me leave this blasted castle for more than a minute! What could possibly make it harder, my love?"

Tears start to silently roll down my cheeks, and I look down at the marble floor of the throne room to avoid Dimiraa's eyes. "Please don't call me that." My voice is hardly above a whisper. "Please. Please, this is already so hard." She comes to my side now, tentatively reaching for my hand. I let her take it. I feel weak.

"If it's so hard, then what's the point? Darling, you're speaking like it's already over!"

"Because it is! It must be, we have no choice!"

"So, what, we just throw everything away now? All those nights spent together, are we meant to forget them? We can't- I won't!" She sounds angrier than before, if possible. My Dimiraa, always a fighter. I let a tiny, sad smile take over my lips as she speaks. I'm confident half the castle staff can hear her- I will surely be interrogated when I return to the guards' lodging tonight.

When I don't respond, Dimiraa speaks again. "Maerin, please look at me, my love." I do not move, so she lifts her free hand and, ever so gently, places two fingers under my chin. She doesn't force me to look up, more so pleads for me to with a slight pressure to my jaw. She speaks again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please?" I give in and meet her gaze.

It nearly breaks my heart. Her anger has dissolved and now she just looks helpless, sad. It feels terrible to know I've placed that sadness in her heart. I wish I could take back every word and tuck us into bed to sleep the rest of the afternoon away together. Mingling with the sadness, there's longing. Longing for me, for us. It shocks me to my core, to think that such a beauty could find so much affection for a simple guard like myself.

"Maerin, I don't care about what anyone thinks about us. I love you. I- "

I cut her off, "Why? How could you love me? You're so grand and gorgeous and the kindest person I've ever met and you weave your words in the most beautiful way and you smell like spring and cherries and I'm...I'm nobody." The tears fall faster now, and I wonder to myself if I have ever felt such pain before. I think a thousand sword wounds would be easier to bear.

"Oh, Mae. My beautiful, lovely, Mae. How could you think that way of yourself?" Dimiraa moves her hand from my chin to hold my face. She brushes her index finger over the scar on my cheekbone, gently, lovingly. The gesture is so tender and familiar I feel I could just melt and become nothing more than a stain on the throne room floor. "I love you because you're you. You are the most caring person in the kingdom. You have never once let me down. Your promises are as good as gold and you always know what to say to make me feel better. When we first kissed, I felt as though everything was correct. I knew in my heart that I was meant to be with you. I believe we must be soulmates, dear Maerin, because no one has ever made me feel like this. I don't think I could go on without you now that I know what it's like to be with you."

"Do you mean it?"

"Of course, I mean it, my love." Dimiraa grips my hand tighter, as if that will stop what is going to happen. What should happen. She deserves better than some lowly guard. But her words are reassuring, and I feel my resolve beginning to break down with every syllable.

My eyes drop to the golden chain at her throat. I simply can't look into her hurt-filled eyes any longer. She takes a deep, shaky breath before speaking, "Maerin, my love, I'm begging you to stay. We can get through this together. No matter what the people think, no matter what my father thinks, we can be together if you just stay with me."

I breathe for a few seconds, letting this moment, and every other moment I have spent with Dimiraa these last six months, wash over me. When I have finally collected my thoughts, I'm sure of my answer. "Okay," I say as I lean my forehead against hers. I came in here determined to end things, but I can't. I don't want to be without her.

"Okay?" Dimiraa sounds overjoyed but keeps her voice quiet.

I nuzzle against her and pull her a little closer, realizing that she never let go of my hand. "Yes, okay."

Please consider voting and/or following if you enjoyed! <3