Sword and Shield (GxG)

Chapter Seven : The Curse : Varied

[Rikhata-Nia]

"You what?" I turned around.

"What is going on? You look like you've seen a ghost so start translating" Akyra prodded, nudging my arm. 

"Holy god..." I breathed.

"They were laughing. I refuse to love someone who laughs at cold blooded murder" Evangaline shook her head firmly, her hands clenched into fists. 

"Who would have thought, the princess has a mind of her own" I half sneered, half laughed. She met my eyes with passionate hate.

"You are truely wicked. You're amused by this? You killed an innocent creature! And you think this is a joke?!" 

"I hate to agree with you, but you are right. It is a disgusting practice. But it was either that or cause war. One death to thousands. I know you're not the smartest person alive, but you have to understand that I could not avoid it"

"So I will be killed like this once you die? It is rather an honor to die like that, and it is far better than waiting out our lives with no pourpose" Akyra interupted. I regarded her with astonishment.

"You would let someone kill you like this? For fun?!" I exclaimed.

"Think about the alternitive. We can live out our lives and die as animals. Dying to the future leader of my homeland is no offence, not to me. I dont think it was for amusment either. When a falcon leaves their nest for their first hunt they bring back a live animal to be killed in view of others. It is a right of passage. You have just completed your first hunt. It is an accomplishment, and a unicorn... To tell your enemies that you've killed a unicorn. They would respect you" Akyra explalained.

"Falcons have rituals like that?" I scowled. Akyra snorted. "Guess you've never been a normal falcon, have you?"

"Dont know. I was a falcon this morning, and I was suddenly a... This-" Akyra gestured to herself "in your caves. This whole ritual is such a fantastical arangment. Dont even try to explain it" Akyra shrugged her wings.

"What are you saying! Do you even care you're a muderer?!" Evangaline spat at me.

"I was talking to Akyra. She has a valid point. It is a right of passage"

"It is murder!" I realized something when she said that and could only contain my laughter for a moment before it all escaped. "What is your problem?!"

"You disagree with traditional practices. Some would call you demonic if you do not believe what you're told" 

"This is different!"

"Oh?"

"It is killing! It is taking a life!"

"And if you were to spend your life with the man from the North? Would that not be taking your life?"

"Stop it!"

"Why? Because you are too scared to believe yourself?" 

"Because you are wrong! Because you are a criminal and a witch!"

"And what about you? Not wanting to be married? That is a direct disobidience to tradition. And disagreeing with this ceremony? The only difference between is that I will not hate you. At least not because you speak your will" 

"You are a devil!" Evangaline screamed. 

"And there it is. Tell me. Do you hate me because of my sexuality, or because you are told that my sexuality is a sin?" I mounted Akyra and flew away from Evangaline. Let her think about that. Let it haunt her when she desires sleep.

[Evangaline]

What does she mean? Her loving another woman is wrong. It doesnt matter what others tell me, the fact that she and Lilian are together is wrong. And they torture me. Their unholy connection is never absent in my thoughts. Thinking of the image I saw when we met: when Lilian kissed Rikhata, I see it whenever I see her and it ears me apart. I can hear her. No its not in my thoughts anymore. I hear her voice, Lilian's, and another... A male... I hid behind a stack of crates, probably full of armor and trade goods. I didnt see much, and their words were blurred together, but as they passed me I realized it was a Northern man, known from a sword insignia on his arm band, and he held his arm around Lilian's waist. I felt a flash of hatred. Why do I care if she is cheating? And with a man... I should be happy... So why dont I care that Lilian has amended herself? And why dont I feel pleasured that Rikhata will pay for her crime? I sighed. I started walking back to where my mother was, knowing the two would see me. 

"Lilian" I smirked at her surprised face. But she wiped it away in a flash. "I'm sure your woman would find this an offence, and from what I saw you should get her mad" Lilian laughed.

"She wont believe you. I control her. She is mine to use. I say you die, and you die. And no matter what you say to her she will not believe you, and she will believe you are making a fool of her" the Northern man smirked. It was the prince. One of the men I could have been married to. As much as I hate to admit it: Rikhata was right about one thing: one should be free to give their love as they please. And worse: her bewitching words have caught me without a way out. I believe her. She has done no wrong. But even so, she is a witch! But how can that be? She is normal... No. No. No. No. No. No! I will not allow myself to accept she is good. But she is... She cant be! 

"Goodnight, princess" Lilian bowed in mockery, a devilish smirk on her face. Rikhata does not deserve someone like her... What am I thinking?! I screamed to myself.

"And best wishes to the suitors" the Northern prince also bowed falsely, then both walked away. 

**So... What'd ya think? I wasnt actually planning this plot twist but I came up with it and it is the perfect reason for.... Spoiler... PSYCH! Ha ha sorry but you'll have to bear more reading before you find out what marvelous ideas lurk inside my dirty little teenage mind >:3 jk its not that... Or is it? 80% chance of a no :)