A Princess' Heart

Even a beloved princess must lose love sometimes.

The princess brought a handkerchief to her mouth when the carriage door opened to a world where bloody bodies once only existed to her between the pages of fables and history; a war's aftermath. Its spoils. Mass sacrifice.

All for her country.

Somewhere among the fallen was her treasure. An escort lead her to him. Silk sashes from her dress dragged across the dead, soaking up redness and tattered tissue from their open wounds. Pained moans from every direction greeted their sovereign in proper fashion. As if a war hadn't happened. As if they weren't the last words they'd ever speak.

Her shadow fell upon her warlord, mighty and majestic, even as crimson spilled into the grass beneath him.

"The Moon of Catherina," he cooed, smiling through the agony caused by a wide dagger plunged into his stomach. "My Princess Odette."

"Do not speak," she said in a rush to her knees, face twisted in despair though her voice remained soft. Gentle hands brushed over his face. "My darling. My darling. Please. No more words. You need your strength if we are to save you, Valcon."

"Save me? I asked you here to end me, princess." Valcon lifted his fingers, touching her cheek. "Pull the blade. Please. Let me die by my princess' hand. Not the enemy's."

"Valcon," she said through a broken sob, "Do not go."

"By your kiss I will go," he whispered. His light was fading, but his eyes shimmered as stars beside their moon. Valcon guided her. Odette gripped the hilt of the dagger where his hand wrapped around her hold. "Together now."

Their lips met for the final time. Silver rose from his flesh and tumbled to the ground. Valcon tilted his head forward to deepen their passion, happy to feel Odette's hot tears spill over his face. Joyous to have her jasmine scent fill his nose. To drink in her heart. To know death could come so sweetly.