Kapitel 25: Heartbreaker. (Chapter 24)

My throat closed up, Drakes knee was on my back pinning me to the floor. Guilty.. he pleaded guilty. No he can't-he wouldn't-no- why!? All I could see was Isla's face, her long auburn hair, her clean grassy eyes that always were worried with concern. How she would fumble with her words whilst speaking to Ryan. I used to tease her about it. She was wise, beautiful and strong. Never once she gave me wrong advise. I respected her, she was my equal. Whenever i was inconsolable she was always there to console me. My rock for over 100 years. My best friend, my sister. And my one true love took her from me. I couldn't not look at him. But he made me speechless. I had to look away, for I was afraid I would of made his insides boil.

"Karina, don't do anything right now. Too many witnesses." Drake whispers as he can feel my rage.

"Let me up Drake." I whisper through my teeth. Tears streaming down my face, as I watch Damiens golden eyes quiver. Drake lets go. I spring up and sprint out of the room, I couldn't breathe. I was afraid I would do something I would regret if I had continued to looked at him. I sprinted to my chamber controlling my emotions. I lock my door. I can't feel my legs. I slide down my door. The Silence is too intimidating. Isla would be here right now, asking what happened, her hair in a bun and her apron too loose. I couldn't hold it in. Screeches let loose my tears flooded my cheeks and screams filled my throat. And I screamed and screamed. Until I could no longer deny reality.

——————————————

"Karina....Karina it's me..Drake." He knocks frantically. I lye there motionless starting at a spider on my wall. Just watching him move effortlessly. I knew that If I wasn't looking, I wouldn't have found him. But I wasn't looking for Damien, so why did I find him? And when I found him...why was he taken away from me? The universe isn't fair. I knew that. But I had now learnt, that the universe is cruel, and it didn't matter to who. "Karina. I know you are there. Please. Open up. You've been in there for hours I'm getting worried. Please" He begged. I hear him. But I don't acknowledge him. I don't want to. I just want the world to let me heal. I know I can. But I can't right now, I can't face the world and the reality it's handed me. My emotions still, like water. I see that the sunlight had been replaced by the light of the moon. I hadn't realised the time slip away. "Karina, we are holding the funeral for Isla soon...Ryan wants you downstairs...He needs you right now Karina. He has been holding it in all day for the benefit of the kingdom. I'm not sure how long he is going to last..." I still don't open the door. I don't want to see him. "Isla was my oldest friend Karina. I knew her way before she met you...She loved you...and Ryan. This is not how she would want us to be. She would want us to be strong and be there for each other .. so please open the door." My heart still ached, but he was right. I wiped my puffy eyes and pulled my face together. I unlocked the door. I opened it to see Drake. He had been crying his eyes red, his jaw clenched but his emotions were still, again like water. Just tears. I could see the agony in his eyes. But he didn't show. He needed me more than I needed him. I knew. Without hesitation, I gave him a hug. I felt his tear upon my shoulder and his shaky breathes along my neck. He held me tight because if he didn't he would of dropped to the floor. He was exhausted from sadness. He was slowly breaking. And needed me to be there when he did, so I could put him back together. I had my time to mourn. Isla and Drake were family. They knew eachother before me and Rysn did. Drake was sad but more so angry. He wanted to kill Damien. I could feel it. But Now I must be there for both Drake and my brother. Isla was important to all of us, and her death would not be left unavenged. But still, there was no doubt in my mind, that Damien was innocent. And I was going to prove it. But first, I needed to talk to him.

———————————

"Princess Karina Darvos" one of the guards said whilst bowing to me. "How may I help you Princess."

"I want to see Damien-Prince Damien Lucent." The guard looks at me slightly confused, he almost refuses but I darken my glare on him and he quickly changed his answer. "Yes Princess." He takes the lamp and leads me down the hall of the dungeons. I see many of the men and women that were apprehended by the CREE. They all back away from their gates when they see me coming down the hall. It makes me smile to see that. We reach the end and I see Damien. He is doing push-ups so effortlessly without any noise. He is angry, I feel his anger, his soul is disturbed so he can't sleep. A little ball of light shines above him illuminating the entire cell. He is a Lightning after-all. I can see the gashes on his back, they ran so deep that the blood had started to thicken. There were so many I couldn't count. His back had started to bruise and turn different colours. These gashes ran so deep that they would definitely leave scars. My throat tightened as I was pained to see his condition. I wanted to kill Everyman that had laid a hand in him. I could feel the darkness in me start to brew but I pushed it away. "My lord you have a visitor." Damien stops mid push up.

"Karina?" He says. "Hello Damien." I say. I feel the tear as I hear the anguish in his voice. The guard unlocks the gate and I step inside. "Leave us." I command. The Guard bows and leaves in a hurry. Damien doesn't come close to me. In fact he moves to the opposite corner of the cell. He can't meet my eyes. Understandable. I lick my lips but I fasten my gaze on him. He was angry, beastly. The gentle man I once knew was replaced by a beast. His body was sweaty from the relentless exercise he was doing. The Ball of light bounced off his sweat showing off his ridiculously ripped body. His eyes were glistening with new tears but his jaw was clenched in anger. I couldn't take the agonising silence anymore I whisper "Did you do it-"

"Yes-" he replies almost immediately.

"You're lying!" The tears were streaming now "... You were with me the entire time-"

"Karina... I killed Isla-"

"Stop it Dami-"

"KARINA I KILLED HER!! I SNAPPED HER FUCKING NECK ALRIGHT!...NOW IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR!!" He exploded. But now I knew I was right. I walked over to him and put my hand on his cheek. His face still red from his outburst. He was confused, but still weary of me for this was not the reaction be was expecting. His eyes were suffering but he finally met mine. I couldn't help but smile, my breath and hand shaky. "Damien, Isla died from Stabbing... not from suffocation... But you didn't know that because you didn't kill her." His eyes fluttered with regret as I had figured it all out.

"Damien, who are you protecting? Let me hel-"

" No Karina. This whole situation...it's too fucked up. I'm not dragging you into this shit. This world is messed up. Nothing makes sense anymore. Except for you and I won't be the reason you're in danger. If you knew what I knew...let's just say, they would make sure you COULDN'T tell another soul." He takes my hand in his. "Please Karina. Let it be. You mean more to me than my own life. If something happened to you, I don't think I would be able to handle it. For my sake, please let it be."

"Damien, like it or not. I love you. You are a part of me now. I won't stand idly by and watch you get whipped daily and then by the end of the week... executed.. Please let me help you. Who are you protecting?" He just looks at me, I can't read his expression. He kissed me on forehead. But I hadn't convinced him.

"Karina, please. Don't. You wouldn't understand why I have to do this-"

"So tell me!

"No..no. I can't. I love you too much. But my love, the moon will shine on us again. I promise." He whispered at my ear. I heard my heartbreak. The gate unlocked, the guard had come to take me back. Quickly wiping away my tears. I placed my hand on his chest, the darkness swirling in me. He grunted in pain. The gashes on his back started to heal until they were unrecognisable. His pain was lifted slightly. I gave him a last kiss on his cheek and I left without another word. But I will get Damien out. Even if it kills me.