Chapter 6: Betrayed
1836 Words
~Aquila~
Startled, I jolted backwards, staring at me. “Ki—kiss me?” I pointed to myself, incredulous.
His cheeks turned as red as mine, nodding up and down. “I’ve always wanted to…” his voice trailed off under my stare.
The air was tense. I took a deep breath. “Me too,” blurting out my response, much to his and my astonishment.
“I’ve never done this before. Don’t be offended,” he breathed out.
Our fingers interlaced. We drew closer, and under the gaze of the moon, his lips fell towards mine.
It was nothing like Damon’s raging tornado-like kiss, sweeping everything away. It was full of heartbeats.
We were too embarrassed to take it further than a touch like the fluttering of a butterflies wings despite the deep longing that burned inside me.
My face beet red exposed it, same as his.
It was his first kiss but it wasn’t mine.
After that night, things changed. I began to wonder, what would it be like if it was only the both of us? No Damon, no Mira, just the two of us.
And perhaps he was wondering about it too.
We might have never said it, but it showed when his hands gripped my waist, pulling me under him, his eyes dark with something I’ve never been able to decipher.
When he leaned down to claim my lips, it wasn’t the butterfly kisses but stronger.
When we pulled apart, his lips a delicious shade of red open.
He asked in a firm tone, "Aquila, say you love me."
"I want to hear it," he gasped in a hoarse voice beside my ears, his hot breath brushing my sensitive earlobes. I shivered.
But still complied with a smile, "I love you, Ronan."
"Say it again," he commanded.
"I love you, Ronan."
That night he made me repeat it over and over again until I drifted off.
The next day, when we met secretly, we laid in silence when he suddenly blurted out, "Aquila, do you want to run away with me?"
"Wait?" It came unexpected. I knew to keep this relationship it may come a time like this.
But when I didn't answer for a while, his eyelids drooped in sadness. "You're not willing?"
"No, I am," I hurriedly clarified, bringing his hands up to my chest. I cradled it lovingly, "I'm just a bit stunned, that's all."
He beamed at me. "I knew you'll accept. What we have isn't false at all…"
"But what about your job?" Ronan was Damon's butler, a position of power and envy.
Was he going to sacrifice all that… for me? I increased my grip on his hand, worried. He froze, averting his gaze; something flickered— too swift to catch. "Don't worry about it. My focus is on us and our life together."
"We would have little children who would have your features running around calling me daddy."
"Ronan!" I gave him a light smack on his chest, shrieking as he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. His freshly shaven beard prickled against my skin as I giggled.
The next day he told me the plan. "I would come to you in the dark. Just be prepared. Pack your things; we'll take advantage of the dark to run. I've already prepared everything we'll need when we go down."
It seemed too fast. I gripped his hand uneasily for comfort, swinging our entwined hands. I forced a smile hiding my thoughts. If that's what Ronan has planned, I'll follow through it.
"I know you're worried, Aquila. In fact, even I am too, but it's for our future." He brought my arm up to his lips, kissing it.
"And our future children. Remember Lumen and Flora." It was the children's names we had chosen. All representing my dreams. Lights. Wild flowers. Freedom
Mentioning them, all my hesitation was wiped out clean. “Yes, for Flora and Lumen,” I concurred, my determination surging for a life I couldn't grasp at just yet.
The process was swift. The next night, he came in the dark. As we sped down the hallway, ducking past guards on shifts, it was only once we were outside I glanced at Ronan.
"Ronan," I whispered, "where are your things?" I was the only one carrying a small sack; Ronan's hand was empty.
"Don't worry about me, Aquila.” Drawing me closer, he pointed towards a direction into the forest. I have already prepared my things the night before and placed it at the edge of that cliff over there,"
"You're so smart, Ronan," marveling at his forethinking, we sped towards the cliff. It was only a matter of time before they noticed we were gone. Each second my heart pounded faster and faster, thrumming in my throat at the same time. My hands grew clammy with sweat. We made a turn; the blurred trees now appearing properly. It was like the calm before the storm.
We were at the cliff; the trees stretched ominously towards the moon.
The owls hooted and something scuttled past the ground covered with leaves and branches.
My heart leaped to my throat. ‘Was it them? Have they noticed? Will they catch us’
"Ronan," I shivered. For some reason, everywhere was looking too ominous for my liking. "Where are the things?" I drew closer to him for comfort.
"We're running out of time, Aquila. I shared our baggage into two in case someone mistakenly discovers one bag. We can still keep the other."
"You're really brilliant, Ronan. That's why I love you." I gave him a playful smack on his lips. It dispelled the chill that clung to me, motivating me.
He froze for a second after I said that but snapped back, "It's just by the cliff, just the edge.
There's a gap; I hid it in. Help me get that one while I get the one up by the tree." He pointed to a gigantic tree that left me speechless.
How can someone think of hiding things in such a dangerous spot? Noticing he clarified, “No one would ever think something was here— right?” And I had to agree.
Approaching the cliff with small steps, I looked downwards, going nervously. A gaping darkness greeted me. Mistakenly kicking a stone, I flew downwards, the darkness devouring it. The end wasn’t in sight at all.
With my heart in my throat, I bent down.
"Ronan," I called out to ease my fear. "These places are dangerous, Ronan. Please don't do it again."
But I got no response.
"Ronan? Where are you—"
As I turned, Ronan stood behind me silently, his face obscured by the night. What greeted me was a harsh shove.
"Ronan!" A scream tore out of my lips. I tumbled off the cliff into the open air, as Ronan stood above me, his eyes cold as ice, completely unfamiliar, brown hair obscuring part of his face.
My hand reached out, grabbing at one of the protruding rocks underneath the cliff. The force slammed me against the rock. I groaned, slipping out of my lips. He gazed down at me, indifferent.
"Ronan" The betrayer was too sudden and harsh. It ripped my heart into two. I gritted my teeth.
"Ronan, why?" That was the only word that could leave my lips.
"I'm sorry, Aquila. I had to do it. Your existence is a stumbling block for Mira."
"Mira?" It's Mira again — it has always been her! When did you know her? Did she ask you to do this, Ronan?"
He shut his lips — a silent acceptance. "I'm sorry," he bowed his head, "but I have to do this." From his pocket, he brought out a knife. My heart sunk down to the pit of my stomach.
"Don't make me do this, Aquila…" he choked out. "I have no choice. My father will suffer."
The corners of my lips curled up, repulsed. So should I let go?
But he continued, "If we had known, we would never have saved her. Then all this wouldn't happen."
"Wait, they saved Mira!" My brain ran at high speed. It wasn't making sense, but everything came together.
"Were you ever planning to elope with me?" I asked him, staring at his face, but just like everywhere else, he replied: "I'm sorry, Aquila."
I let out a self-deprecating laughter. So it was me. It was all my illusion. He lifted up the knife, swung it down at me.
I shut my eyes expecting the pain.
But nothing came — just then,
The thudding of footsteps sounded. Ronan paused, shot up alarmed, then scampered away, abandoning me. I watched his fleeing back.
The man who told me he loved me, who saved me, betrayed me and left me to die.
The stones dug into my fingers; blood trailed down my arm. The pain doubled every second.
The chilly night air stung me; my sight blurred. I gritted my teeth, hanging on, but strength swiftly drained out from me.
At this time, I heard a voice.
"Damon, it's night," it whined. "Why did you come out here at this unholy hour? At such an eerie place?"
"I never told you to follow me," the voice countered, a voice I could recognize anytime — the voice of my nightmare — Damon!
But at this time, his voice was like salvation.
I called out, my voice croaked and low, "Damon, help! Help me!" but my throat refused to exert strength. My voice became increasingly low until it was barely a whisper.
"Let's go, Damon," Mira called out once more.
"No, please save me!" I cried out to their retreating footsteps.
"Wait, do you hear something?" Damon asked Mira. Hope bloomed. I was sa—
But her next words cut off any chance, "Hear something? No, just the hooting of those annoying owls. Damon, we should leave really, or I'll be mad at you. This place is creepy. Who'll be here by this time anyway… you and your weird instincts ?"
Her voice like silk wove words convincing Damon until he said,
"You're right. I'm probably just exhausted. Let's head back."
Mira knew I was here. And she doesn't want him to know. But why kill me?
Desth was calling me but Goddess, I don't want to die.
“No, save me," I called out to their retreating footsteps. Someone, please save me. My fingers began slipping off the rock. The world spun. I couldn't hold on. Tears streamed down my face.
Sobbing.
Was this how I was going to die? My body torn apart by wild animals and pecked clean by birds?
My hands were heavy. I knew I wasn't going to hold on much longer. My sweaty grip making it worse.
And when my fingers finally slipped off, I flailed my limbs, struggling, attempting to grab something else but came up with nothing.
Despair overwhelmed me. Falling through the air, I shut my eyes tightly.
- Writer
