I have been writing for the past few weeks, but it's been a new story, which is started. It's called "melancholia" and you can find it on my page! And, of course, I hope you enjoy the chapter!  

Chapter Twenty Three

Leave. It was such a simple word yet it held more power than expected. I had never found a word to be so chilling and terrifying as it was at this very moment.

"You should go inside. I can have Martin-" Prince Gordon started, his eyes still on the gruesome scene in front of us.

But I cut him off. "No, I want to stay." I didn't add that I was too afraid to be alone in the palace. It would not matter how many enforcers were in the building. Whoever did this had enough hatred towards me that they wouldn't be able to stop them, as they hadn't here.

Leave had been painted on the ground in thick letters that screeched the silent word towards me. But that wasn't the most disturbing part of the whole scene. At the beginning of the word and at the end were two lifeless bodies.

The male had stared at us with wide, unblinking eyes when we first arrived while the female's mouth was wide open, burdened with a scream that would never be released. But someone had taken care of both before gently covering them up with fabric.

Both had their clothing had been removed and they wore the skin of true leopards around them, the message conveyed clearly.

"Martin, watch over the situation. I will be inside with Ivy if I am needed," Cayne instructed, placing a light hand on my shoulder. Martin nodded, his eyes travelling back to the two covered up bodies.

I was thankful for my päästja, however, I didn't want to be a distraction from his work. "I will be fine, päästja. You do not need to worry," I said softly, facing him.

His face held a grim look, the light in his green eyes gone for the moment. He tried to smile as his eyes met mine, yet it only appeared väsinud. "It is fine, my dear. You should not have to see this. You have done nothing to deserve this," he replied, his voice turning angry at the end as his mouth turned down into a frown.

"Let us go," he added, gently leading me back towards the palace. We walked in and Prince Gordon led me to the room I was staying in and closed the door behind us. I sat on the bed, watching as he stood there, staring at me.

"Sit down. Worrying will not solve it," I said, patting the spot beside me. He did as told, holding his head in his hands, his blonde hair falling down around him. This was the side of him others seldom saw. The weary side.

I turned slightly, hesitating before running a hand through his hair, hoping to soothe him somehow. "Päästja, I am sorry," I whispered, wishing I could fix this. I was sure this situation would do the opposite of causing him less stress.

He tilted his head, revealing his eyes to me once again. He sat up, taking my hand into his warm ones. "Ivy, this is not your fault. You did not murder those two people, nor did you cause it. I do not want you to think this is because of you." His eyes were as firm as his voice, both attempting to change my mind.

But it was my fault. If Kai and I had disappeared, no one would have been harmed. But now that the two of us were becoming more noticed, someone was beginning to feel threatened.

And they were anything but pleased.

He was quiet for a moment, his thumb running along my wrist as he looked at our hands. "My dear, I would understand if you wanted to depart," he started, yet I didn't understand until he continued talking.

"I will have Kai released right now and brought here if that is what you wish to do. You will both gain your freedom back and be allowed to leave. There will be no consequences if this is your choice."

I sighed, smiling sadly at him. I lifted my other hand, running it lightly along his jawline. "Päästja, I would not be free. It does not matter whether I am here, or if I am outside with Kai. It does not matter where we are. My kind is never free," I said, the words ringing with truth.

Kai and I may have a moment of relief and bliss if we left now. We would rejoice at being together once again, however, after there would be nothing. There was no village, no leap, to return to. There was nowhere safe for our kind.

We would have to watch our backs, never knowing who to trust. We would not be allowed in public, as our kind was still being hunted. Thus, we would have to hide. We would not reside in the palace anymore, but freedom was nonexistent outside as well.

"It is I who should be sorry," he said, confusing me. He had done nothing wrong.

"I don't understand," I said and was surprised by his response.

"I am sorry that I did not do anything sooner. It is obvious that the hatred for your kind, the treatment, is uncalled for and cruel. Yet, no one has stepped up and attempted to change that. I apologize for not doing so earlier. You should not suffer for something you had no involvement in."

It was odd, hearing someone apologize for it, a human especially. No one had ever apologized to my leap for how we were treated. Yet, Prince Gordon was apologizing and had done nothing to me. His ineffable words meant more to me than he could ever know.

"You are too good for this world," I whispered, sending him a smile.

His eyes lit up at my words as if they were thanking me. "As are you, my dear," he replied, gently lifting my hand that was still encased in his and pressing his lips to them.

I found myself leaning closer to him, placing my forehead against his own. I desired comfort more than anything right now, yearning to feel something other than guilt for the recent deaths.

My fingers grazed the scar that was placed along his cheeks, no longer angry. It had faded down into a tamed line, yet it showed no signs of ever disappearing.

Prince Gordon's green eyes fled behind his eyelids at the movement right before I heard him exhale a sigh and lean into my hand. He was as tired as I had thought.

"When did you last sleep?" I asked him, my hand finding its way into his hair. It was thinner than Kai's but also longer.

He laughed softly at the question before replying, "A Prince does not sleep, my dear. However, I have relaxed less than usual as of late."

I frowned, wondering whether Prince Gordon had much time to himself. Sleep was not a want, but a need. The body required it, yet he seemed to not realize this.

I smiled suddenly, pulling away and watching as his eyes opened again, curiosity filling them. I left the bed and quickly turned off the light.

My vision slowly returned, much quicker and clear than his would. "Ivy?" I heard him call, confusion evident in his voice.

I found my way back to him, my hands unbuttoning the suit jacket that wrapped itself around him. "Martin is watching over the situation, is he not?" I asked, thrilled when he allowed me to take the suit jacket off him instead of fighting.

I placed it on the nearby nightstand, turning back towards him. His eyes lit up in the dark as he nodded, confusion still etched on his face.

"Then you can relax! We can lie here in the dark, even if you don't sleep," I explained, hearing his laughter at my excitement.

"Ivy, dear, I have many other things to attend to. I cannot afford to relax," he said, causing me to frown.

I reached out, my fingers running along the scar once again. I had only done it a few times, yet it was becoming a selfish habit. I enjoyed the way it affected him.

"You need to relax, päästja. You will have to do so sooner or later or you will collapse and have even more to do. So now is the best time," I murmured, lying down and patting the pillow lying beside me.

I watched him expectantly, awaiting his movement. I thought that he would get up and leave the room, apologizing that he wasn't able to stay. However, he surprised me yet again.

I could see him hesitate before he laid down beside me, his head facing me. I smiled as I curled closer, little space left between us.

"Was that so hard?" I teased, however, Prince Gordon only gave a brief smile. He appeared distracted.

"Päästja?" I called, seeing his eyes flicker before he gave me a more genuine smile.

"You are ilus, my dear," he whispered, startling me. He still remembered the word and had used it correctly.

I found myself moving even closer to him, close enough that my nose nestled against his own, my body curled against his.

His heart began beating erratically at the unexpected contact, as if unsure how to handle it. However, I felt his body relaxing further, his worries leaving him for the moment.

"Go to sleep, päästja. I will wake you if you are needed," I whispered, running my hair through his hair slowly.

We remained like that for several moments before his heart and breathing calmed, showing he had finally fallen asleep.

I watched him, wondering whether he knew the reason he didn't sleep as often was because of me. I was sure Kai and I's arrival had caused much disruption to his schedule, and incidences such as today were becoming more constant.

I hadn't realized it myself until now. It seemed the situations were affected not only Kai but Prince Gordon as well. And it was not for the better.

Just as I began thinking that perhaps things would be best if Kai and I did depart, I found myself joining Prince Gordon as my eyes closed against their will.  

[Päästja- savior]

[Väsinud- tired]  

[Ilus- beautiful]