Chapter Two (part 8)

Dymetri slowly sank onto the floor underneath the window with Echo still in his arms. She wasnt crying but every now and again her breathing would become uneven. Instantly when this happened, the elf would hold her tighter to him and whisper into her ear until she calmed.

Dymetri knew that if she broke down enough, that there would be a possibility of her jumping out the window and running away again. And if she did, he didn't know if he'd find her and he couldnt lose her.

When they were both sitting under the window's edge the sun warming the tops of their heads, Echo spoke.

Her voice cracked. "Why?"

Dymetri was confused. "Why what?" His voice was soft and gentle.

"Why choose me? Why over the other girls, princesses, thay would be so much better for you. I'm a freak." She gestured at herself. "And they're normal." Her tone was pained.

He blinked and finally understood. That's why she doubted his promise. She was afraid that if she let herself in too far that he would just throw her aside for another woman, a princess to be exact.

"You're worried about that?" He asked.

"Well, why not? I'm not right for anyone. I was born to be alone. It's what I get for being what I am. There has to be a person suffering in the world so everyone knows that what they have in life is good. It gives everyone someone to pitty but never do anything about it. I was chosen to be that someone.

"The one who is on the very bottem. Barely gets by. Hides the pain but yet everyone realizes that their life is so much better. The one who everyone makes fun of and curses at just because they dont really understand anything except that, that one doesnt belong in the world.

"I should even exist. My existance was a total accident. I shouldnt even be here. I should be six feet under or my ashes spread over the world. I should have died when I was little. My parents shouldn't have saved me from them. Princess Danalia would be so much better off with you. You would be better off with her. Not someone who shouldnt even be alive."

Dymetri's heart sank. If she hadn't been saved...he didn't want to think. He couldnt imagine what life would be like without this beautiful woman who lay in his arms now. He turned her around so that she faced him where she sat in his lap.

"Echo. You are here for a reason. Fate brought you to me and I'm not about to let you get away." He gave her a stern look. Echo stared into his eyes. The gold was molten, boiling with and intense light. She lost herself in his eyes. In the warmth of his heart. She nodded, unable to speak.

The intesity grew the longer she looked. The liquid gold was drowning her, but she was still alive.

"Echo. I love you. And I'm not letting my father's demands stop that. All I need to know is if you love me too and it will be enough." He lifted his hand and gently pulled her face towards his.

His breath was warm on her face and Echo didn't pull away. When his lips touched hers, fire bound them together.

An ancient rhyme rang through her head, spoken almost like it was to be a curse.
Love is like fire. Fire is like love.
You can choose what it does.
It can burn you alive.
Or cleanse your soul well.
It can send you to heaven.
Or throw you in hell!

Echo knew there wasnt a way to escape now.

She leaned into the kiss. Dymetri pulled her closer to him. Her fingers tangled into his black hair as he asked for entry. Echo smiled as she gave in, sighing as he deepened the kiss. Time stopped and they were lost.

However, all good things must end. Everything must end somehow.

The door flew open with a loud bang. Both jump in startlement and Echo let out a quiet scream. Both elf and werecat looked up from where they sat below the window into the furious face of the royal at the door.