When you're close to me
A/N: I'm just going to do the same thing for this chapter like I did for five. Flashback then the main event. I feel like it works for me in this case. Also, I'm still extremely sorry for chapter five. Criticism is much welcome and appreciated.
Elizabethan Era, England, 1564
Sandy's POV
I sat up as the door opened, thankful I was covered and no one was beside me. He must've left in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, that was short lived as I realized who had entered my room.
"Your Highness." He purred, bowing.
He's not supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to come back to court this early. What business could the duke even have with me?
"Calvin-Grand Duke," I said. "If it's to discuss the land-"
"No." He interrupted, righting himself. "My matters are more personal. A few of your chambermaids are saying there was a man who left your room."
I swallowed the lump forming. There's no way anyone would be up that late.
"Yes, but not the reason you think," I replied. "He's just a servant I've chosen as a bed warmer."
He simply nodded, walking towards me. A predatory look flashing in brown eyes.
"Is that all? I remember a rumor," He paused, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You invited a servant to sleep with you."
Focusing on the tapestry, I said nothing as he continued, "It was in great detail I might add. But it's not true is it?"
I looked at him, feeling a familiar ache bloom inside my chest. "No, he's just a servant I asked to watch over me," I repeated. "You remember my fear of the dark."
A smile stretched his lips as he stood and began turning away.
"He'll be executed."
It hadn't even been a month before Shadow's arrest. Calvin said it was treason, and I still wouldn't have believed him if this mess was for a different crime. Looking out at the throngs of people, I clenched my fist as the air became suffocating.
It was too soon.
The executioner shook his head as the priest spoke, refusing his offer.
"Why did he refuse?" I asked, flinching as Calvin's hand closed around mine.
"I paid him myself. There's no sense in a bastard with no family to pay for his own death." He said. "I made it easier for both of them."
I let out a shaky breath as Shadow's head rested on the scaffold with his hands tied behind his back. He looked up meeting my fear ridden gaze. At that, he smiled and mouthed the words, 'I love you.'
Letting my eyes fall shut, I grit my teeth as the hollow thump of head meeting ground floated above the roar of the crowd. How can people find entertainment in this?
Sucking in air, I snatched my hand out of the duke's grip heading towards the carriage and ignoring his call.
"Your grace, please come out." Rouge said. I barely heard her behind the thick door, but I know she won't leave until I say something.
"I'm fine. I jus' wanna be alone." I replied, pacing next to the bed.
Calvin shouldn't have known about this at all. I shouldn't have given into my own desires and neither should've Shadow.
I pressed my lips together as the sour taste of bile washed over me. My heart slammed against my rib cage as events from today and three weeks ago merged together in a sick reality. How could I have been so stupid? Darting my eyes around the room for prying eyes, I reached inside my pillow case. I sighed in relief as the cool, solid weight of a dagger hit my palm. Hearing silence from the other side of the door, I rolled up my sleeve, seeing myself in the reflection of the dagger as it pressed below my hand. The smell of iron became permanent as I caught sight of red staining my wrist.
Can love remember how to get me home to you?
A/N: Yes, I know this is very Romeo and Juliet-esque. Except not really, cause Romeo never got executed somehow. Anyway, I didn't expect the flashback to be that long, but I do not regret it. Also, the diction is like this because I submerged myself so far into this that it became nearly poetic to Shakespeare himself, I'm kidding. Oh, and the line at the end is from "Together again" by Evanescence. Once again, criticism is welcome and appreciated.