"'Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch," - 'Tis a Fearful Thing by Yehuda HaLevi

˖𓍢ִִ໋𓇼⋆

"My Lady." Rook's voice was laced with concern, dripping with ire.

The letter in my hands felt as heavy as lead. I touched my tongue to my lips, feeling just how dry my mouth had become within the last few seconds. How could someone think of such hateful words? The parchment crumpled between my hands as I hastily crushed it into a ball, tears brimming in my eyes.

"My Lady," the captain said again, this time firmer. "We must tell your father."

I threw my hands into the air, a bitter laugh escaping my lips as I turned to face him. "For what purpose? To give me more guards? To lock me in a tower to keep me safe? Captain, how many more men will it take until these letters stop finding me?" I tossed the crumpled letter away, resigning to stare across the palace gardens. "Either it is all empty threats, or they will find a way. There is nothing more to be done."

Captain Elias Rook grunted his disapproval. "There is always something to be done, Lady Ilaria. We can fortify the palace. It could buy us time."

Stay calm. I drew a deep breath, closed my eyes, and did as one of his soldiers always told me to. In with the good air, out with the bad. "Captain Rook. I appreciate your guidance. I always have. You're like a second father to me, however I am tired of being a pawn in someone else's game."

"I understand, however—"

I turned to look at him, smiling at the elderly man whom I had known since childhood. His once brown hair was now a shock of grey, and the faint lines of youth had deepened over years of hard work and days in the brutal Sigyn sun. Like the water in our fountains, his dark blue eyes were always a refreshing break from the dull browns of Sigyn's palace. He blew an irritated breath, stopping himself as he bowed his head.

"As you command, my Lady. What would you have us do?"

Clasping my hands behind my back, I returned to admiring the gardens. "Tell my father that I have received another death threat. Our mysterious would-be assassin seeks, yet again, to end my life before I can secure my marriage with Prince Godred. Whoever they are does not wish to see an alliance form between Sigyn and Jadhull, yet they do not have the guts to show up and see it through." My gaze lifted to the pale blue sky, darkening as the sun set behind the white-washed palace walls. "Nor has my beloved come to my rescue, despite communication with him that we should hurry our negotiations. It would seem very few care whether I live or die. If what it takes to secure this marriage is an actual attempt, we must let the assassin come to me. If there even is one."

"Are you saying...?"

"Yes." I closed my eyes and breathed the scent of the orange blossoms that warmed in the disappearing sun rays. "Tell your men to be stationed outside my room tonight. I will have my dagger with me, so fear not. If there is an assassin and he comes to find me, then we will deal with it. If not, it will be confirmed that there is nothing to fear and that my enemies are not of their word."

"And if there is an assassin?" Rook pressed.

His concern was endearing. "Then we will move on with my plan."

"Which you have not detailed for any of us."

"Patience, Captain. Patience. All within good time." I turned, and my skirts hissed across the sandstone floor like snakes as I passed him. "Everything I do is for my people. You know this to be true, yes?"

He followed me as a loyal dog, two steps behind me at all times as we climbed the winding staircase to the rampart's walkway. Beyond, my father's kingdom stretched out before us. A kingdom of duality, a vast stretch of sun-scorched desert encircling a walled oasis that glistened like a hidden jewel. To those outside the wall, it was a land of grit and survival, where the heat bore down mercilessly, and the sandstorms swept away dreams. But within the towering stone barrier, the capital city flourished—a maze of pale stone buildings, shaded courtyards, and gardens that seemed to defy the desert's grasp. The oasis within was the heart of it all, a luxurious place with pools where date palms swayed, and the air tasted sweet with the scent of orange blossoms.

I had grown up amid the cool shadows of marble columns and the delicate sound of fountains echoing through the royal courtyards. Oh, I knew well the luxury of sipping chilled mint tea as the sun dipped below the dunes, the sight of my people lounging just beyond the palace gates. But I could never forget the other side. The hunger in the eyes of those outside the wall, the arid lands stretched endlessly beyond the capital's lush embrace.

"You know well of what I seek, Captain." I leaned against the parapet, staring at the faint line that marred the landscape.

The Wall.

"Sigyn is a kingdom of deep, aching beauty, yet shadowed by an unforgiving truth." I heaved a sigh, eyes narrowed against the setting sun's light. "The wall that keeps our people safe is the same one that kept others out. I dream of the day when the city's gates open wide, welcoming all who seek refuge from the desert beyond."

"We should not be on the roof, my lady."

My heart twisted at his words. He meant well. He was always looking out for my well-being. My tongue touched my lips again.

"There are those, Captain, who seek to separate us."

"Yes, my lady. Let us move this conversation inside."

Good old Rook. I drew in a deep breath, then straightened. "Those people have narrow minds. They wish to corrupt and weaken my people. You know well how those on the other side are treated. Scavengers. Pickpockets. Looters and thieves. Imagine if they were within these walls where we could provide them jobs, proper housing, and food."

Rook nodded, and I could feel him becoming more agitated the longer we stayed in the open. He wanted to go inside, to keep me safe, and I knew he did. It was all he ever wanted.

But he had not read the letter. He did not know what the assassin asked of me or what would have been threatened if I had not done as ordered.

"Rook. People will go to war over me."

"Princess, we should—"

I barely caught the sound of a sharp whistle before pain erupted in my chest, and the force of the strike sent me reeling backward.

"Your Highness!"

Rook was grabbing me, dragging me closer to the parapet. Pain, hot and sharp, radiated around my collarbone. Had it been broken? Vaguely aware that we were on the ground, I blinked rapidly through my tears as I looked down.

An arrow.

An arrow jutted out of my chest.

Blood seeped through the light pink fabric of my dress, and I felt my body begin to tremble. "Oh. Oh, gods."

"Do not move, Princess. Whatever you do, do not move!"

Rook was gone. Not far away, I could hear him shouting as he ran. Palace guards flocked to me. Everything faded into oblivion beyond one singular thought.

They were a lousy shot.