Rise
Page 17
He urged her forward, and she went, reluctantly. "Do it." He spoke with the harsh, quiet tones of a desperate man. Victoria lifted her dagger slowly; her arm wouldn't move any faster, it was as if she had the weight of the world in her hand. "Do it" came Roman's voice again, this time accompanied by a note of urgency. Victoria's eyes returned to the spot on the grass where the Prince lay with his eyes trained to the starry night above.
"Victoria!"
His voice sounded faraway, and unimportant. She gazed at the Prince, watching as he pointed out constellations with his index finger. It was such a peaceful scene, and at once, she felt guilt wash over her in waves. She was drowning, and there was no one there to rescue her. She heard someone call her name, and she turned painfully back to Roman.
"Finish it." His distaste for the job was never more evident in his face than it was now, and for once, Victoria found she could agree with him. But he didn't know her true reasoning. "Finish him" he repeated.
Victoria felt as if the roar of the ocean was pounding in her ears, and she looked up at Roman, salty tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I can't."
It was if time was moving in slow motion. Victoria felt Roman shout something, and then grab her. She felt her legs moving, but she didn't remember telling them to do so. Then suddenly, everything sped up.
"Victoria, we have to leave now." Roman yanked her arm again and she yelled out. "Intruders!" Someone said, and she realized as she ducked behind Roman and into the bushes as guards swarmed the area, that it was the Prince. He was staring at them, shoulders back, almost a mirror image of his father. "Guards, there are intruders." Victoria dared another peek at him, from the safety of the bush. His face was hard, and angry.
"I apologize, my liege" A guard was saying. "Can you give a description of the intruders? We will have them arrested within the hour." The Prince shook his head. "I'm not sure of what they looked like. But I did see a girl. A girl with red hair." He stared back towards the bushes, his eyes settling on a spot a little to the left of her, and shook his head.
Victoria felt Roman pull her back gently out of the gardens, and she let him. When she looked around again, they were standing outside of the estate, and Roman was running his fingers nervously through his hair. "What happened back there?" He whispered furiously. Victoria looked down, uncertain of what to say. "You know, we're done for, right? We're done for. This is just great. I guess I better pick out my coffin now. You, too."
Victoria shook her head. "No, Roman. I'm not picking out any coffins. Sister Katherine once told me that everyone has a choice. And you know what? I just made one." The two stood there for a moment longer, watching as the guards scoured the estate, and reveling in what was sure to be one of the biggest mistakes they would ever make.
As the beams of flashlights moved dangerously closer, Roman leaned in towards Victoria and smiled. "You know, I think you're right." He held out his hand, and she grabbed it, and the two lowered their hoods, letting the darkness surround them once, and for all.
Table of Contents
Rise
Prologue
Midpoint