NOTE:

And so, we reach the final chapter. I can't believe I've COMPLETED a story! I have never written an ending of anything, so sorry if it's awful. Please note that (again) this is not THE end of Haytham and Ziio altogether. So sit back and enjoy the very final chapter of You Have My Word.

Thank you for being so kind and reading. It makes me so happy.

Details of You Have My Word's sequel: 'Everbound' below!

HAYTHAM

I waited until he was completely gone. I even went as far as to stand at the hill and wave Benjamin off. Afterwards I stood by the tree where Ziio was hiding. A moment's silence passed. Then a rustle from the trees. At last, Ziio leapt down from a branch and stormed towards me. I had never seen her more dangerous. Her eyes fiery, her face thunderous. I stood back, stunned.

"I think you owe me an explanation." she growled.

I swallowed hard. "About what?"

"About what?" she scoffed. "About what? I mean befriending the Templars. That man was clearly a Templar, and you spoke to him as an ally? Are you insane?"

"Ziio, Ziio. Calm down. Let me explain-"

"No, I shall not 'let you explain'! Do you not see what complications this will cause? A bond between Templars and Assassins? You cannot push the boundary like that, Haytham. The Assassins and all their allies must be kept away from the Templar Order."

Oh, god...oh no. I have to tell her.

"Ah, well, erm...that's just the problem," I mumbled, looking at the ground.

Tell her the truth.
No!
You must.
I cannot predict how she will react!
You have complicated matters enough. Almost to breaking point. Tell Ziio the truth.

"You see..." My insides squirmed like a swamp. My heart plummeted into my stomach. My mouth trembled open. It drew no air. It breathed no sound.

"Yes?"

"I am no Assassin." I paused, before adding the fateful four words: "I am a Templar."

ZIIO

No.

Haytham's words struck like a thousand arrows.

My spine was swallowed in shock. My entire body quivered like an earthquake. I took one shaky breath...and stood back. Nothing – nothing – had prepared me for this.

"Wh-what?" was all I managed.

But his face was serious. I wanted him to snatch the words back; to wake from this surreal dream.

No. It cannot be true.

Haytham gazed at me sadly, watching the trauma unfold in my face. But it hadn't wrapped itself around my head. This was all too much.

"No..." I said firmly, shaking my head. "No. Impossible. You are an Assassin! Your blades are a gift from their Brotherhood alone!"

He hung his head low; he inspected his wrist blades woefully. When his eyes finally met mine, they sparkled with guilt.

"I-I'm afraid not. I was an Assassin, long ago."

My heart rate tripled in a flash. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't stand. NO.

"You betrayed them?" I squeaked.

He nodded.

"I don't believe it..." My voice was furious; torn between rage and tears. "You LIED to me! You LIED!"

"Yes, I shall admit that I lied. For that, I am sorry. But-"

"And all this time I thought..." My eye let go of its tear. "My goodness. How could you DECEIVE me so?"

"Ziio!" he cried desperately. "Stop! Why the rage? What is wrong with the Templars? All we aim for is to preserve the land!"

"By slaughtering civilians?" My voice rose hysterically. Another tear made its way across my cheek. "My brothers! My father! Koshisigre's father! Must I continue? I can."

"Ziio, please! Listen!"

"Think about it, Haytham. How many innocents have died at the Templars' cruel hands?"

Haytham's irate face turned to a look of shock. He opened his mouth and closed it again. Clearly my words had an impact.

Good. It is the truth.

"You are doing wrong!" I cried. "The Assassins were the ones who preserved the land. You must go back! If it is preservation you seek, the Templars are the wrong Order!"

Haytham looked like he'd swallowed something sour. "I cannot do that! My loyalty is to the Templars. That will never change."

I reached a point where anger was beyond me. Despite my desperate attempts to stop myself, I began to weep silently. "I cannot believe what I am hearing...stop! You're breaking my heart!"

He gasped. "Ziio...I'm sorry..." he placed two trembling thumbs on my cheeks. I felt a tingle of seduction. But it was immediately clouded over by rage. I shook him off and stood back.

"And what was that about land? You have plans to claim it?"

"That is a lie..." he breathed, shuddering.

It was all falling into place, and making me fall with it. "So that is the reason for the destruction by our land. You say you are 'preserving' it. Has it not occurred to you that you have no right to it?!"

Silence.

"First, the land. What next?" I demanded. "Well? What is your next target? The people? Me?!"

"How dare you!" he roared. "I would never dream of harming you!"

I stopped. Seeing Haytham's face, livid as a feral dog, was harming me enough. All speech was past me; I was choking on the despicable truth.

"You just did," I squeaked. "More than I knew pain could hurt."

Silence. My heart pounded like a war drum; my lungs heaved with the weight of it all. Haytham's eyes were slowly welling; mine positively spilling. The truth was closing in. I knew what had to be said.

"Ziio..."

"Leave!" I screamed. "Leave this place and never return! For, if you do, I shall tear out your heart with my own hands!"

Haytham froze with a look of horror. I could hear his own heart beating in time with mine. Without warning, he lunged forward, gripped my back, wrenched me forward and kissed me.

My heart was so loud that I thought it'd explode. I lashed out, struggling to get free. But Haytham's grip was firm; his lips soft. I wanted to run. I wanted to scream; to cry. I was torn between wanting to snatch my knife and stab him...and melting in his arms. This was our last kiss. I could feel it. Senseless, I simply let him squeeze out every last drop of love.

When he finally let go, I wanted to collapse. Through my blurred vision I surveyed his beautiful face. Sad blue eyes twinkling like stars. Lips softer than fruit, wobbling slightly from shock. The proud set of his chin, just like my father's. His gleaming hair. His muscular frame. His warm flesh against mine.

Haytham blinked, turned and began walking away. It was then when I realised what I had just lost: the one love of my life; the one who brought me out of my shell. But already I could feel it closing over again.

Ping. That was my heart as he half-turned, sighed and said: "I will see you safe. You have my word."

And then he was gone.

I wasn't sure what to focus on first: the grief, weakness, confusion, sadness, fear or rage. I could not even cry, nor breathe. I was a damaged woman, collapsing at the scene of a heartbreak.

But what hurt the most was that his last words were the first of comfort he had ever said to me.

"I'll see you safe. You have my word."

The End

That was heartbreaking even to write. Man, I'm so depressed now.

BUT...

To cheer you all up, I'm now going to put down the details of the sequel!

Name: Everbound
Characters: Ziio/Haytham K.
Rated: T (hopefully)
Category: Romance/Drama

Summary: (something along the lines of) Ziio should've died in a fire in 1760. But she was rescued...by former lover, Haytham Kenway. Together, as she heals, they wonder: did they ever truly move on from one another? How many more times will their paths cross? Has destiny bound them together? Rated T for (blah blah blah).

So You Have My Word is finally finished. I wouldn't have even written 2 chapters of it if it hadn't been for you guys. This started off as a bit of fun, and ended up being, like, my life. So thank you. For everything.

I hope you're not heartbroken enough not to read the sequel! Life will get better for Ziio...you have my word!

Love you guys,

Frankie xxx