It was an extremely cold and rainy week, as if the sky was weeping for Anna. When we found her body, we took her back to the kingdom and arranged the funeral one day later.
It was so depressing. I could hold myself during burying her body, but I burst out of tears when people began to leave. There was just me, the leader, Finn and Carla. And I was mad at every one of them, because they didn't offer help when she was missing the first days. If they did anything, if they moved quickly, nothing if this would happen. I shouldn't blame the twins, though. Because they were so busy, someone gave them amounts of work and papers and ordered them to finish it in haste. They were busy even during the funeral day because as soon as everyone left, they also took their leave.
I was standing there with the leader who was throwing glances at me from time to time.
What the hell was wrong with him?
I waited for him to go and let me have more time with Anna, but he just stood there idiotically.
Eventually, he got closer and said. "Can we talk?"
I gave him a murderous glare. "No, we can't."
"Diana. pl_"
"Don't ever mention my name," I shouted. "From now on, you've nothing to do with me. So leave me alone."
His lips parted in shock, so I took the chance and walked away.
Behind the trees, there was a familiar person sitting with his body directed to the grave. He looked so sorrowful. I thought that I saw him somewhere, but because of the headache I had from crying so much, my mind could process nothing at all. It took me some moments to remember. Right! That night at the party, a gentleman asked Anna for a dance. They spent the whole night together and she said he was the love of her Life. Poor him, he lost her as I did. He looked like he just wanted to die.
I breathed deeply and forced myself to sit near him. He, for sure, needed to hear something comforting.
He was holding a little box in his hand. Opened it and closed it, then opened it and closed it continuously. He kept doing this nonstop.
"I was going to propose," he suddenly said before I even could have a seat.
"Huh?" I asked.
"I was going to ask her for her hand."
Oh my god! That's even more tragedy and it forced the tears in my eyes.
"I'm really sorry."
"That's not your fault."
Right, it's the leader's fault.
"She was everything and the only thing I wanted," he cried again. "Was this necessary to happen? It wasn't that hard, keeping her alive, we could've been together untill our last breath. She'd never leave my embrace and I'd see her golden hair and rosy cheeks in our babies, they'd be so adorable because she'd be their mother. Was it so difficult to happen? God, was it hard to keep her alive?"
Now, we both were sobbing. However, I'd never understand his pain. I lost my best friend, but he lost his soul mate. He wanted to have kids with her for the heaven's sake. Would he be heartless like the leader after this? Wait, why am I thinking about him now!? I shook my head and looked at the man. "She was doing her duty, that's a Nobel death and you should be proud of her."
"I know," he sighed. "I just wanted to talk about her."
"You're with the right person."
He told me about their story since the first day. He met her at the market, she was smiling charmingly that he fell head over heels for her and followed her everywhere. She noticed that and gave him the same smile every time with warm glances, and he waited for an opportunity to talk to her. That was in the party when they had the dance. He knew the kind of person she was, which made him fall harder for her. They spent the whole night dancing and talking and it made him only think. "Goodness, I want her to be by my side for the rest of my life." so he confessed his feelings and she accepted them gladly.
I wiped my tears telling myself that at least she was so loved before she passed away. That was unfair for that guy, though.
After he poured all his agony out, he excused himself and left. I sighed and left as well. I was exhausted and all I wanted was to sleep for a month or for eternity, since everything was screwed up. I had to go to Anna's house which was unbearable at some point, staying at Anna's place without Anna. I had no right to be there, but still I had nowhere to go. I just forced myself.
***
I didn't leave the house for days, because well, I wasn't motivated to do anything. I was done, I was grieving and I only wanted to be left alone. I wish the leader could understand this, he came three times to 'check on me' as he claimed. I didn't answer, of course, till the fourth time. I decided to open the door and yell.
"Leave me alone." Without looking at the visitor.
"Calm down, Diana."
"oh, Finn."
I felt really embarrassed for saying that. He'd think I finally lost my mind.
"Are you expecting someone?" he asked.
"No," I shook my head. "It's just that I'm not in mood to expect any visitors."
"Oh, then I'll take my leave."
"No, no, no. just stay. You're welcomed."
That was a bit awkward, but he made himself in. Until then, I realized that the whole house was messed up, as if a tornado hit the place. And not to mention my miserable appearance. I looked around and thought, maybe I could save the situation. "I'm sorry for the chaos here." I began getting few stuff from the floor.
"Eh, it's fine," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm here to make sure you're fine."
"Kind of," I sighed. "Did you come by yourself?"
"Yes, why?"
"I don't know, there was a dark cloud that doesn't want to leave me alone lately."
"You know dark clouds always come with rain later and it's certainly necessary."
"No, it's an evil one. Anyway, have a seat. I'll make some tea."
"Don't bother yourself. I'm leaving now since I'm so busy lately."
"Doing what?"
"Work_ hey do you want to join me at the library? You may help me and refresh."
I didn't see Finn's library in like forever, since he used to disappear a lot and I had no time to visit. So I agreed.
***
I took a book and sat in a corner reading, while he was busy with his paperwork in the comfortable silence. I loved the cozy and warm feeling of the library, especially that it was raining outside. That fresh scent of November.
I had been going there for couple of days, when Finn finally decided to speak and forget about the work he had. I admit that I was so curious to know what he was doing and sometimes, I had thought of taking peeks when he wasn't aware. But, nah that should be a private matter.
That day he organized his papers and put them in a thick file, he replaced it in a shelf full of other files and stretched his body saying. "Finally."
"Are you done with it?" I asked.
"Not really," he sighed. "I want to take a break."
"I'll bring some tea." I said heading the heater.
After I brought two cups, I placed his in front of him. When a lock of my hair fell on my face, he reached it with his tip fingers and looked at me with a new strange way. "You know, Diana." he whispered. "I have always admired you."
That was so awkward to the point that I didn't know what to say. I stepped back and pulled the chair.
"Um, thank you." I replied as I sat down.
"Not this way," he chuckled. "I always thought that you were someone incredible. You never give up, you stand for yourself and for people you care about. Plus, you're so adorable."
I remained silent. Was he just telling me this to cheer me up or was he really confessing?
He noticed my confusion and said. "That was a confession, I'm telling you about the way I feel for you."
"Oh, Finn. I'm sorry_"
"Don't be, really. I know your heart belongs to someone else. I don't want be the barrier in your way, both."
"Our ways! But, wait. How did you know?"
"The way you look at each other, and lately he had been asking a lot about you and making sure that you were fine."
"Leo did that?"
I couldn't help but wonder what did he want to say? I mean I was mad at the leader, that's why he was trying to check on me. Finn got the wrong idea.
"It's not like what you think." I said.
"What is it?"
"I mean about Leo and I. maybe I made it too obvious, but he's heartless."
"That's exactly what he said, you think he's heartless and it bothers him a lot."
"He said! Did you talk? What did he say other than this?"
"Did I say that?" he sounded troubled. "No, l never met him and we never talked."
Then he held himself and ran to one of those shelves. "Oh, look! I have more work to do."
I sighed. "Okay, I'm going home."
I decided to erase this idea completely out of my head, Finn's confession and whatever he said about the leader. I had enough of everything and was really getting sick.
The next day Carla was there with her twin brother, and the papers everywhere. I wished I'd know what were they working hard on, but I had no rights to ask. I pulled a new book and sat in my corner reading. Carla saw me, she waved, I waved back, then we both kept doing what we were doing. I was so bored and overwhelmed with all the negative thoughts. I missed Anna a lot, so why I was trying to lose myself with something. Not practicing, because I'd meet the leader there. Not at her house, because it's filled with her scent, it's her house after all. I had nothing else except reading books and looking at the window fantasizing, this got me back to my old life when I had a family and normal boring time.
At night, I exited the library and headed home feeling truly horrible. Because I was so done. During my way back I thought about Anna and all her memories flashed in my mind, since my first day in Infenya, which made me think about my family. I missed all of them so bad, I felt so lonely and like I had nobody. That was so true, though. I had no one.
I started to cry after that. I tried hard to prevent myself, but that wave of sadness was too strong to resist. I sat down to regain energy and pull myself together, when a shadow stood in front of me. I raised my head to ask them what they wanted from me but I saw him, Leo standing next to me. Okay, I'd save more words and tell him to get lost.
Before I could utter any word, he held my shoulders with both of his hands and pulled me gently to stand up. He was so close that I lost the ability to talk.
"You can't always run away from me" he said.
I was too exhausted to resist, so I just stood there listening and thinking that he was absolutely right.
"There's a lot of explanation to do," he added. "But I'll save this for later. Now I want to make things right. I'm sure about the way I feel, I know what I need."
"What?" It was all I could say.
His hands covered my cheeks and with his thumbs, he wiped the tear drops that were stuck under my eyes. "I need you."
Was he serious?
He was approaching dangerously every second, until our foreheads were against each other. He held my waist and stared at my lips. I knew how this was going to end. I gave up instantly and melted down under the effect of his touches and words.
With his free hand, he brushed my bottom lip and whispered. "May I?"
So numb to answer, but the inner me forgot all the madness and shouted, yes. Yes. Yes!
I nodded in agreement.
He leaned down and captured my lips with his. It felt like fireworks starting inside me, but I decided to do something as well. Unlike the last time, I kissed back. Our shivering lips were aching for more, so he deepened the kiss, closing the gap between our bodies and I wrapped my arms around his neck.
Everything was so slow and pleasant, until Leo bit my lower lip and brushed it with the tip of his tongue. Unwillingly, I made a noise at the back of my throat. He took that chance to part my lips and explored my mouth. That's when I lost my breath and the essences of what surrounded us. My lungs and heart already burst out.
We broke apart gasping for air, otherwise we'd be stuck there forever. I wouldn't mind, but there were lots of things to know. For example, the main reason of this kiss.
He looked at me differently this time. not an empty death glare, but a warm concerned look that made my body tremble and wanting more of him.
He cleaned his throat and said. "now you belong to me."
I sucked in a breath, looking down and blushing so hard. I took a moment to regain my consciousness then said. "Now, explain, please."
"You ruined the moment," he scowled. "But yes, you deserve to know."
I nodded smiling.
"Simply, I read Anna's journals in order to find her_"
"What did you do?" I shouted.
"I had no choice."
"No, not about this. I mean you tried to find her?"
"Trust me, Diana. I did my best and all of it was for you."
My heart skipped a beat to this, but I felt really horrible for thinking that he did nothing at all. I really hated and ignored him those days only because of that.
"I'm really sorry." I whispered feeling like crying.
"For what?"
"Everything."
He held my face staring into my eyes. "It was just a misunderstanding." and pulled me for a warm hug.
"So what did you find in her journal that made you this_ this soft?"
"your affection to me."
"What!?" I stepped back feelings as embarrassed as hell.
Leo shrugged laughing. "Anna said that, isn't it true?"
"It is." I smiled answering.
"Alright, it's getting cold. Let's go back home." he said taking my hand toward his horse, while my mind was drifting away. I had no idea how to act with him anymore, what were we exactly? Especially that he called me his. How about that princess? Did he finally forget her? My mind stopped functioning for a moment because of the huge amount of questions.
"Stop thinking," he cut my thoughts. "Now let's just concentrate on ourselves and our future."
Did he just say our future?
I shook my head. No, he meant the future of the kingdom of course.
***
In front of Anna's house, Leo helped me to get down from his horse. He held my waist and raised me higher in the air. Without breaking the eye contact, he laid me down then pressed a soft kiss on my forehead.
Aww that was so cute.
He held my gaze again and said. "If you feel lonely you can come with me."
My cheeks reddened quickly. "You mean to your place. No thanks, I'm fine."
He giggled. "What's going on in that little head of yours?"
Surely he read my thoughts. "Nothing," I looked at the sky dramatically. "Oh look, it's so late and I'm so tired. I better go."
"Sure, you need some rest."
I nodded awkwardly and ran inside.
I slammed the door behind me and leaned over it, thinking, wow this really happened! Wasn't it a dream, right? Nah, everything felt so real, fantastically real.
"Thank you Anna." I whispered to her because I knew she was watching, she did this. I just knew that she was responsible for she didn't want me to be left by my own.
The next morning I woke up with a kind of thrill moving within me, I felt alive after a long while of emptiness. Was it real what happened a night before? I kept telling myself that it wasn't a dream. I would lose my mind if it was. I woke up actively thinking about what to do today. It was so cold, I thought that maybe I'd just stay at home, drink tea and_ well, I had no idea. There was no TV in Infenya.
I pulled the curtains of the window to let the tiny shimmer of the sunshine in, when I saw him; Leo was standing next to the house with his horse. What was he doing there? I rubbed my eyes well in case I was hallucinating. But no, he was still there, and I was so messed up to go out and greet him. I started to close the curtains slowly, but unfortunately he spotted me and grinned widely.
I sighed and decided that if he really wanted me, as he said the night before, then he'd want me in all my best and worst cases. This thought encouraged me, so I got out to meet him.
He looked so gorgeous as always, but this time there was a new touch, his smile was so wide and bright.
His eyes met mine as soon as I showed up, sending chills to my body, he said. "Good morning, beautiful."
Okay I'm not going to get used to this, Where's the badass Leo? The soft one doesn't suit me.
"Hey," I replied awkwardly. "So what brought you here?"
Dumb question, I know.
He rubbed the back of his neck looking at the other side, probably cursing me under his breath, and then said. "Well, there's a meeting concerning the secret of phantoms and the next battles. I thought that now you can join us."
"Really?" I jumped out. "But who will be there?"
"Carla, Finn and I."
"They were working hard on something secret. I shouldn't be there."
He came two steps closer and placed his hands on my shoulders. "It is a secret, but I trust you."
I could cry of how cute he sounded. "Finally, I could earn your trust."
"And my heart." he smirked.
I didn't know how to reply to this, I just smiled while from the inside, I was screaming.
"I'll be there," I finally said. "Just give me a minute to get ready."
"Of course."
I hurried inside, put on my costume_ no need for weapons and gathered my hair in the messiest bun and looked at the mirror. God, I looked like a zombie. I wasn't going on a date, though. I was going for the future of Infenya, so there was no need to look nice. After encouraging myself, or more like, lying to myself I got out to find Leo still standing on the same spot.
"Shall we go?" he asked and I nodded.
Our direction was Finn's study, he should be there with Carla waiting. I knew that they'd be so surprised when they see me, because it was their secret and then I just interfered and put my nose in their work. The look on their faces said that all as soon as I got in with Leo. He noticed that too, so he rested his hand on my back and cleaned his throat before he spoke. "Diana will join us today."
They were still staring blankly.
"She's with me." he added.
The empty expression on Carla's face was replaced by an evil, knowing smirk. As if she knew exactly what he meant, while Finn was still ignorant, or he was just acting to be.
"Of course," Carla pulled the chair. "Diana. Have a seat please."
I nodded smiling and took it. "I've to know what you are doing first."
"Our final plan. After this, phantoms will be just a memory." she was gesturing with her hands dramatically.
That was awesome, but I needed a specific answer. I couldn't ask more, since I didn't want to be so nosy.
"Diana." Leo called as he sat next to me. "The secret of phantoms. Do you want to know it?"
"Sure, I mean who doesn't?"
"They're all cursed, the theory of Finn is proved. They are cursed people for more than twenty years, maybe there was a nation living in the forbidden area_"
"Or a cemetery." Finn cut him.
"Yes, as Finn said. We're not too sure about it, but we know what is important thanks to our genius Finn."
Finn smiled proudly. "I'm not alone in this, but I take the compliment. Thank you."
"Do you know who cursed them?" I asked.
They all shook their heads in disapproval
"we don't need to know that" Carla said "we know that we must make our last battle as soon as possible because we can't handle more losses or any other attack from phantoms. Infenya is in a really critical sitiuation right now"
"So what will you do?"
"We thought of potions," Finn answered. "But it didn't work on them, so only fighting will solve it. We may lose a lot of warriors but we have no choice."
"You mean killing them all?"
"Since they're unable to breed, yes."
"Sorry, but that's ridiculous."
Leo was reading some file, he laughed when he heard me and said. "You're right, Diana."
Aww, really?
"I'll lose all my people in this last battle."
Finn pressed his lips into a thin line, he seemed to be a little annoyed. He crossed his arms. "Then what do you suggest, young lady?"
"Fire," I replied. "Set the whole place on fire."
I didn't know how this came out, but it seemed like the finest idea. If we didn't want to lose anyone, just burn the forest and let all phantoms die and keep Infenyans safe.
They all looked at me like I was retarded or something. "What? did I say something wrong?"
"No!" Carla yelled. "Diana. That's a great idea! How did you think of it?"
"I don't know, it just came out."
"I guess that staying with me for few days made you acquire some of my intelligence." Finn said.
This boy.
I looked at Leo and asked. "So, Leo. What do you think?"
He lowered his head looking so thoughtful for a minute, then lifted it up. "It will work."
"Really?" I could fly with happiness.
"Yes, I knew that bringing you here will be so useful."
Finn brought more paper and pens. "Alright, let's start our plan. Everything has to be so perfect. No mistakes."
We spent few more days working on that plan, though it was as simple as it seemed. Just burning the whole place, but we needed material and people for that. We also needed to set the time, the date, the spots to burn. A lot of calculation that should be done first. Well, Finn took care of that with his twin sister, while Leo and I were trying to introduce the last battle and its methods to the warriors. I felt really swollen with pride when they all liked it, especially that proud look in Leo's eyes, it just made me high. I would tell him that. "See, the girl you wanted to get rid of the first day is saving your kingdom now." but past is in the past. And yes, he had his reasons.
I wished Anna could witness this too. She'd be the happiest person.
***
The day that we had waited for so long finally arrived, the last battle day, the good-bye-phantoms day. We were all gathered in the practicing field at a really early hour, before sunrise, shivering against cold, but excited. The leader said some encouraging words that I don't remember, because he looked so good that I had to focus on him and not to what he was saying. I'd not blame myself for this, I was already motivated.
So on our horses, we walked to the forest, left some warriors there to kill all the phantoms that could be strolling in the region and moved to the forbidden area. Once we stepped in, the warriors lit their flambeaus and raised them up highly. Leo ordered half of them to stay there and the other half to move deeper, those who stayed parted by the boundaries of the whole area, waiting for the final order. The half who left, which I was with, stood in the center of the forbidden area.
Warriors with flames in the middle, surrounded by the archery team. We shot all the phantoms that got closer to gain more time for those who were going to start the fire. Few minutes later, the number of phantoms began to low down. Here, Leo gave the order to burn everything. The warriors spread the flames everywhere and whistled for the others in the boundaries to start the fire as well. That was our plan.
The great shrieks of the phantoms were our warning to leave the place as soon as possible, especially that the fire grew so huge. Hopefully no warrior was harmed for the first time.
The withdrawal led us to the forest, where the other warriors were. They all said that they brushed the entire places and there was no phantom left, but Leo told us to stay and watch carefully. The screams from the forbidden area were seriously unbearable, but we had to stay there looking for more phantoms.
Finn said that they were cursed people, supposedly dead cursed people. So doing this to them wasn't a torture, right? They were mistaken first. I don't know why I was thinking about this, I just didn't want to commit a crime against them. Well, they did more crimes and decided to die.
For two days, we waited the fire to lit off, meanwhile we were looking for more phantoms nearby. Fortunately none left, the archery team shot them all and took the bodies to the forbidden area to burn them.
After the flames of fire finally vanished we had one last thing to do, which is checking the whole place. The leader was so strict about this, he didn't want any phantom to be left alive.
And another day to search in the burned area about phantoms. All that was so exhausting, we'd collapse on the floor at any moment. We held ourselves, reminding ourselves that it was our very last time to stand there. The whole place disappeared, literally, it all was replaced with ash and some dark giant trees that stood firmly against the fire. The good news are we found no surviving phantom.
"People," Leo stood in the middle and called. "Today is the greatest day in our kingdom's history."
There was a brief silence before he spoke again, he raised his sword up high and shouted. "Humans defeated phantoms."
"Heyy!" all of them shouted in one voice. I could sense the happiness in it. I mean wasn't it a great relief? Phantoms were gone, the war was finally over, and Infenyans could live safely after that.
I looked back at the last point in the forbidden area, or what left of it. At the spot from where I emerged, the one that I don't know where it was now. Then my feelings got replaced by others. I found myself thinking what if my dad didn't lose the way, what if he didn't hit that tree, we'd avoid a lot of troubles, and they'd stay alive. Then Infenyans wouldn't get rid of phantoms. Well, I'm not saying that I had a great role, but at least my idea was successful.
A hand rubbed my back gently and pulled me closer to a warm body. "What are you thinking about?"
I kept looking at that spot. "What if I didn't show up here?"
He put his other hand on my shoulder and turned me to face him. The grin in his eyes was precious that I didn't want to ruin it by my dark thoughts, I could say nothing.
"Let's not think about this," he leaned closer and whispered. "I'm grateful you showed up, so grateful." then pressed his lips against my forehead.
That was so sweet and relieving. Not until the others noticed us and started whispering to each other, I pulled away and just gave him a hopeless smile.
Now that everything was solved, what do we do next?
***
A great celebration brightened the kingdom. All people were radiating glee, some of them couldn't even believe that this actually happened, that eventually their dark days and fears were a part of the past, and they'd live merely with no worries.
Even so, some groups of warriors were sent everyday to check the forbidden area and the woods, in case we left something. I assumed that more phantoms would emerge from nowhere. But after a week, I realized that I was wrong, everything was clean.
"What are we going to do now?" I asked Leo who was gathering all those documents and plans in order to store them somewhere for 'just-in-cases'.
He looked thoughtful for a moment then answered. "Moving."
"Where?"
"To my house."
Oh
Sometimes, I surprise myself by how slow and stupid I am, because I thought he wanted all Infenyans to move to another kingdom.
Wait, what did he just say? Move to is house!?
"You mean me?" I uttered in shock.
"Yes, I don't want you to live alone in Anna's house."
"No, thanks. I'm comfortable there."
"Why?" he put those papers down and stepped closer to me. "Won't you be comfortable around me?"
"Not like this. I mean_ ugh. I don't know."
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me toward him. "I' will not leave you by yourself." he whispered.
"Neither do I." I rest my head on his shoulder, squeezing him harder. That was a murder attempt more than a hug, but what could I do? I just loved him.