Orion:

They couldn't run for long. The woods, no matter how large it seemed, would never be able to hide them completely. Orion knew his clan: they would be ruthless in their search to find him. They obviously wouldn't do anything to him and would blame Yasmin. Ancient rules narrated the cost of committing necromancy. Death was the only option, and Orion would do anything, anything, to protect Yasmin from death. That was how he had died in the first place- protecting her. Always her. 

They had found a wild mare that was wandering deep in the woods, and Yasmin had ensnared her, luring her closer with sweet nuts. Which was how they were currently running through the woods, on the back of the horse seemingly made of wind. Yasmin was sitting in front of him, still looking ethereal considering they were bouncing on the back of a horse and they had been in the same clothes without bathing since Orion had risen from the dead. But it was air, the way she held herself, that had drawn Orion in like a moth to a flame. 

Yasmin caught his eye and tilted her lips up slightly before turning back and murmuring in a low voice to the speeding horse. She was a harsh beauty, with raven black hair and eyes that were dark, brooding. Depths that Orion intended to explore when they were finally free. Freedom. Something so simple, yet always out of reach. The sun had retreated, signaling the end of yet another exhausting day of fear and running. Hiding and fleeing was not something either of them was accustomed to: they were both the children of the king of each clan. They could get anything they wanted with a snap of their fingers. Yet Yasmin did. Orion had never seen her enforce her power and position for anything. She frolicked with the servant children, helped them in the kitchen, and gave them her meals when she wasn't hungry. She was their equal, and they were hers. Orion felt a burning heat as he thought about Yasmin's laugh and smile, a sound that had pierced an arrow through his heart. But it was a different pain: one that he never wanted to let go of. The mare slowed, lowering her elongated neck down to greedily slurp the burbling creek water. Yasmin leaned forward, cupping some of the liquid in her hands and dribbling some in her mouth. The other half she poured on the creature's neck. The mare shivered with delight as Yasmin cooled her down. 

Orion slipped his hand in hers, clutching tightly as if she were going to fly away from him. Yasmin smiled easily, surprised. He pulled her to the side, drawing her closer.

"Orion?" 

"We can't run anymore." She gestured for him to continue, weaving her hands through his hair. "My clan will most definitely find us, and these woods are not infinite. We need to go to a place they cannot. I can't and won't let anyone hurt you." Yasmin nodded her agreement, releasing one hand to draw a path down his jaw.

"I agree. But where would we go?" She gestured to the open woods beyond them. "There is nowhere but deeper." 

"They will still find us. And I almost guarantee that your family will also be searching. With that many people looking for us, they will eventually find us. This... is more like a prolonged death for one, or even both of us." Orion's voice was heavy, on the brink of helplessness. It was not a sensation he was used to because he had been conditioned into thinking that he could do everything and anything. Being useless was something he hoped never to feel again.

Yasmin pursed her lips, determined. "I'm not afraid of death. The only thing I fear is being separated from you again, Orion." Rosebuds of red bloomed on her cheeks. Orion searched her eyes, finding nothing but passion and love and adoration. 

"Nevertheless, I will not be responsible for your death," he urged, rubbing his prickly jaw wearily. Where could they go that would be kind to them? The woods were ruled by the Capulets and Montagues equally: this was their turf. 

An idea sparked in Orion's mind, and the cogs and gears in his head began to spin eagerly.

"What if we went past the barrier?" Yasmin's eyes widened before stretching into a beautiful smile, white as the moon. 

She pressed her lips to his softly, much too short for his liking. 

"Did I mention I love you?" Orion grinned, and the heavy mood lifted for one blissful second.

"I remember only this from my lessons," she bit her lower lip in thought. Orion pushed away the strong surge of longing. "The barrier is at the end of the woods. It doesn't harm those who goes through but only meant to cover it's existence. It doesn't prevent solstice transformations or blood need." Yasmin's eyes darkened. "So we can't stop the urges to transform and drink." Orion exhaled forcefully.

"Well, that's just a risk we're going to have to take." Yasmin swung into the saddle, steering the energetic creature to Orion. Hand in hand, the two flew through the forest, barely a shadow.