Chapter 12
Elijah was gone for a long moment. However, Macy swallowed her pride and stayed in room, which quite surprised Elijah when he finally returned. 'Why are you still here?'
'You have not permitted me to leave.' She answered mildly. She did not look at him but when she finally did, she noticed that he was neither angry nor satisfied. He was lost in his own grief. He walked past her and sat on a chair by the balcony. He said nothing for a short while. Then he finally looked at her and asked, 'what else did Stella say?'
Macy observed him briefly before she answered, 'nothing. She just said that she reminded of me.'
Elijah looked at her as if he was thinking whether it was true or not. His head fell back, 'she was brave; one of the most beautiful girls in this town.'
Macy watched him trying to hold back his tears, and she decided to look down without saying anything. Elijah stood up from the chair as if someone had pushed him off, and he walked to the balcony. 'She was seven. She thought that she was supposed to help this kingdom. She was just seven.' Elijah spoke to the air but then he turned around to gaze at Macy. 'You said that this kingdom was stronger. Why would you say that?'
Slowly, Macy looked up and replied, 'My mother told me once that every kingdom is built of two circles; the outer and the inner. The kingdom that will always stand is the kingdom with the strongest inner circles. When I see this family, I finally understand. Despite everything you will stand together, you will not go against your own family. In my kingdom there are no relations. There is only one king and his desires.'
Elijah stepped closer, 'you mother sound like a clever woman.'
'She was.' Macy smiled.
'What happened to her?'
'She was sick. She needed a healer but all the female healers were too far away. They would never be able to reach in time, and while I and the entire household begged him to let a male healer help, my father remained stubborn. He would not let any male even see her. She died.'
'I am sorry.' Elijah gently said and stepped closer to her, and she could see that he meant it.
'Don't be. I am glad my mother never saw what he did to me.'
'Perhaps he sold you to a better place.' It was a question but Macy did not answer it. Instead she stold him her true destiny, 'he wanted to sell me to death. He thinks I am dead. He asked me to kill myself when the opportunity came. I didn't.'
Elijah's eyes widened in astonishment, 'he wanted you dead.'
She nodded and he stepped closer, 'then why did you not obey.'
'My life could not have meaning. I just want my death to mean something.'
Elijah was near her and calmly took her hand. 'You should take care of your wounds.'
'I will.'
'I do not believe you.'
There was only silence. but Elijah brpke it, 'you do remind of her.'
Macy looked up, and he continued. 'Layla had a sharp tongue but a heart of gold.'
A tear escaped her eyes. Elijah asked her, 'why are you crying?'
'How can it be that strangers become kinder than own blood?'
Elijah swallowed but did not say anything. 'You will be a good father one day, Prince Elijah.' She smiled. However, she quickly wiped her tears away and asked, 'Can I leave, sir?'
'I do not want you to go... but I allow it if you want to.' Macy stared at him with wondering eyes. She thought about leaving. She thought about saying that she never wanted to be there in the first place but it all felt like lies. Elijah watched her and she finally said, 'I will stay as long as needed.'
Elijah kissed her hand but it was kinder and warmer. 'Layla would have been happy to meet you.'
Another tear escaped from Macy's eyes but she wiped it away quickly. 'What can I do for you, Prince Elijah?'
He guided her toward the balcony but she stopped. 'I am in quarrel with the sea. I cannot go near.'
'The sea is not that near here.' Gently, Elijah pulled her toward him and she walked with him. She remembered that less than a day ago, she had stood there for punishment and now she stood there as a supporter or even a friend. As they stood by the railing, Elijah placed one arm around but did not look at her or made any other move. She merely stared at the blue sky. Macy glanced at him. His tortured soul showed on his face and she wanted to touch it, caress it so his pain could away
'How quickly enemies can become friends.' Macy said
Elijah finally looked at her and replied, 'my father believe that friendship is nothing but a phase among strangers, which only stays until one friend betrays the other.'
'I do not believe that', Macy merely said.
A hand began to caress Macy's lips and he said, 'we can never be friends, Macy. Your heart will darken within these walls. You soul will shatter with me.'
'I have lived for twenty-five years, and I have never felt safer than I do with you.'
'You have to run away.' He blurted out.
She stared at him astonishment. 'How can I do that? Where will I go? She swallowed and said, 'I will stay here.'
Elijah said nothing but stared at her as he moved his hand toward her face. 'My family will not spare you.'
'I will stay.' she repeated as if she was saying something else.
'They will corrupt you.'
'I will stay.'
'They will tear you apart.'
'I will stay.'
'They will ruin you.'
'I will stay.'
With a sudden movement he pulled her closer to him and kissed her. Macy did not move resist. Elijah placed his hands on her face and pulled her lips to his, and her hands slowly began to move toward his body. Their kiss was passionate but Elijah pulled himself back. 'You should go.' However, Macy stepped closer her and moved her hands to his face and stared at him for long time, 'I will stay.' She said and then walked out of the room.
