I was never the type to sacrifice. I knew deep down in my heart that I was selfish and I will choose myself over anyone else in a heartbeat. But then this stupid heart started beating for someone else. I was never the one to even consider that someone will become so important to me that I will not care about my life.
But one thing I was and I will always be is staunch to the person I care for. Let's just say as many reasons Elias gave me to love and live, he gave me strength to die for him as well. I just hope he doesn't take my loss too seriously or maybe I do. I did make him wear the ring so he never forgets about the girl from future, his bodyguard.
I tried to shift positions in the cell but my legs won't allow me as excruciating pain courses through them. I needed to confess my crimes and for that, I went through a brutal phase of interrogation. My legs were tied with heavy iron chains that left injuries. My back hurt because of the whipping that almost tore through my clothes.
The cell was dark with dirty cream walls, grills of iron and cold floor that increased the pain by hundred times. Only light was a torch of fire hanging on the wall outside. Somehow it was calming to see the flickering of orange yellow fire.
But I guess you can't relate with relief I felt the pain as I took every blame for Elias and gave him a strong comeback chance. And there was still another plan in the process. Even with Elias back in position, we still needed the evil magician to be gone and Mel decided to ask for my help in it. It turned out that the plan cannot proceed without me.
My eyes threatened to close with the impending tiredness and a lot of pain but injuries all over made it hard for me to breathe.
I turned stiff at the arriving shadow visible in the firelight. I can't face him now, it will be heartbreaking.
Elias removed the black covering from his face and I was surprised at the fickleness of my heart which surfaced all the feelings on seeing him. Silence echoed around as I stared at his face and he stared at mine. I dare not look at his eyes that might reveal too much and I had no courage to take that all in.
"Alisha." He whispered with a voice thick with emotion.
Without even realising, I bit back a sob. I choose this I will not cry in front of him and make him doubt my decisions.
I argued in my head whether to pretend the evil sorceress that I am or just allow myself the freedom of loving Elias as Alisha. Obviously, I choose the latter.
"I am sorry," I mumble out the words realising my throat was dry and my voice croaking.
My heart clutched painfully in my chest as next thing Elias did was dropping down to his knees with his head hung low in shame.
"Don't make my last minutes painful Highness." I console him with my dry humour he often appreciated.
"Why are you doing this Alisha?" And I choked in surprise as my heart sunk even lower on seeing tears in his eyes.
I had many answers for this questions but I answered it in a simple way.
"Because I love you." My voice came out softer like I was making him understand.
"No, you don't. Making you die in my place will never bring me peace. I will be living like a dead man." He retaliates at my confession.
"But you will live and you will find love again." It rips my hearts to say the words of him finding love again but I say them nevertheless.
"Do you think I would like to live once you are gone?" He snarls at me and then guilt crosses his face for being angry at me.
"You have a kingdom to take care of Elias, I am just a girl out of time." I was trying my best to make him see sense.
"Just a girl Alisha?" He retorts.
I bite my lips too tired and pained to argue.
"Tomorrow is going to be difficult Elias, please go." I plead him and maybe it's the tears in my eyes or the injuries all over me that make him give up.
"I love you." He says softly and I smile, "I know."
"Then you should know how I feel right now and that I can go to any extent to save you."
I inhale sharply at his words.
"Be a wise King Elias," I warn him not to do something stupid.
"You don't tell me what to do Alisha when you are not wise enough yourself." And with that, he left me but not before I saw the tear drop from his eyes.
Well, I could always be the sorceress I am and vanish from the cell but then our second phase of the plan will not work so I was stuck here. So I cry myself to sleep because there is nothing else I could for now.
***
The clanking of prison locks woke me up and my body felt sore. Two guards entered the prison looking a little wary of what I will do. I could kill them in a second without any magic but I did nothing like that.
I am dragged out of the cell rather hatefully, with half covered face and brought to the huge ground with the audience to view my demise and curse me for being who I am. The sharp sunlight makes my eye cringe as I try to live through the immense pain through my body. As I come closer to the wooden pole where I will be tied as Agnes told me. I will probably burn to death as I heard in future.
The reality hits me as an executioner waits for me and my heart aches sharply. I will never see my father again. The pain is too much and I clutch my chest gasping for breath. I gulp and try to look evil but the tears kept pooling my eyes.
I am terrified.
But I am here to stay.
My eyes meet Norman whose eyes were red and puffy. I give him an eye roll not trying to make him feel guilty since this was a plan we all agreed to. Agnes is there looking neutral and I give her a slight head nod. Elias sits on the King's throne but the previous King sits next to him and this fuels my anger. Elias is looking distraught, he is not hiding the pain at all.
The red eyes, the pale face, his lips thinned into a grim line showed he is displeased and in pain.
I am tied to the wooden pool with rough ropes bruising my already injured body. I am standing right in front of Elias and I notice Kirk with a smug smile. Elias' hand gripped the armrest to tight and showed his pale knuckles. He was holding back too many emotions just like I was.
"Such insolent behaviour leads to death as a punishment," Ex-King said who was proved innocent by Kirk also putting all blame on me.
"We need evidence before we make a verdict father," Elias said in a strained voice.
He should not defend me and I glare at him for this which he ignores.
And Agnes did as we planned to burn a ring of fire around me. It was my turn of dialogues now.
"Kill me now before I burn the place down," I smirk as evilly possible.
The crowd around looked appalled at my trick and I sigh at my majestic acting.
Elias is glaring at me with rage and yet there is a softness that I can't miss.
"I trapped the Prince and I can do that again. This time I will start with second Prince." I keep up my acting and a whip hit my back making me eyes water.
Elias from his seat but I beg, plead desperately with my eyes to stay seated.
"Stop this." He yells and people just look at him with sympathy at poor charmed Prince.
"Only if the caster of magic is killed by one they cast magic on, the magic could be finished." Agnes recited the plan in form of refined words.
She was standing next to the Queen who looked equally distraught at my ordeal.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Elias screamed at Agnes.
For now, it will not matter how powerful Elias was, he was under magic effect and he was just a victim right now.
The plan was to make Elias use that darkest of Magic to get rid of both Kirk and Matthew but for that one need to kill the one they hold dearest to heart and in my case, fortunately, and unfortunately I was closest to his heart.
Norman walked closer to his brother and whispered something in his ear. I saw Elias frown then angry and then utterly lost and broken. I had the intense urge to hug him and console him but not when I was the reason for that look.
Elias pulled out his sword and I am both shocked and relieved. Norman did make him realise the importance of the plan and its success and he agreed to kill me. As much as I wanted it I was heartbroken in that moment, to what has this come to. No future, no past. I will be dead to all.
The crowd awaits with cursing and shouting for Elias to kill me. I close my eyes since I can't act brave anymore, I can't look into his eyes anymore or I will shatter into million broken pieces right before I die, I can't see the guilt in his eyes with obvious love, I can't allow him to see what I was feeling.
Even with closed eyes, I could feel his presence, his warmth over me, his silent gaze begging me to look into his eyes.
I open my eyes not able to hold back and even before any of us could think, I pull the sword he is holding towards me with trembling hands. He can't do it, he won't do it. And this just solidifies my love for him and resolve to make the plan successful. He can't do this even if it meant a double victory. I plunged the sword into my heart not aware of the amount of pain it brings.
Elias backs off leaving the sword, horror clear in his eyes. He is crying now in front of the crowd and so am I. The pain was blurring my vision, too much pain clouding my brain but it gradually started fading and I know it was my last breath, I know death came to me before I smile at him and whisper with little-left strength, I love you.
-------------------------------------------
Yeah, so I am really nice this way :)
This chapter needed a lot of description of right emotions and I hope I did right. But this was long so you still have one more chapter before Epilogue comes :D
I might, if I feel encouraged upload the next chapter and Epilogue together ..encouraged being the key word :D
IMP:
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