I give full credit of this chapter to Randi Brown, a friend of mine. I could not write a decent death scene at the time and required her writing skills. Please, if there are any comments to this, I shall send them to her. Thank you.
Link jumped from rooftop to rooftop. The cool wind showed no signs of calming him.
"She wanted to be with a guard instead of him, fine" Link thought "I don't need her" he felt his foot slip on the edge of a roof.
Regaining his balance, he dropped down into a bakery, through an open window, and snatched a loaf of bread. He jumped back through the window and repeated the process at the butchers, this time stealing a leg of turkey.
When Link had managed to get back to the old mansion, he sat down. A woman danced before his eyes, she looked like Melinda only younger.
After he finished eating, Link curled up in his usual corner and attempted another sleep but was wracked with horrible nightmares.
Jack sat at the top of the stairs, watching her move. As she swept through the little house, clearing any and all dust. He watched her swaying hips and full lips as she sang a light tune. It was enough to make him shiver. Suddenly she looked up and smiled at him. He smiled back and descended the stairs.
"I heard about what happened today." she said, concerned.
He waved her worries away. "Happens all the time. Nothing ever comes of it. Except the occasional beating of course..." he smiled like it didn't matter.
"You know I worry about you Jack. Don't play these dangerous games." she frowned.
He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand.
"You know me, I love danger." he kissed her then. Softly. She pulled away, but not before kissing back.
"Please Jack. I beg you. Be nice to them. I don't want to see you get-" the sound of the door closing interrupted her. Father was home.
Her eyes widened. "I'd better go." she scurried away. Jack was left alone, feeling suddenly cold. He stood there and stewed for a moment. Just as he was about to turn he felt hot breath on the back of his neck.
Link sat up with a jolt and rubbed his eyes as light streamed through a window. He felt cold, colder than he had felt in a long time. He needed some air.
Samuel boiled inside. The memory of Melinda's angry voice raged inside his skull. He was proud of himself. He'd done something he'd wanted to for years! And yet it wasn't a victory. His cheeks flushed at the memory and he ducked his head as he passed the castle's festive servants.
Maybe he'd go to her after the Royals' wedding? Could he apologize and hope for another shot later or...? His train of thought derailed as he entered the little room he shared with Max, a manservant to the king. It was just across from her room and he could tell it was occupied. How he ached to see her again! To feel her lips on his, no matter how reluctant. It was like a fire burning away his sanity.
A shining new chain mail armor set was on stand at the foot of his bed. It was the honor guard's uniform. He was lucky to stand on one side of the great room's doors while the wedding happened. Exciting... He could see himself in it, go figure. He smiled in anticipation for the event.
A movement flickered over his reflected shoulder. Samuel frowned. What the...? He leaned closer to the armor. Was that a... Before he could even finish the thought, it disappeared... face? A chill went up his spine and he whirled around to find an empty doorway. Spooked, he shut the door.
"Seeing things now? It's just not my..." his voice trailed off as he felt a presence nearby. Without really knowing why, he looked up.
A shadow knelt among the rafters; an almost tangible aura of vengeance surrounded it. The shadow flitted out of sight, leaving only a low laugh. Samuel exhaled heavily and looked around. Someone was there.
"I saw you last night." an icy voice said, sending chills up Samuel's spine once again.
"You shouldn't have done that, you know." the voice continued, this time behind him. He whirled once more and came face to face with a vengeful wraith. A fire burned in the other man's eyes and murder written over his face. Samuel took a step back.
"Move again or even shout, and you're dead." the shadow said angrily. He took a few steps forward until he was towered over Samuel. A smile played on his lips as he slowly pulled out a dagger, clearly savoring Samuel's fear.
Samuels's eyes darted to the sword lying on his bed then back. To his dismay, the shadow noticed. He smiled wolfishly.
"Don't even try it. I've killed better men than you."
"What do you want with me?" Samuel said, his voice strangely strong, even with all the fear he felt.
The shadow threw his head back and laughed. Moonlight danced of his blonde hair, but the fire still heated his eyes. All at once Samuel knew he couldn't best this man. There was darkness within him that he had no hope of taming.
"I'm going to cut your lips off, then rip your heart out as she did mine." a hand came up and gripped his throat, shoving Samuel against a wall.
"Then I will put it on display, so people will know that I haven't just been stealing their bread." an irrational light appeared in the shadow's eyes. "And then just maybe I can take what I've come here for."
The dagger raised into the air moonlight shattering off its surface. Samuel tried to free himself, but the hand holding him was too strong. His mind blanked. His chest heaved in fear.
The dagger came down, a terrifying glee flashed across the shadow's face. Pain exploded in his shoulder and he cried out, even as the darkness came.