Forever Isn't Always

Chapter 8

I looked in the mirror not recognizing my reflection. Lisa could work magic with anything including people, that is exactly what she did to me. She had done my hair in an updo. And with my hair naturally curly, it suited it well. She had applied some blush on my cheeks and some red berries to give my lips more colour. 

‘’You did a wonderful job Lisa'' I said admiring her work

‘’Thanks Ciara'' she said smiling

But there was something bugging me so I asked, ‘’Are you sure I'm not being too easy?''

Lisa must have noticed the fear in my eyes cause she said ‘’Don't worry Ciara, everything will be fine. Besides he is the man from yor dreams, not many people get to meet that man'' There was a kind of comforting sound in her voice.

 ‘’I have your clothes. I had them delivered from the palace tailor. I knew you would be going near or possibly into the forest. So I had him design something similar to your fighting attire but with class'' She said as she lay it down on my bed. It was a sleeveless top with tight botttoms. It had beautiful sequins and it clung in all the right places. Then there was a hooded cape with very beautiful designs on it.

‘’Wow, thanks Lisa. It's beautiful but what will you tell my dad when I dont make it for dinner?'' I asked as I admired the clothes

‘’That you are in prayers. You know every bride has every night alone to prayers and self care the week before the marriage. So its not a big deal'' she said with a wink

‘’Oh…I forgot about that. Thanks Lisa'' I said smiling

‘’Its ok. I'll go now, tell me about it tomorrow'' She said and took her leave. I locked the door behind her then went to start getting dressed.

I slipped out through my garden and out the gates. I was a bit nervous because I was meeting him and also because I was meeting me at tavern's creek. That was a dangerous place. I heard there were wild animals there and that spirits haunt it andd now I was feeling really stupid for agreeing to meet him there. I held on to the neclace dangling around my neck that Jasmine gave me. And I believed it would keep me safe.

I got there just in time. I was now in Taverns creek exactly at dawn. I looked into the forest and wondered where exactly I would meet him. I held onto my necklace harder and started to panic…what if he didn't show up? what if i didn't here him correctly? Then I felt his icy cold palms on my shoulders. Those icy palms sent heat waves through my body. I turned around to face him and was in the exact position as the first time but not as close as before.

‘’You came right on time'' he said grinning

‘’I guess I did'' I replied blushing. I didn't know what to say. His hands were still around my waist. What was I thinking? I didn't know him, I got out of his hold and looked at him

‘’Do I get your name?''I asked

‘’Yeah, it's John''. he said but he seemed distracted

‘’What's wrong?'' I asked worriedly. I couldn't have come here just to get practically ignored.

‘’Aree you sure nobody followed you?'' he asked 

‘’Yeah, I'm pretty sure'' Though now I was starting to doubt. What if someone followed me and I didn't know?

‘’Your highness'' A voice said from behind me. I turned to look at who it was and John drew out a dagger ready to attack. I looked and saw that it was Arthur.

‘’Put away your daggers John, he is a friend''  I said sending a Arthur questioning look. 

‘’Your highness,what are you doing here? It isn't safe'' he said. There was a look of shock on his face

‘’ I could ask you the same thing Arthur. How did you find me?''

‘’I saw when you slipped out, we have to get back to the palace''

‘’We have to get out of here, it's not safe'' John said, looking at me.

My thoughts were cut of by the sound of a twig breaking in the forest behind Arthur. John drew out his daggers and Arthur drew out his sword in direction of the sound but it was too late. 

My heart felt shattered in this moment.

What happened was magic. As Arthur drew out his sword, he seemed to float. The temerature dropped around us as Arthur's feet were lifted off the ground. I was screaming Arthur's name till I wasn't sure I was screaming anymore. I could here by voice but it didn't feel like it was my voice.

John pulled me away from there. ‘’We have to get out of here'' he said…I was still panicking and in shock so I followed him. Halfway through the forest I  heard Arthur's screams and said,

‘’Wait, what am I doing? I have to go back for Arthur. He may still be alive-'' then a heartbreaking thought occured to me and I started weeping again ‘’What of Lisa? And her baby? She did everything to help me, I have to go back for him''

I started following Arthur's screams but was stopped as I collided with John's chest.

‘’You have to let me go!'' I screamed. He didn't budge. ‘’Let me go!'' I shouted again but was of no use. I start hitting his chest and  weepingbut he didn't budge. Instead he put his hands on my lips and said ‘’He didn't make it, listen'' 

He was right, I couldn't hear his screams anymore. He enveloped me in his arms as I wept. Then suddenly but gently I was enveloped in darkness