And if I stand here silent
I almost start to feel you fading in
Telling me hold on
'cause it's gonna be alright

DG quickly sprang up in bed as shots rang across the morning light. She gasped for air and clung to her heart, fearing it would beat out of her chest. Her clothes fit oddly around her body. What pieces didn't cling to her sweating body sagged in places where she'd lost a considerable amount of weight. She ran a hand through her tangled hair and slowly leaned back against a propped up pillow.

It was over. She heard the crowd outside her window cheer as Zero's body was pulled off the execution platform. It didn't take long for the people of the O.Z to find out what happened to the young princess. As much as it killed the queen, she wanted to do things as civil and as fair as possible. However, the people began to cry out in anger that something had to be done. Fearing that the people would revolt, she met with her advisors and diplomatic team. It was settled that a prison was no place for someone like Zero. There were ways for him to escape and as crafty as he was, they would take no chances.

Finally, on a cold, drizzly day, the queen stood before her people. The crowd cheered when she announced that Zero would be executed for the heinous crimes he committed, from killing his parents, to harming a member of the royal family. The only mercy handed to Zero was the fact that it would be quick and painless.

DG ran her hands up and down her arms, trying to get rid of the chill that crawled on her body. He was gone; he'd never harm anyone again. She closed her eyes but could still feel his hands on her body, his breath on her face. Yes, he was gone, but months after he'd completely torn her apart, she was still afraid to be alone. She looked around her bedroom and sighed. She felt like a weight had been lifted, that by killing Zero gave her the ability to breathe again. She knew there would be spells when memories would seem too real to fathom, but moving on and trying to recover seemed like the best remedy.

She pushed the heavy quilts from her lap and swung her body around to the side of the bed. Her feet dangled off the high bed and she squirmed around, trying to find a slipper. She noticed a pile of Cain's clothing sitting on the window seat and she wondered how long he'd be there. How long had he'd be watching over her? Had he gotten any sleep at all? She wrapped her arms around her body as she shuffled into the bathroom, desperately needing a warm shower. She started the water and sat on a chair, letting the steam quickly rise in the room.

She wondered how much she'd missed in the past months as she slept in her own cocoon of a bed. What days had passed? What seasons had changed? She hated him for taking away so many months that she could never get back. She slipped off her loose garments, letting them pile up around her on the floor. DG pulled back the curtain of the shower and stepped in, careful not to slip.

She grabbed a sponge and dug it into her skin, trying to scrub away whatever trace of him was left on her skin. As the sponge turned her skin red and raw, she kept rubbing. Her face filled with anger and hate. She hated him not only for what he did to her but what he took from her. He took her spirit and her happiness and she feared that she would never get it back. As she scrubbed harder her eyes filled with tears and her hand slipped, knocking over the glass canisters that held the soap and oils. She let out a large sob and she slid down the wall.

Cain ran back to DG's room. He didn't want to leave her alone. Of all days, this was a day he needed to be with her. Unfortunately, given his status and place within the security of the palace, it was his job to be there. He stood beside the Azkadellia and felt her jump when the command was given. He watched her close her eyes tightly as Zero's body made a sickening thud on the wooden platform. He made sure she was ok and that his duty was done before taking off back towards the palace.

He looked around the room frantically. He expected to find DG still in her bed, but when he pulled back the covers she wasn't there. He looked under the bed and in the wardrobe, trying to see if maybe she'd packed a bag. Everything was in place, just as it should have been. He turned to the window just as he heard the water in the bathroom. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief. He ran a hand through his blonde hair and started to sit in a nearby chair. He had hardly rested his worn body when he heard a crash in the bathroom. In a second he was on his feet and running towards the bathroom.

He pushed open the door and squinted through the steam, trying to find DG. He walked carefully over to the shower and pulled back the curtain. She looked up at him meekly and his heart fell. The broken canister's surrounded her but it didn't seem like anything cut her. He reached over and turned off the water, allowing a few brave drops to make their final decent and then the room was quiet. He grabbed a fluffy towel from a stack beside him and bent down to his knees. DG looked up, her eyes brimming with tears.

"DG. . ."Cain said softly. He watched her face pinch up in pain and then finally fall, letting huge tears fall down her tears. Cain opened his arms and pulled her towards him, allowing her to fall into his arms. The whole scene was reminiscent of that day back in his old house so many months ago. He wrapped her up carefully and let her cry, allowing her to get her pain out, but relieved she was finally allowing him to hold her.

That night DG allowed Cain to sleep in her bed with her. Both lay on opposite sides of the bed, unable to move. However, as the night progressed the space between the two grew closer. It was as if a magnet pulled one to the other, regardless of the pain coursing through their bodies. DG felt Cain's warm body up against hers and she slowly allowed herself the chance to lean back into him. It had been months since she'd even looked at him, let alone allowed him to touch her.

Cain was cautious at first. He felt like he was jumping out of his skin, wanting to pull her close and never let go. However, he knew that slow was the best measure. As he felt her relax under his touch, he began to feel more comfortable. His hands moved over her body, trying to wipe away all the bruises, all the cuts, all the pain. He felt her body loosen and give as he began to wrap his arms safely around her, pulling her in towards him.

As she felt his arms wrap around her she melted back. It was as if the one thing that she was scared of was the one thing that completely saved her. His hands covered hers as she allowed him to weave her fingers in with his. His lips on her neck gave her the type of chills she needed, the kind she'd been missing. She turned over in his arms, locking her eyes with his.

"Let's get married." DG said softly. She waited for Cain to say something, but when he didn't she continued. "We're going to Finaqua tomorrow. We'll have something small. Just a few people. We can put this entire mess behind us and finally move on." She looked at him with optimistic hope. Cain looked at her carefully.

"I don't think it's a good idea." Cain shook his head slowly. "You've been through so much."

"Cain, the only thing to do is to move on and the only way to do that is to be with you. I can't be with you if don't let me."

"Why won't you let me tell you that I'm ready?" She sat up in bed. "Everybody wants me to get better. They want me to put this behind me and move on." Her face pinched up in confusion. "When I do start to move on, people say that I'm moving too fast and I'm going to get hurt. That I just need more time. It's confusing and I don't know what to think.

"I want people to stop looking at me like I'm going to fall apart at any moment. I want you to look at me like it wasn't your fault. I want to be able to have you hold me in your arms and marry me. So," She opened her arms out. "Here I am ready to move on and there you are trying to push me back." She looked at him hoping he'd understand. She watched him staring back at her and hoped and prayed he wouldn't pull away. Cain let out a deep sigh.

"If this is what you want, then I want it to. I just have to make sure you are ready."

"I am." DG said. She reached over and slid her hand on his, weaving her fingers with his. Cain took his spare hand and brushed a few stray strands of hair out of her face. She leaned her face in towards his hand, allowing him to brush a finger on her cheek.

"You know, Glitch wants be flower girl. It would be a shame to disappoint him." Cain said seriously. Although it hurt to do at first, DG grinned from ear to ear, feeling like someone had pulled the pain away and replaced it with light.

It was warm and sunny as the sparse wedding guests turned to face Azkadellia as she walked slowly down the aisle. Her simple sun dress blew in the breeze. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun, with a simple daisy behind her ear. Fresh picked daisies, gathered from a nearby field, filled her hands. She smiled at the few guests that stood around the lake that sparkled in the afternoon sun. She looked up at Cain and winked as she passed by him. He let a small grin escape and Jeb laughed. As his best man, Jeb calmed his father's nerves before the ceremony began. Jeb thought no one could make his father happier than DG and although the age still seemed a bit odd, he still thought they were made for each other. As a lone flute player began the bridal theme, the guests turned and smiled.

"Wow." Glitch sighed as DG walked down the aisle. The simple white dress certainly wasn't the type of dress a royal princess wore, but it was certainly something DG would wear. The white dress hung from her shoulders by two straps and continued downward, stopping a little below her knee. With her hair pulled back in a simple knot, her shoulders were bare in the afternoon sun. Without a hint of lace or a strap of silk, the beauty from the bride was the main focus. With her body nearly healed, few people could even tell what DG had been through. She walked beside her father, her arm linking with his. She made it to the end of the aisle she took a deep breath.

"Are you ok?" Ahamo asked quietly. DG nodded quickly and smiled at her father. Ahamo patted his daughter's arm as he kissed her cheek.

"Thank you." She whispered in his ear. She knew he had the final word when convincing her mother to let the wedding happen. The queen was a stubborn woman, but she was always guided by her husband's words. Reluctantly he allowed Cain to offer his arm towards DG. Throughout the last months, Cain had shown DG's parents what kind of husband he could be. Never leaving her side, never giving up, Cain proved to them that he would never let them down.

DG took Cain's arm as he offered her it. She smiled over at him and felt a rush of joy and hope. Hope that one day, regardless of what pain she may still have inside, she would one day be herself again. On this beautiful, sunny day she was surrounded by people who loved her and protected her and she knew that this journey was far from over.