It was cold, and dark, and the moon was full and bright in the sky.
On the surface it was peaceful, disguising the truth of the evening in the icy starlight above.
The blade was cold and dark as well, and it too shone brightly in the moonlight when it flashed through empty air until it struck its target.
Silver metal was stained with blood and the still of the night was broken by a gasp of surprise and pain.
For such a brutal moment, there was no uproar or chaos, merely rage that had frozen to malice over the years and innocent confusion coupled with shock.
Her reaction was subtle, slow, as if trying to comprehend what had just happened.
His reaction was just to clutch her arm a little tighter, to mildly twist the dagger between her slender shoulder blades.
She was easy to guide to the ground, still in shock from what she undoubtedly viewed as a betrayal, but what he saw as only justice. For all the hurt he had just caused her, it took no coaxing to pull her into a sideways embrace.
The only thing she could ask was; why?
There was no point in explaining it to her, no use trying to make her understand before her eyes slide closed and her head flopped onto his shoulder.
Why?
Why not.
Somebody would come looking for her shortly, of that he was sure. But he had already known what this course of action would cost him.
The price was high, but it didn't make his resolve waver any.
They would find her, limp and lifeless, cradled in his arms in a deceptively loving way, dagger in her back. They would find the two of them silent and covered in blood, and ironically, he would be seeing her soon enough once more.
There was no escape. They're destiny was tied together, forever and always.
Why?
Because he had nothing left to lose. He'd already lost it all.
An AU where Kieran never forgave Cuore, and where Cuore never figured out anything about his past.
Title is a combination of what both their names mean. (Ciar, root of the name Kieran, means "black" or "dark", Cuore is an Italian word that means "Heart" both in the literally and figurative senses.)