Long Live
He grasped her hand tightly.
For what would be the last time.
A tear slipped across her face and landed on his.
"Don't cry." He breathed." I will always be there. In your heart. "
"But... you can't leave me."
"Look at me. Tell our daughter, tell her who I was, show her my picture, tell her how the crowds went wild, tell her I hope she'll shine, tell her I hope she'll always love those around her because, you never know which day is your last. Promise me she'll know her father."
"I promise."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Forever and always."
"Forever and always."
And so it came to pass the death of the good king Horace. He set his face in an open but strong pose, took his last breath, closed his eyes, and died.
"Goodbye."
The pregnant queen Cassandra crouched by her husband's dead form and wept.
Wept for the magic they had made that would never happen again.
