Wolf-Shifter

Dancing among the Stars 51

Disclaimer: The song: Weight of the World belongs to Evanescence.

Rakab's POV

Feels like the weight of the world,

Like God in heaven gave me a turn.

Don't cling to me, I swear I can't fix you.

I stood, clad in clothes of deep mourning, as the priestesses and elders stood around the body of Namid, spreading incense and murmuring prayers to bless her. The elders had cleaned her up, bandaged the wound and dressed her in a gown of black and a robe of deep blue, the colors of the night sky at twilight. Oh gods, she looked so serene with her hands crossed at the wrist, resting on her chest and her black hair blowing in the slight breeze. The only difference I saw was the lack of life that usually sparked in her eyes and the porcelain-white of her skin that shone in the light of the blood-red sunset.

Strange color for the sky tonight, for innocent blood has been spilt to fulfill a prophecy. Paid with Namid's life, her body, her soul, and her blood…it wasn't fair.

Still in the dark, can you fix me?

Freefall, freefall, all through life.

Around me, people were weeping and some praying to the gods for peace; I saw the familiar faces of our childhood bullies even shedding a few tears, which surprised me.

The most painful sight however was of Kamaria, sobbing and crying out to the Alphess, "She can't be dead! Not my cub!" As she struggled through the crowd, she kept calling out to the elders, "Let me see her, please just let me see her!" Yiska held Kamaria close and tried to consol her as she wept, but I could see just how much his daughter's death pained him. Yiska's eyes, once sparkling silver, were now a stone-like gray and he no longer had certain joyfulness in his movements like he usually did. There was an elderly appearance to him, as if the news of Namid's death had aged him.

I felt a pang of guilt for the parents and wished I could take it all back; it was my fault after all that Ralon had met Namid.

If you love me, then let go of me.

I won't be held down by who I used to be.

The Alphess stood to address her people, "My heir, Namid Kai, daughter of Kamaria and Yiska of the Lupine, and mother of Rose Kai Cobriana," I saw her nod to the princess who stood by Nyesh and Salem before continuing, "died four days ago while at Wyvern's Court. She did not die because of sickness or childbirth but because of love."

The Alphess nodded, and allowed to me to speak, there were gasps of surprise from the crowd, and murmurings, but all soon hushed as I spoke, "I was her friend from the time she was three years old, and I miss her bitterly. I missed her even when I was fleeing, and, for four hard years, I stayed away. When I saw her again, she had already been betrothed to Salem Cobriana. She stayed with my group and me for a few days and once she was settled in with the Court and Salem, I left. For sixteen years she stayed, and one night, Ralon of the Sheeva Intre, my troupe, the one who had forever hated me and the Lupine, for reasons I do not know, attacked Wyvern's Court many times. Rose and Nyesh, Namid, Salem and I escaped Ralon's tricks but one night he attacked again--this time leaving my son with a limp-- We tried to keep her alive-- but we could do nothing as she died…" My voice cracked as I continued, "It broke my heart to know I had been betrayed and that she, my friend, was the one who was willing to die so I could live."

She's nothing to me.

My mind screamed for me to forget her that hanging on would only make it worse yet my heart drowned out that scream and I smiled slightly, knowing I still loved my friend and that she was in peace.