Chapter 11

I awoke inside Youko's tight grasp three weeks later. I had lived well and enjoyed staying here, and Youko was right when he said they would welcome me into their home and lives with open arms. I helped out with the work, even through the denial from Haden and Sen. Haden had kept giving me mashed up herbs that formed a green color, saying that it would help me with my cough. Of course, she was right. I hadn't coughed or hacked within the two weeks I had taken it. I was so grateful.

I was still a little uneasy about staying here, and Youko respected that, along with everyone else here. "How are you this morning?" Youko asked, his ear twitching slightly. I smiled, and turned to face him. I nodded and pushed myself against him.

"Fine, just fine, dear," I answered, and looked over the ring on my finger. It was a perfect fit, I noticed, and wondered how he got the size, with a silver band, and a pale jewel on top, it looked like pearl, and when I asked him how he got it, he would smile and kiss me, making me forget the question. I would be married within the month. I curled my body into the small of his chest, and closed my eyes, letting his scent overcome me. He placed an arm over my waist and held me tightly. I would never leave his side.

I only wish it would be true…

………………………………………………………………

Two weeks later, it was the day before I was supposed to get married, and Haden was obsessed on getting my dress she made finished. I told her not to, but she overruled me, as usual. I would also work with Sen in the fields, planting seeds and picking weeds, watching Jevr with Youko when Haden and Sen were gone, and taking care of the animals. We had cut my hair, so looked shorter, after years of working. After Youko's protests, we cut it to about my shoulders, if not a little bit farther down. During the weeks here, Sen and Youko would work with me on my newfound powers. I had actually learned to control it, well, somewhat control it.

That was when my world came crashing down.

Haden had told me and Youko to get some time alone, and we went for a walk through the forest. It was beautiful, full of color and light, which I thought was odd, different, because I was taught to fear forests. I was taught to fear the common man, and that was why I trusted Youko to bring me in. He was a common man, and I didn't fear him, so, why should I fear the forest.

"I honestly cannot wait to marry you tomorrow, Nyx," Youko said, as we walked hand-in-hand down the paths. I had totally taken on the name Nyx, and never once did I think of my life as Gwenellasalainaoamista. I smiled and nodded, squeezing his hand.

"Neither can I, Youko," I said. He could feel my anxiety. With a marriage, it is very popular, even to some of the nobles, and I was worried that maybe they would hear and be able to find me. "I-I am just nervous, that is all."

"They won't find you, love," he said, and kissed my forehead, "and if they do, I will protect you," he said.

"Steal me away like you did back in the dungeon?" I asked with a small smiled. He smiled back.

"Exactly," he said, and we continued on our walk. It was when we were far inside the forest that I heard and smelled it: smoke and a lot of it. Something large was on fire, and the burning flesh entered my nostrils.

"Youko," I whispered in fright, and he sniffed the air. He smelled it too. We had one look at each other before we both broke out in a flat-out run. My mind was telling me to run, to save myself, but my heart told me to follow my fiancé, and make sure my new family was safe, but we were too late. We arrived on the outskirts of the forest, and we could see the small cottage on fire. Soldiers surrounded the burning building, each holding up either a sword or a burning brand.

"THERE SHE IS!!!" someone cried, and everyone turned to face me.

"Run, Youko!" I yelled, running back into the forest, with him on my heals. We were blocked off by a patrol guard, each brandishing a bow and an arrow. "Drop dead!" I yelled, letting a lot of my power flow in my voice. I swaggered on my feet, and Youko held me. We could hear the soldiers running. The ones in front did exactly as I said. "Come on!" I yelled for Youko alone, and we ran through the forest.

He had to lift me up and carry me half way through from the run because I used my powers on all guards that came our way, but soon, we were completely surrounded, and Serkan stepped forward, his burgundy eyes blazing. I took a step back, while I was still on my feet. Youko's and my hands were bound, and we could do nothing to break them.

"So you are the filthy peasant that stole my fiancé!" Serkan asked, and punched Youko hard in the stomach, making his double over and gasp for breath on the ground. I gasped, and tried to lunge myself forward. IO couldn't. I was too weak. "Bastard!" Serkan yelled, and kicked Youko again. He whimpered slightly, but turned a hearty glare back at Serkan.

"Leave him ALONE!" I barked at Serkan with all of my might. I didn't use a single drop of my power. He turned to face me, and stepped on Youko's body to get to me. "I left you, you broke your vows, you broke me, you lose me, simple as that, Serkan," I growled, accenting his name with a harsh grunt. But to my surprise, Serkan began to laugh, and he looked at the ring on my finger with a gasp.

"What vows?" he mocked, ripping the ring from my finger. "We were never married, never vowed," he said. I smiled, just what I wanted to hear myself.

"Then why do you come for me? I never made my vows to bear your child, to heal you, and respect you, my father did. Go marry him instead!" I barked. Serkan's face filled with rage and anger, and he provided is wrath upon me, thrusting his fist into my chest, then slapping me so hard I fell to the ground. I began to cough, then hack, then cough up blood. I became weak, too weak, to keep myself upright, to pull myself upright. I was as good as dead.

"Worthless bitch!" Serkan screeched, grabbing my neck and lifting me off of the ground. "I should have killed you when I had the chance, but, I will not mistake myself this time…" he chuckled. I could feel my eyes fill with anger and fear. I could hear Youko gasp slightly and then cough. "Take him to watch his family burn," Serkan ordered, motioning towards Youko. "Kill him if…no…" he stopped, with a dark smile. I gasped for air, he still held me in the air by my throat. "Leave him alone to suffer. Do not kill him," Serkan ordered, before walking away, placing me on top of his horse, and running off towards the city.

"YOUKO!!!" I screeched at the top of my lungs, keeping my gaze on him for as long as possible.

It would be the last time…