Ilor sat with his arm around his bride. Rara was warm and beautiful even in the dim light.
"I think I will be going to bed now," Rara stood up abruptly.
"Shall I join you?" Ilor asked teasingly.
Rara gave him a heart-melting smile, "Not yet silly, not till we are wed." Once she had turned her back she let her happy demeanour fade away. Ilor had not given her many privileges, she was not to leave the castle without him.
She heaved a huge sigh and thought of Oribella and Ni.
"If only you knew how much I love you," She whispered to the walls.
"My Lady," The voice whispered back, "Listen."
Rara tilted her head in confusion. She heard what sounded like wings.
"What is it?" She said, confused.
There wasn't a reply.
That's when Ilor appeared at the door, he wasn't smiling.
"What's wrong my lovely King," Rara asked, voice filled with honey.
She watched as his posture relaxed then stiffened again.
"Intruders," He said, "Lock your door at once."
Rara stood up trying to stay composed, "I'm sure it's nothing more than a small rock felling."
Ilor shook his head, "I heard footsteps."
"Then we will search," Rara said.
"I'll follow you," Ilor replied.
Rara gently kissed his forehead, "We'd be better if we split up."
His eyes dimmed and he nodded.
Rara hoped with all her heart it was who she thought it was. She longed to see her daughter and Ni. But as she ran her heart felt heavy, what price would they pay?
She knew them when she saw them. Her family stood not far away. They had somehow found her.
She felt her heart breaking.
She leapt toward them engulfing her husband and daughter in a hug.
"Mom," Oribella squeezed her tight, "We have to hurry."
Rara held her daughter in her arms and whispered.
"What I have to do won't make sense now my little love," She kissed her daughter's forehead, "But I have to protect the ones I love."
"Take care of her," She whispered to Ni.
"Rara what are you doing?" He replied.
She pushed away and abruptly struck up a fighter's pose. She twisted her face into one of anger.
"How dare you enter the domain of the fire King and Queen!" She roared.
She watched her family as they shifted from happy to fearful.
"Rara!"
It was Ilor coming to her aid.
"Leave now!" She shouted at her family, then she lowered her voice, "I love you."
By the time Ilor reached her side her family was already far off.
Ilor took both her hands and spun her around.
"We showed them! We showed them fire is the strongest!" He practically sang. Then he got onto one knee. "I will marry you tonight, then we will always be together."
Rara forced a smile onto her face even though inside she crumbled.