Disclaimer: The lyrics are from the song: 'Where will you Go' By Evanescence.
You're too important for anyone
You play the role of all you long to be
But I, I know who you really are
You're the one who cries when you're alone
But where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape
You can't escape
Rakab cursed quietly as Ralon, drove a dagger point into his back, forcing him along. The other thieves laughed at Rakab's weakness and pushed him around, shoving him to the ground. He felt Ralon's foot press him to the ground, the toe of his boot pressing into his shoulder. Rak growled and heard the soft clink of the chains on his hands as he tried to move. Ralon snatched the collar of Rakab's shirt and dragged him up, nearly choking Rak in the process. Ralon grinned, "Keep walking, Rak, or I'll drag ya by your ankles!"
You think that I can't see right through your eyes
Scared to death to face reality
No one seems to hear your hidden cries
You're left to face yourself alone
But where will you go (where will you go)
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape
The truth
Rakab sighed softly and winced as the chains cut into his skin when he walked. The leader of Sheeva Intre had been stupid to fall for their well-laid trap and blamed himself for it entirely, he was willing to accept death if it came. And besides, what use was he to anyone anymore?
Namid had a secure home, a mate, and soon a child would come…what more would she need with him?
I realize you're afraid (I realize)
But you can't abandon everyone
You can't escape
You don't want to escape
He remembered the Lupine lullaby and of its promise of freedom, and a smile twitched at his mouth as he thought of the wolves, his clan. The sun beat upon his back as the tight chains cut into his skin and he bowed his head in defeat. Freedom meant nothing now to him; it was only a word, after all.
If freedom meant he could love Namid, he would embrace it with open arms. "I'm sorry I've done this…to myself and to you, Namid. I love you with all my heart, but I love you enough to respect your choice…" he thought.
Rakab was suddenly pushed to the ground again and whipped. His anger subsided to a feeble attempt to stifle the pain from the gashes made along his back. Bleeding and throbbing, he was mocked, spat at, and laughed at. His cries rang through the air; his painful howls and whimpers however fell on deaf ears, for no one heard him.
I'm so sick of speaking words that no one understands
Is it clear enough that you can't live your whole life all alone?
I can hear you when you whisper
But you can't even hear me screaming
The thieves stopped their 'game' and left him there to bleed for the night, not bothering to patch up his wounds. It was like this seven days before, when they had captured him, they would drag him along when they traveled, beat him and leave him by the fire while they set up camp. Long scars and infected wounds covered his body, rendering him a slave of torture. He put up with it and did not fight back, for what was the point? He was going to die anyway and he had no reason to live anymore.
Yet his memories of Namid comforted him in these times, and kept his spirit strong. In his dreams, he imagined a different life, with difficulties yes, but under different circumstances. She ruled over the Lupine, as their Alphess and he as their Alpha. Namid was a beautiful queen, with robes of stark white and a crown of full moon shapes, made from moonstones. Bless Ylva, they were beautiful dreams and he treasured them.
For in another seven days, when the sun set below the earth and the moon rose…
He was to die.
Where will you go (where will you go)
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape
The truth
Namid paced in her room, glancing out the window ever so often, the sun low in the sky. Bialas hadn't returned with any news and Ginger or the twins hadn't spoken to her in a while. It was making her anxious and short-tempered.
"For seven days now…" she whispered, "Seven whole days!" she fidgeted with her hair, biting her lip and resumed pacing, eyes on the floor.
I realize you're afraid (I realize)
But you can't reject the whole world
Salem walked—stormed into the room, head bowed and red eyes blazing like two red embers from the hearth. He glanced at Namid and turned away to sit at a desk, absently sorting papers. After a long pause, the cobra turned to Namid, "You know," he began, choosing his words carefully, "You once told me that you loved me."
"I do." Namid looked up, and met her pair bond's gaze.
"Well then what's this I'm hearing about you and the thief?" Salem replied, raising a brow.
"I'm finished with him." She said, her voice as emotionless as her face. She was lying again, but she didn't trust the cobra's reaction with the truth. "I loved him, yes, but it was only an fascination. Nothing more."
Salem nodded and stood, "Then why, dear Namid, why did I find out that you were 'more then friends' with the thief?"
"I love you!" she insisted.
"No you don't." Salem shook his head, anger building "No."
"Y—" There was a sound of a slap and Namid found herself on the floor, cheek stinging. She looked up, surprised, and Salem froze in shock, face pale and eyes wide. The prince took a step back and sunk into the desk chair, put his head into his hands, sucking in slow, ragged breaths. "I—I'm sorry…I wasn't thinking…I—"
Namid shied away from his touch when he reached out to sooth her, "You're like Wolfbane himself!" she whispered.
"Wolfbane?"
"The bane of wolves, the demon of spite!" Namid replied, slowly standing and backing up towards the door. "Why are you still in love with me if you know I am in love with the thief?"
"I have to." He murmured, taking a step towards her.
She ran out of the room, Salem's calls echoing down the halls, skirts gathered and heart racing. She had to get out of there; the true heart of the wolf in her was disappearing and crying to her to escape. "Please Ylva, save me…save this child from him." Tears blinded her as she ran, her body craving the air of freedom.
"Promise me you'll protect yourself from him. Don't let him hurt you."
She had kept her promise to Rakab.
But she was trapped. Trapped in the chains of allegiance and united to Salem by marriage. She didn't want it, any of it. All she wanted was to be free and to escape to Rakab's embrace and his love.
You can't escape
You won't escape
You can't escape
You don't want to escape
Rak pretended to be asleep while he tried to form a plan to escape from Ralon and his followers. Where they had stopped for the night, a waterfall gushed around large, jagged rocks. It cut a river through the land and Rak knew the river somehow led back to Wyvern's Court. The only problem was getting in the river without the chains dragging him down. Then he had an idea: When they took off his chains to eat, he would attack and jump off the ravine and let the river carry him back to the Court.
No. That was too chancy for him, yet he did love a challenge…but he still needed his life to accomplish this mission and for this, he didn't want to wait.
Rakab slowly got up, wincing as various new cuts stung and stumbled to the edge of the ravine. Freedom was his if he succeeded. "Ylva and Helaku…help me make it out alive," "Protect Namid if I die. Protect her from the prince…" He silently prayed, gazing at the full moon.
Slowly, he drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes tightly, feeling his body dropping into air, the wind whistling in his ears as he opened his streaming eyes.
The whistling in his ears stopped and his body plunged into the river with a force that knocked the air from his lungs. Kicking his legs, he came up gasping and swore violently, knowing full well now that he should have waited until his hands had been freed.
"Well, it's too late now." He mumbled, spitting out water, as the river threw him none-too-gently down its course.