Thought/Flashback/Dream

Chapter 23

"You aren't' escaping now" Roderick said as he grabbed her arm and spin her around to face him. He followed her to her room, anger had been growing in him since Elmont said thThe words he said to him and the way he act so calm just angered him more

"What do you want from me you..."

"Watch your mouth!"

"Let me go. I know very well that you were the one who send that man to kill me! And when I tall my father...

"He what? what do you think he will do? You didn't said to your father, why?" Elissa gritted her teeth and step away from him "because you think and you know very well he wouldn't believe you, he would listen to me when I would said it was another of your tentative to sabotage The wedding..."

"I have The dagger, your dagger!"

"And still you didn't used it" he smiled triumphant and step closer to her "Don't be a fool, you think you can win this game? Against Me?"

"I can and I will!" Roderick laughed.

"Listen to me, and listen very closely. You will marry me, after, you can fuck anyone that you want but first you will marry me"

"And if I say no? If I sabotage the wedding, what can you do?"

"You will regret it…" Roderick smirked "I know about you and Elmont, I know every little thing…" her eyes turn wide with surprise, he couldn't know… Roderick approached her and whispered, he like the panic in her eyes. How much he loved the power "I know what you did with him, I know that you fucked him and you liked it. I know how much you love you sister" He paused savoring every word "You will regret it, I can kill you precious Captain or even you beloved sister… Who do you prefer to go first? Isabelle? Or maybe Elmont"

"You can't!" Elissa stepped back. Roderick smile triumphantly.

"Are you sure?" Something in his eyes made her believe in him, every word he had said was true and she could see it. Fear started to grow inside of her. But how could he know? "Do something. I want Elmont far from you as for your sister, well, I will let you keep her but she can't know anything. Did you hear me?" Elissa shudder, before she could say anything she sighed deeply.

"Do you think I will do what you want? It seems…"

Roderick grabbed her by her arms and pulled her closer, with clenched jaw. Elissa could feel his fingers slowly sinking in her flesh. She was closer than she ever had been, his hot breath making her blood run cold, his eyes showed to her how much he was wit and cruel and make her realize he hasn't been joking, in fact, Roderick wasn't a person to joke.

"Think again... But think carefully"

Elissa closed her eyes and imagine what he could do to Elmont or even Isabelle. An image came to her mind, Elmont's lifeless body wrapped in her arms as blood keep running from his body and Isabelle in the cold hard floor, stabbed by a dagger.

Elissa felt her body temperature drop; she fought dizziness and for a minute closed her eyes to regain composure.

"You wouldn't…" panic was present in her voice, when a smile appeared in his face and his eyes flashed dangerously she try to make him let her go but Roderick tightened the hold he had in her. Elissa bit her one lips to hide a cry of help that threat to escape, she could taste blood in her mouth.

Someone knock at the door and with speed Roderick let her go, Elissa stumble.

"Princess?" It was Elmont. Panic rise in her when she saw Roderick smiling and approaching the door. When he opened the door Elmont looked darkly to him, his beautiful eyes travel to Elissa and silently he asked her what Roderick was doing in her bedroom.

Elmont saw her eyes, saw the way she had her arm close to her chest, and saw the fear in her eyes, the sadness, he looked again to Roderick and anger rise in him.

What had he done to Elissa?

"Captain, what are you doing where? No one asked for you…" Elmont opened his mouth to respond but Roderick cut him "No worries… Elissa said she wanted to say something to you, Captain. It seems important…" Roderick looked at her, his eyes burn with victory.

"What happen, Princess?" He asked dangerously low, Elmont's skin became scarlet and Elissa realized the effort her was doing to control the rage he was feeling.

Elissa closed her eyes and swallowed.

For days she discovered the happiness of being loved and love someone, it was a great pleasure to her heart to know, even feel Elmont at her side in every instant. However, hearing Roderick threatening the lives of the two most important people in her life, Elissa knew she would rather hurt him and know he would be alive then know he could be dead; he could die because of her.

Her grey eyes found Elmont's; Elissa knew she loved him, so much or even more, if that was possible.

Roderick raised his hand toward Elissa, smirking, his eyes sparkled dangerously and she knew she could not back down after all the live of Elmont and Isabelle were in danger and so she started to lift her hand.

What could she do beyond what Roderick asked her?

Elissa felt the blue-green eyes upon her and all her resolutions were reduced to ashes; she longed to run to him and fall in the comfort of his arms and forget everything.

Her hand stopped in the air; slowly she let it fall beside her. Elissa shook her head, tears threatening to fall.

How could she hurt him? What could she do if not hurt him? What could she do keep him away from her and live? It was the only option...

"What happen, Elissa?" asked Roderick.

"Please get out..." her voice trembled.

"We talked about..."

Elissa saw Elmont closed fist and wondered how much longer he would hold without interfere and cause a tragedy. Elissa took a deep breath and insisted curtly.

"Get out… Please!" Roderick faced Elmont and then he faced her.

"You know what you have to do!" he said growling menacingly.

When the door closed behind Roderick, Elmont's voice sounded enriched and even hurt, he knew something wasn't right and he was afraid to know.

"What happen, Elissa?" Elmont approached her "He doesn't have the right to impose any opinion to you" Elissa slip away from him, escaping from his arms that were trying to capture her.

His gorgeous eyes showed his sorrow before her withdrawal.

"Elissa…" he whispered.

"Stop!" Elissa spoke, on the verge of despair. Elmont stopped and stared at her, Elissa's body trembled. She couldn't hurt him, but Roderick's words hunted her mind.

Her eyes were full of despair and made him feel hopeless.

"Tell me what he told you. I swear I'll kill him" Elissa looked at him with wide eyes full of panic.

"No…" Elissa nervously clasped hands "You cannot do that..."

"Tell me what's wrong, Elissa!" She shook her head and in that instant that moment an idea came to Elmont's head "He threatened you..." Elissa's heart threatened to stop. In that moment he believed he was right "I love you Elissa! That will never change" She looked at him at the same moment that he pulled her for an embrace "And you love me! Say what you want, but your eyes can't lie! I'm here for you, tell me everything... we can overcome…"

Emotions blocked her mind when she heard those words from Elmont.

Elmont lifted her face and their lips met. She responded with the same passion that he imposed. His warm lips somehow slowly make her forget the treat that was upon him; Elissa kissed with passion and felt his tongue asking for entrance that gladly she gave.

It was the last time... The last time she would give in; the last time she would feel her frantic, happy heart. It would be the last time she would love him.

"Stop..." she whispered as he slid his mouth along her throat, over the thrumming flutter of her pulse and to her jaw.

"No..." her fingers buried in his shoulder, she wanted to move away and say they couldn't be together, she wanted to save him but it was so good to feel him close.

"Please..." Elissa gasped, when he looked deep into her eyes and was in that moment Elissa found strength to get away from him. Elmont again saw the desperation in her eyes gray "We can't be together" Elmont's body tense and Elissa step away from him, positioning herself near the window. Elissa looked out the window; it was easier to look at everything but him.

"I do not know you" murmured. Elmont's expression was a mix of desire, frustration and suffering. He was breathing heavily and refused to accept what he heard, seeking a justification for Elissa's behavior.

Who are you?

Where was the determined woman he loved?

"There are difficulties that cannot be overcome" to hear those words caused pain in his chest. She could not be serious...

"What difficulties, Elissa?" When he spoke, he did so in an eerily calm tone "None of that matters to me, and has never been important to you. Since the beginning, the difficulties were there and we both knew. What are you trying to do?" When he saw her body shake and Elissa take her arm to her chest, he thought of Roderick "It is because of Roderick you are doing this? Tell me what He told you..." ordered.

"No!" She shouted tormented, turning her body toward Elmont, eyes wide with fear "Don't force me to do this..."

Elmont remained silent for some time, while trying unsuccessfully discovery the words spoken by Roderick...

His silence was worse for her than anything else but when Elmont spoke, did again in a calm tone.

"I understand that you will not say anything" unexpectedly, he advanced and grabbed her wrist, pulling her against him "...Doesn't matter" despite those words had left his mouth, the truth was very different "I should be the one to protect you, because if it was enough he wouldn't have tried to kill you" Near his chest, Elissa dropped the tears that she kept with great determination "if my love was enough to keep you safe and happy, you wouldn't be in danger, you wouldn't be unhappy now. If my Love had been enough..."

"Your love was enough..."

You made me happy...

"Then look me in to my eyes and just end everything, Elissa... Isn't that what you're trying to do?" The tears made her vision blurred but she could still see the desperation in his eyes... "Speak!" Elissa looked with great difficulty to Elmont's eyes; he was her protection, her refuge, her liberty, her passion... "I'm waiting... Please tell me!"

Elissa opened her mouth decided to do what she had to do, but stayed quiet. She loved him with all the strength of her being and could never deny it. Elissa believed she would never tell him otherwise. Elmont looked at her carefully, studying her.

Elmont released her slowly and breathed deeply, forcing himself to regain calm and control his emotions.

The only reason he could find to prove Elissa's behavior was Roderick, he was the only reason.

He threatened her...Son of a…

"Why you not confess the real reason you said this nonsense and end up with our torment? Roderick threatened you, didn't he? You're afraid he does something, you fear for me and your sister... I know you, Elissa!"

And he knew... Too well! Her astonishment was so explicit that confirmed his suspicions. Elmont cursed angrily and turned his back, gripping his head in his hands, as if he feared that it would burst. Elissa remained where she was, too consumed with sorrow to say something.

"I cannot bear to see you cry" he whispered "Your father is my King, since I began my training to be a knight I left behind my family… I have responsibilities" gestured discouragement, before diving into to her eyes "you know how proud of being a knight I am, being a protector of your family, having reached…" he took a deep breath "I'm willing to end it all, to give up everything, if I have to do it, to stay by your side. Resign my post, and before your father… I will end the threat that prevents..."

As Elissa was decided to sacrifice her happiness so that Elmont could live, he also wanted to give up everything... for her.

Elissa was forced to react. She could never accept what he intended to do. If he asked, after giving up the guard, her hand, questions would be raised and the King never would accept it. The nobles would raise questions, Roderick would do anything so she couldn't be happy, would do anything to kill him. King could never accept someone who may have dishonored her daughter while he was supposed to be protected her, while he was forbidden to get involved with her. Elmont would be considered a traitor, even if there were no evidence the King would be forced to act, before Roderick's arguments. Apart from that Roderick was still a threat, unless Elmont pretended...

No...

"Go back to your men, Captain!" Elissa ordered, her voice cold, determined to end with "our torment," as he asked her "Go back to your post. Find a woman who loves you as much as you deserves, and can give to you sons and happiness... Forget me, Elmont! Your destiny isn't me" A single tear slid down her face.

"Is that what you wish?" Elissa faced his beautiful eyes that she loved so much; she knew that the moment was decisive and final.

No

"Yes…" replied firmly "is what I wish"

"As you wish, Princess…" his voice was hoarse. Like a dream, Elissa saw Elmont nod and leave. The door slammed and she was alone... alone to spend the rest of her days, with only the comfort of knowing that he would be alive and happy, even though with another woman in his arms.

He would suffer, would hurt him but it would disappear in the instant he find someone.

Elissa sustained herself up against the chair that was in front of the window, then she sat, tears flowed down her face, shaken by desperation.

The door opened, and Elissa wanted to be Elmont, wanted to be embraced by him, but it was Roderick. He knelt in front of her.

"Elissa, quickly you will agree it's the best" he smiled triumphantly and his hand stroked her face "you will see that you will soon forget him"

Elissa snap his hand away from her, glaring Roderick with hatred in her eyes.

"You're just a bitter, dry and miserly man! I fulfilled your will and abdicated love... Sure you do not know what love is but do not you dare think that you will win something from me if not my hatred.

Roderick's astonishment only lasted a few seconds and Elissa saw his eyes change. She knew him better that most, she knew his true nature.

"I don't care what you say, for now you are here alone" he gestured indicating that he spoke of her room "but there will be the day you wish you had said something different"

Roderick rose, leaving the room. When she heard the door being closed, Elissa ran to lock it and let herself drown in despair.

I'm sorry for this chapter and tell me what you think... Please...