Her stubborn fiancé ran after her and stopped at the gates. His wind-swept ash brown hair and burning gold eyes made him look wild. His teeth were clenched as he almost couldn't bear to ask.
"Where are you going? Is this it? Are you really leaving me?"
Cleyssi paused, hand on her cane. She didn't turn around to face him.
"You... you don't need me, so I'm leaving for Awk." And started walking once more.
"You're my fiancé." She had took two step before stopping.
There was almost a low growl at the end and Cleyssi wondered if he was holding back a scream. It would've been better if he had screamed or yelled. Rather than this.. calm-before-the-storm tone.
"I.. we can't." It came out so gentle that she wondered if he had heard.
"..and why not? Why can't we? Cleyssi?"
How should she answer him? Tell him that in a week another girl will appear. Tell him that he will fall in love with her? Tell him that she would be falsely accused and that he.. he would not believe her? Tell him precisely the way his lips would curl and eyes light up when that girl comes?
How could she tell him these things? She will never have him. Five lifetimes of reliving the same life told her so.
She couldn't save Mama and papa then and she still couldn't now. What makes her think she would be able to keep her fiancé?
Better to leave now and not experience that soul piercing pain once more.
"One day Quess you will fall for a pretty girl in light. One day you will slowly distance yourself from me for her. You will protect her from her shadows and will comfort her during the rains. And one day you will no longer be at my side. So I have no choice but to leave."
"Fight. Fight for me! And I will choose you!"
"I've fought five times and it always ends the same. I've given up. Sorry Quess and goodbye. I.. I wish you the best in love and life."
"..five times?.. Cleyssi wait!"
But it was too late. With two taps on her cane, she vanished leaving Quess standing at the gates.
His face slowly darkened as disturbing thoughts began to sprout in his heart.
"..." really want to lock her away and cut off all her escape routes. Then see where she can run off to. Hmph. Want to runaway from me? Not likely!