Celestia's Tales: The Lybiria Scales
Page 32
‘We should think about what happens to the kingdom,’ Xander said, finally taking the first step into planning.
It was late in the day as the sun set on the horizon. Everyone was tired and frustrated and no one wanted to speak the unmentionable.
Dorcus turned to him, her tear-stained face looking mortified at his suggestion.
‘I am sorry, but it is something we must prepare for.’
Dorcus slumped on to the bed and wiped her face with a handkerchief.
‘I know you’re right. I just don’t want to think about it,’ she answered.
Xander placed his arm around her shoulder and soon she snuggled into his chest. He could feel the heat of her body and the beating of her heart. Her hair smelt of the woodlands and he found himself closing his eyes and soaking her in.
He started to kiss her hair, and he heard her groan. Before he knew what was happening their lips were locked. He had forgotten how good she felt in his arms.
Suddenly, the room filled with a blinding white light and the sound of a loud bang. Pulling away from each other, Xander and Dorcus looked at the broken commitment band that lay on the bed in stunned silence.
‘She’s dead,’ the First screamed as Xander and Dorcas breathlessly entered the throne room. ‘The band is broken. She’s died.’
‘No,’ Xander said trying to calm him down. ‘Mine is broken too.’
He showed them all the remnants of his own band and they all looked at him puzzled, and then back to Bri’s now bare arm. Her own band shattered.
‘What does this mean?’ Dorcus asked.
‘It means that the band was broken by love.’
They all, apart from Dorcus and Xander, looked at Surrial puzzled.
‘The only way the band can be broken is through death or love,’ Surrial continued, ‘hence it breaking at Briganti and Xander’s wedding.’
‘It broke when we kissed,’ Dorcus offered.
‘In that case, there may be a way to save her,’ Surrial said.
Chapter Thirty