Chapter 2 - Prologue

I stood frozen, my eyes locked on Taranasha's icy gaze. Her sword gleamed in the dim light, its blade aimed at my heart. I couldn't believe this was happening. My Tara, my mate, my everything, was against me.

"Taranasha, why?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "What will you gain by killing him?"

Her expression was a mask of stone, but her eyes betrayed her. They burned with a fierce love, a love that I knew all too well.

"Ayan, my love," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I'm doing this for us. For our future."

I took a step back, my mind racing. "But why? What's going on, Tara? You're not making sense."

Taranasha's laughter was a cold, mirthless sound, but her eyes still shone with tears.

"You don't know, do you, Ayan?" she whispered. "You don't know who I really am. What I'm capable of."

I felt a surge of fear, but also a deep sadness. I knew that Taranasha loved me, loved me more than anything in this world. And yet, she was willing to kill me.

"Tara, please," I begged, my voice cracking. "Don't do this. I love you too."

For a moment, her mask slipped, and I saw the woman I loved, the woman who loved me with all her heart.

"Ayan, my love," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm so sorry. But I have no choice."

And with that, she raised her sword, ready to strike. I closed my eyes, waiting for the end, but also knowing that our love would never die.

As the sword descended, I felt a deep sense of sorrow wash over me. My heart ached, my breath caught in my throat, and my mind reeled with despair. The woman I loved, my mate, my everything, was about to kill me.

"Tara, no! Please don't do this!" I begged, my voice cracking with anguish.

But she just shook her head, her eyes flashing with a fierce determination. "I'm sorry, Ayan. I have no choice."

And then, in a flash of movement, she turned the sword on herself. I watched in horror as she plunged the blade into her own heart.

"Nooooo!" I screamed, my voice echoing through the room. "Tara, no! Don't leave me!"

I rushed to her side, cradling her dying body in my arms. Her eyes locked on mine, and I saw the deepest sorrow, the most profound regret.

"Ayan...my love..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces as I held her close. "Tara, don't go! Please don't leave me!"

But it was too late. With one final glance, she closed her eyes and went limp in my arms.

I held her lifeless body, my mind reeling with grief. I rocked back and forth, my body wracked with sobs.

"Why? Why did you do this?" I whispered, my voice shaking with emotion. "Why did you leave me?"

As I held her close, I knew that I would never be the same again. My heart was gone, shattered into a million pieces. I was left with nothing but a deep, abiding sorrow.

And yet, even in death, Taranasha had left me a secret, a secret that only she knew. A secret that I was determined to uncover, no matter what the cost.

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*Reader's Note:* ❤️

The story is a emotional and dramatic tale of love, loss, and sacrifice. The scene below is a pivotal moment in the story, and it's intended to be a heart-wrenching and intense moment for the characters and readers alike.

*Please note that the story deals with mature themes, including death and sacrifice. Reader discretion is advised.*