s i x

Luckily Yami and I did not have to trek all the way back through the distances we travelled prior trying to escape our pursuers. On the way down the paths towards the Fire Castle, we found another traveler heading to the markets in the Fire Kingdom. She was a kind lady who agreed to take us along with her all the way here even though we insisted she did not have to.

I am following close behind Yami and we are running through the marketplace towards the Castle. It is exceptionally hot here. I am not used to this kind of temperature and I feel sweat falling down my back.

When we arrive there, I hope Yami's mother and father can help me. I refuse to go back home and live with that abomination of a father and let him treat me like the dirt under his shoes. My poor mother tries her best, but he was beginning to treat her the same and now look at where we are. I am running while he is chasing me like pray. I have to do something or he will treat me like this forever.

I just want my life back.

Wait, will we be able to enter his castle? Will they even let me?

"Yami, what are we going to do to get me past your guards? Will they let me enter?"

Yami glances at me, "Just leave that to me. I know another way to get inside," and he ducks down a slightly hidden path through some shrubs leading to one of the sides of his Castle. When we approach it, I begin to notice there is a well-worn way to climb up to a window. Crevasses in the wall and small places to push yourself up are found going all the way up to the window.

I watch where I step as I approach the wall as I notice small flames have been licking the ground and flaring up around us as we walk over the burning plains. Before I step up, I glance behind me and the volcano is looming over me like a super tall skyscraper. Yami helps me get started and he climbs up after me.

Yami opens the window and slips inside. He turns around and helps me through. I feel a bit lightheaded as I pass through the window and my vision goes dark for a few moments. I place my hand on the wall for a moment.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am a bit lightheaded," I raise my free hand up to my temple and lean against the wall, "It is just hot in here,"

Yami nods and checks ahead to see that the area is clear. When he spins around, he approaches me with a half-smile, "Feeling okay? Let's go, it is clear," He reaches out and takes my hand.

"Okay,"

He leads me out the door, through the hallway and down a large spiral staircase that I assume leads down to the main part of his Castle. That must be where his parents are. I hope they will accept me and not make me go back home and face my father again.

Inside the Fire castle, it is just like I remember from when I was younger. The walls are a deep red and the large chandelier hanging from the tall ceiling is glowing a bright red with flames lighting it up.

I set my first foot on the red tile flooring, "Nyru!"

I recognize the voice and look up quickly with a smile on my face, "Mother!" and she darts up to me to give me an embrace. She tightens her grip and I do the same, happy to actually see her here. She must be here speaking to Yami's parents since my father left to chase me all over the Kingdom.

"What are you doing back?"

"Long story," I respond as she pulls away from me to get a good look. I frankly wish I look better to be viewed by my mother and Yami's parents but I do not have a choice.

I look away from her to find the Fire King and Queen standing there, smiling at us.

That is a good sign.

Yami was standing next to them and speaking to them. My mother pulls me over so we can join them. Even though I feel this is a good thing, I cannot help but feel nervous standing before the parents who could make or break my entire life problems. When my mother bows to greet them once again, I realize she is doing so to show me what to do. I quickly scramble myself and quickly bow to them before I timidly hide slightly behind my mother.

The Fire Queen bows also, showing respect I assume.

She opens her mouth to speak, "I have heard a great deal about you, Nyru," then she glances down at her son. I look back into her gaze when she looks back up at me. Her eyes show a genuine concern for my needs and looks as though she can tell how nervous and afraid I must be to be standing here before her. She takes a step closer to me.

"Do not be afraid. We are your friends here, child. Your mother has already given me the issues and we have been discussing... our options. We both consider the same idea about you and my son,"

My eyes widen and I feel something lift from somewhere inside, "Really?" I step out from behind my mother and turn to completely face the Fire Queen. I feel my mother place her hand on my shoulder and she grips it tightly.

Then the Fire King steps forward, his long red robes are draping down around his arms and his bright brown eyes meet mine, "Princess Nyru," His voice is strong and reverberates through the high ceiling, "Your Kingdom and mine have had their fights..." He raises his hand up as if he is noting his thought is not yet complete.

I feel my stomach drop slightly. I reach up and hold my left arm with my right hand.

"But... I understand what your mother tells me. I see now that you and my son are the keys to our peace. Our Kingdoms maybe reborn as friends through these keys, with the connection they share," He pauses, "It's up to you two," The King finishes slowly and lowers his arms back down to his sides. He takes a step back to the place where he was standing prior.

Is he talking about what I think he is?

I turn to look at Yami who is watching from the side. Yami acts like he sees what I am thinking all over my face. Before I can say anything, I hear a loud noise echo through the Castle from behind us.

"NYRU!" I flinch and feel myself tense up as I hear my father's loud voice pierce my ears. I reach up and cover them with my hands and turn to see him quickly rushing up to me. He is highly annoyed and looks as though he has nothing in mind but getting his filthy hands on me once again.

"F—Father...!" I feel my hands begin to shake violently and I cannot stop them. My heart rate increases and my stomach lurches every step he takes towards me.

"WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU?" His angry voice increases in volume with every word and each step he takes has more force until he is stomping as hard as he can while he approaches me. The next thing I feel is Yami already at my side and is wrapping his arms around me.

I see my mother step forward, blocking me from my father, "How dare you enter this Castle in such a manner!" She says quickly and angrily. She raises her staff and points it angrily towards him. I feel another soft hand on my shoulder.

Must be Yami's mother.

I am frozen in place from fear. I cannot look to see who it is. I can only keep my eyes on my father who now is angrily trying to get to me.

'You have no respect as King! Your ways cause destruction and disorder! I do not wish to continue being called your Queen!"

A gasp escapes from my lips without my permission and my eyes quickly lock themselves on my mother, "Mother!"

She does not look to me. She just keeps glaring down father angrily.

"You shall return to the Castle at once! I shall speak to you when I return!" Mother says sternly.

But Father does not go anywhere. He steps closer to mother and tries his best to get around her while reaching for my arm. Yami blocks him from me and pulls me away out of his range. Yami's mother rushes forward and helps my mother contain him, then orders their guards to send him away. Father will not leave unless he is forced by a force stronger than his own will. The look in his eyes tells me he will not end this here and is threatening me to return home.

"I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN NYRU! YOU STILL ARE MINE!" The sound of his voice screaming those words towards me with such hostility makes me shiver under Yami's grip as his harsh voice echoes through the large room once again. My ears begin to ring and I reach up to hold them, grimacing from the sudden sharp pang shooting through them simultaneously.

Yami gently kisses the top of my head and tightens his grip on me.

My mother and Yami's mother turn to face me with small smiles across their faces. My mother steps closer to me, "We are offering a marriage between you and Yami, Nyru,"

"What will your answer be, child?" Yami's mother asks.

I smile at both of them, "This is my answer,"

I see Yami smile as well as he grips me tighter.

~~~

After that arrangement between both Kingdoms, the new friendship begins to be rebuilt. In a few years, when both Yami and myself are ready, the agreement will take place and a brand new connection will be made.

Our wedding.

I can now do what I please and my Father is forbidden to be anywhere near me without permission or protection.

Now I am no longer afraid of him as he can no longer hurt me.

~~~

~A week later

It is early evening. The sun is preparing to set behind the tall mountains in the distance, forming many colors to dance around in the evening sky.

"Nyru! Yami is here!" I hear my mother call. A smile etches itself onto my face as I rush out of my room, down the staircase and into the main room. I feel my heart thump more and more with every step I make. When I enter through the doorway, my eyes fall immediately on Yami waiting for me patiently by the entrance foyer.

When I approach him, I ask, "Where are we going?"

He smiles, "You'll see,"

He takes my hand and leads me out of Ice Castle, entering the surrounding forest. He leads me to the highest point along the cliffs just outside the forest, overlooking the Fire Kingdom. From up there, you can see all of the Fire Kingdom and the lower sections of the Ice Kingdom being overlooked by the Ice Castle up in the tall snowy mountains.

The volcano down below slowly flickers below the setting sunlight and a cool night breeze blows past my face.

I can watch this for hours. With you, Yami.

The ocean spreads across the eastern section just beyond the volcano as far as the eye can see. When we stand there watching together for a few moments, the sun begins setting below the ocean and mountains. I feel Yami wrap his arms around my waist and turn me to look at him.

"This is my favorite spot," He tells me. His eyes are searching mine now.

"Oh? Why?" I say sarcastically with a grin. I know exactly why.

Yami reaches up to cup my face with his hands, "It reminds me of you," and looks deeply into my eyes. When he leans closer, I feel my worries slip away as his lips touch mine. I reach up to hold his neck as he pulls me closer to him.

This is now my favorite spot too.

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This ends Part One.

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See you in the next part!

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