The Dance Of Fire

Chapter 6.

It wasn’t the last time he had seen her. The day of her departure was coming closer. He had stayed away from her. Avoided searching for her in the hallways. Spending his time in the caves below the fort. Enjoying the embrace of the healing water that kept them young. He felt his heart being ripped from his chest with each new day that would lead her away from him. But he had to let it. He would not fight for her. Before, he had considered her weak, but she was stronger than him. There was no sign of sadness in her eyes anymore. There were no sleepless nights on her pale face. Each time they would meet each other in the grand hall she would bow to him in respect, not saying a word. Keeping her distance. Not disturbing him with her presence more than it was needed. Covering her hair. Hiding her face from him. Making contact between them impossible. Not even sparing him a word. And now it was her last night in his home. He wondered how she would spend it? Would there be any sorrow in the dark eyes while they led her back to her father's home? Would she look back at his fort, seeking comfort in its thick walls? Would she follow him if he asked her to? She had offered him so willingly anything that he had wanted. All he needed was to say a word and nothing could stand between them. Not even Araphel could put them apart if they had the power of his destined one by his side. But still, he had decided against it. She was not his. Nahara belonged to the world of shadows. The world he had left willingly and could not come back to. He had stood up from the water going back to the light. Feeling the restlessness of his position. The weaknesses of his fate. His eyes met hers. She was waiting for him in the half-darkness of the cave. This time, the dark eyes had nothing to hide. Slowly making her way to him. Dressed in a see-through silver dress that showed her skin. Being braver than he could ever be. She stopped in front of him. Her eyes took him all in, his strong body. Tanned skin. Golden markings on his hands and chest. Showing the making of a dragon prince. Tomorrow she will leave. And he wondered if this was the first time she had shown herself to a warrior. Was this something Araphel's daughter would do as a part of her web to ruin him? She could almost hear his thoughts. Their bond was still strong.

-I only ask one night. One night where I will feel loved. Safe. Protected. One night that I will spend next to you. In your arms. A part of your dreams. One night out of many that we will never share. I wish to have one single night as your destined one. By your side. Like it was supposed to be before the darkness comes down into our lives to ruin us. Can you give me as much, Lord Einar? Can you gift me one night of happiness that will last me for the rest of my life? It is all I seek from you before I leave.-it was a simple request. But it cost her her entire heart. He looked at her in front of him. Wondering how many times before she has made such a request? Asking himself why would a princess like her throw away her honor and shame for one night with him? Not giving her an answer, his hand touched her cheek. Going down to her neck. He was obsessed with her. The softness of her skin. The smell of her hair. The light in her dark eyes. It was so perfect he almost found himself begging her to stay. But that was what she wanted. And that was what he would never give her. His lips touched hers. Maybe with too much force, but she didn’t back away. She kept his lips on hers, not complaining of the pain. Closing her eyes. At least feeling something more than death. At least with this warrior, she was feeling alive. He had picked her up from the floor. Carrying her to a simple bed made of animal skins. There will be no soft bed for her. There would be no silk sheets for Araphel's daughter. He had put her down, tearing up her dress. Destroying the silk necklaces she wore around her neck. Throwing away the black diamonds of her family. Covering her skin with his hands. She had kissed him now. Nahara had given her heart to that kiss. She had given her soul to him in that cave. She had sacrificed her honor and her name for him. Even knowing that he would never accept her. Knowing that they would not have a happy end as if stories she was told when small. Einar covered her body with his. Still looking at those dark eyes when he had entered her. Seeing the pain. Realizing the truth. Stopping for a second. His mind racing. His heart bleeding. As she was bleeding under him. Nahara hid her face on his shoulder. Letting shudders of pain leave her body.

-Nahara.-he had whispered to her ear. That was the voice she had learned to love. That was the voice belonging to her destined one. That voice will never accept her.

-I am yours.-she had said the words he would never say. Einar could feel the love she had for him. The forgiveness of the things he had not done. And the things he was about to do. Slowly he had kissed her again. More gently. Much more gently this time. She had melted in his hands. Grabbing his shoulders as if her life depended on him. As if he was the only person that made her feel alive and her heart beating. She had surrendered herself to him. Completely. With all her body, heart, and soul. There was no going back. He had taken her. And he would let her go in the morning. Einar was still holding her close. Burying himself into her. Not being able to stop. Not being able to give up. Hearing her voice. Hearing those words. He put his face in her hair, smelling it. Enjoying the softness of her body beneath him. It was like heaven. It was like coming home.