Forget Me Not

XVI

~Over half a year ago~

I pulled my hooded cape tighter around me as I ran through the old cobblestone and dirt streets, fleeing the light fall of rain that was creating puddles along my path, just waiting for me to tragically put my foot in. It was a poor night to go out, especially to meet someone, but since when did anything stop us? I made sure to keep my head down and my hood held out to cover my face. If any others were out this dreary night, they wouldn't question it, only thinking I was shielding myself from the rain.

I squinted through the rain and caught site of my destination, up ahead of me a little ways. It was a small house, but it looked more like a slightly large shack now, as many of the other rooms of the house had long collapsed from lack of maintenance and upkeep. The flora however, was flourishing, pushing against the old house as if trying to devour it.

I could just barely make out a wavering light from inside. I quickly dashed up to the dilapidated building, and pushed open the door. There a boy stood with a small lantern by his feet.

"Hello," The boy said, cheerfully, raising my hand to his mouth and pressing his cold lips to it, causing a giggle to escape my lips. His skin was cold from a longer trip through the rain than I, but I didn't remove my hand from his.

"You're such a charmer," I laughed.

"I save it only for you," He replied back with a wide smile, bringing a hand up to unclip my drenched cape.

"You're soaking wet. I really wish you would have agreed to postpone, it's not worth you getting sick." he said with a sigh as the cape fell around my feet.

"And have to wait even longer to see you in private? How would I have survived?" I teased, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

"Is that all I get?" He grinned. "As Prince of Qleph, next in line for the throne, I demand that you kiss me."

"Oh?" I laughed, raising my eyebrows. I hit him on the arm playfully. "Well, your highness, I have already given you a kiss."

His soft hands gripped me tight, bringing me in closer to him. Unable to resist, I threaded a few of my fingers through his curly brown hair. It was always so unbelievably soft. Maybe it was because the royal family was also unbelievably wealthy.

That was because they are taking almost everything from the townspeople. They taxed them until some of them died of starvation. Like my parents had. And like many more would keep doing until someone put a stop to it.

Cyrus was not like his father. He was going to change things for the better, no matter what it took. He and I had a plan. We just needed the perfect moment.

"You know exactly what I mean, Alyce Dare." He whispered into my ear, his hot breath and flirtatious tone in his voice sending sweet shivers through me. We met in the middle, our lips connecting in a gentle and long kiss. He finally pulled away and brushed the back of his fingers against my cheek, a look of softness in his green eyes. "My strong, beautiful warrior..."

Abruptly, almost scaring me, Cyrus flipped up his hood, casting his face into shadow. He was heading in the direction of an open window before I could even blink, graceful and quick in his movements. I spun around to face the door and saw Gil there, staring back. A shocked and confused look was in his eyes. He must have followed me.

"Alyce?" He inquired.

"Gil?" I answered back.

When the shock wore off, Gil's head turned to the mysterious boy that had just fled through the window, and he attempted to chase after him. I took a step forward, reaching out to stop him.

"Gil, please," I pleaded. Gil looked outside and then back at me, deciding. But then I felt his body relax under my grip.

"Please don't be mad?" I said quietly, barely a whisper. He put a hand over my hand that was still holding his arm.

"I'm not mad..." he breathed. I believed him. He didn't sound angry he... sounded sad.

"Gil, I—" I started, but what could I say? I couldn't tell him the truth, as much as I wanted to. It was safer that he didn't know.

"Let's go home," Gil said, bending down to pick up my cape and handing it to me. I didn't argue and put it on in silence, my heart heavy. I followed him silently out into the rain, falling even heavier now, staring back sadly at where Cyrus had faded into the night.