- Anastasia Reyes -

The day is here. The ritual begins at twelve noon. There is so much I've to do in this six hours time frame and I've been thinking about it too much so I couldn't sleep. First thing was supposed to be doing a Skype call with my mom but I text her instead.

Dex asked me to stay with him for some more time. So I guess I'll not be back in like a week. How are you doing mom?. I really miss you.

My heart really pounded on the word a week because I'm not sure if I'll be back. Ever.

I don't know if this is the last day of my life. Maybe it is. Maybe not. So I decided not to think about it and enjoy the six hours I have.

I got out of my bed and walked to Dex's room. The door was open. He was on his bed but he's not sleeping. He has his hand on his forehead like he's mad over some decision he had made. I decided not to talk about the ritual. I went over to him and slid under the sheets with him. He turned to me in surprise, I hugged him tightly. He took the sheets and made sure that I am comfortable and warm.

"Hey, you told me that there's so much to see in Berade. It's been a day and you didn't take me anywhere," I said.

For a moment he looked confused but then he tried to smile. His smile was intoxicating.

"Come with me." He stood up and gave me a hand. He pulled on his t-shirt. We got out of the door taking soft steps making sure that no one else woke up. We walked past the ballroom, the next mission was to get past the gate. He held my hands while we were walking down the steps. The guards are alert and they gave him curtsy and nodded when they saw me with him. One of the guards opened the door a little bit for us to squeeze out.

As we walked towards the gate I focused on his grip on my hand. It was strong and warm. I felt comfortable. The way he held me, the way he protect me, the way he looked at me everything was lovable about him. He was hot and sexy but it was not always about the physical appearance, it was about the way we love, care and respect each other.

We walked past the gate.

There was a forest on the right side, a village on the left side and on the front was...serpant stream. He guided me to the right. The forest was supposed to be scary but with Dex by my side, I felt it as the most romantic place ever. It was actually a hill. And we're going up.

We walked for like fifteen minutes and reached the hilltop. It was dark. We sat down on the turf. He turned to my side and I could see his blue eyes even in the dark. It was cold so we started rubbing each other's shoulder. Then we lay down gazing the stars. He turned to me and placed his arms on my waist, his lips inches away from mine, I can hear his breaths. We broke the distance and for a moment I truly felt the intensity of his love. We kissed. At that moment we both didn't want to let each other go. He pulled me against him and we shared some really intimate moments. After that when I woke up he was smiling at me.

"C' mere," he said.

I sat between his legs facing away from him. He put his arms around me and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Now look at that." He pointed straight.

It was sunrise. I've seen soo many sunrises but this felt different. It was not just a sunrise, it was the joy of sharing these moments with the man I love the most that made it feel so special. I can feel him smiling behind me.

Berade was basically isolated by two rivers. The rivers met at only two spots and this was one of them. The rivers can be clearly identified. One that came from the left was a bit darker than the river from the right. And they merged at the exact place where the sunrise happened and flowed together to the mountains together as a single river.

"There's actually a Beradaian myth about this place," he said in a deep voice.

"What is it?"

"You see that river on the left?" he said pointing to the darker river.

"That river is called Daliah and the other one is Damien. When Ybris send them to land, they fell in love with each other. But then they had to flow through different paths. So Ybris came to know about it and he made their path in such a way that they could meet again. And this is that place. That day both of them took the vows in front of the sun that they'd be together forever." He squeezed my hands.

"And since then they flowed together. They became each other's 'forever'''

I felt so happy that he chose this place to show me. Now I feel that we are truly meant for each other, that we could be together again. The ritual was just where our paths separate, but we'll meet again at the other side to be together forever like Daliah and Damien. The sunrise planted a hope inside me.

"I want to be your 'forever,'" he said.

"You are already," I said.

I turn to him holding his hands.

"I want you to know that whatever happens to me today, I loved you and will always love you. I need you here, with the people, to give them hope. We can do it Dex'."

"Yeah we can," he said looking deep into my eyes and grazing his hand on my engagement ring.

//////////

"It's time," my maid said.

She didn't look at me as if she was sure that I'm gonna die.

"Yeah."

It was 11:50. I was in a black gown. My hair was braided and tied with black lace at the end. I walked out of the room, my maid followed me. The path I passed was empty and quiet. I took a peek at Dex's room knowing that he's not there, but I wish he were. Everybody might have assembled down. I walked past the ballroom feeling empty. The stairs reminded me of this morning. The guards that saw us sneak out this morning were also not looking at me. They opened the door for me, but this time he opened it wide.

When the door opened I saw the people of Berade. They've gathered till the gate at both sides if the path making a small way for me. As I passed, they prayed, praised and cried. I smiled my way through them though my heart was totally broken, they don't need to know that.

I crossed the gate, only me and my maid were allowed to go beyond that. I saw the king who looked proud of the woman that his son has chosen. The place was surrounded by guards to prevent any citizen from entering. I saw Dex beside him. I walked to the king and stood in front of him.

"May the queen rise this time. The queen who possess the powers of Ybris. Anytime now honey. When you're ready." He patted on my shoulder.

I nodded and walked to Dex. I didn't look at him. I was sure that I would break into tears if I look at him. I looked down, his hands were trembling. I was sure that he was crying. But I didn't have the courage to look at him.

I held his hand reassuringly and it was cold like ice, so was mine. I didn't turn back, I ran to the stream and jumped. A cold shiver ran through me. I heard Dex calling my name, but it was late, too late. The air was striking on my skin like knives. I felt numb. I crashed into the water. I tried to reach the top but I couldn't. I couldn't breathe. I struggled. I tried so much. I felt something heavy on my throat. I felt weak. My vision started to blur. I became weak. My vision went black.

I want to be yours forever.

I love you, Ann.

Let the queen rise this time.

Anytime now honey.

Black. Black. Black.

To be continued...