As he sat upon Bella’s rooftop, the stars shone brightly above him and a light fall breeze caressed his skin. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the area around him, not sensing any paranormal beings. Gazing over the empty neighborhood, he felt adrift and alone, as if he stood on the brink of losing the person in his life that mattered most.
He had experienced it before during the days prior to Bella’s wedding to Ulric, and he detested how helpless and weak it had made him feel.
Bella’s days became eventful with fittings of her best gown that was being altered and embellished for the ceremony, and planning the courses of her wedding feast with the head cook. She smiled graciously as she tended to every detail, but he could see the pain in her gaze. It seemed as if her brow had been permanently creased, and her lips didn’t hold the bright smile he’d been used to seeing—instead, they sat in a tight, fine line.
As the time drew near for her to wed, the light within her eyes slowly dimmed, and it terrified him that it would eventually burn out and leave nothing but a shell of the woman he knew.
Agnes had proven to be true to her word to help them. She’d taken it upon herself to ensconce them in Bella’s chamber and stand guard at the door, informing all who approached it that the princess did not wish to be disturbed as she prepared for her wedding day. This had led to many heated arguments between Agnes and the other servants, but the woman fiercely protected her princess and never backed down.
Bella did not shed any more tears. She lay in his arms as they talked in hushed whispers, proclaiming their eternal love for each other. They physically joined as often as possible, their lovemaking slow and sweet, as if they could stop the march of time with gentle caresses and tender kisses.
On the rare occasion that he found himself alone, Jayden considered taking his own life after she’d left. He couldn’t imagine going on without her, but he’d also heard rumbles of a battle brewing between this kingdom and that of Ibering to the south. He’d be needed if war ensued; mayhap, that would be a good thing. A fight would most certainly take his attention away from the horrendous heartache assaulting him.
In the early morning hours of her wedding day, he lay in her bed. They had stayed awake all night and spoiled many cloths. Although he’d been diligent to avoid spilling inside of her, he sometimes wondered if their time together would produce a babe. It would be assumed that Ulric had fathered it, but it gave him pleasure to think of Arabella carrying his child, no one knowing the truth save the two of them.
He supposed he should feel guilt for such thoughts, and for ruining another man’s bride, but he had no regrets. In fact, he’d wished death on Ulric more than once, hoping the prince would meet some violent end before this day. However, her father would only wed her to someone else, and any time they could gain would be far too short.
He would likely burn in Hell for such considerations, but he could not help the way he felt. Arabella should have been his, and mayhap, in another time and place and under different circumstances, that might have been possible.
A soft knock sounded at the door, and Agnes’ voice carried through. “It is time, Your Grace.”
Arabella grasped his face in her palms. “Please, never forget me or what we have shared. Always know that you have my heart. No one else will ever be able to claim it, Jayden. Although I marry another today, I am leaving it with you.”
He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Aye. And I leave mine with you, Arabella.”
The knock sounded at the door again, and Agnes slipped in, keeping her back to them. “Your bath will arrive soon, and I must get you washed and dressed, Princess. Your knight must leave.”
He stood on rickety legs and pulled on his breeches and tunic, never taking his gaze from the princess. She stared at him from the bed, her black hair a tangled mess around her face and bare shoulders. Her dark gaze bore into him, and he could physically feel the sadness radiating from her, like a fist to his gut.
With every ounce of his will, he forced himself to walk to the door. Turning back, he found her eyes again.
There were no further words to be said, and he shut his lids for a brief moment.
“Goodbye, my love,” she whispered.
At that second, his heart either quit beating or turned to stone. He became numb. Once he stepped from this chamber, his life would no longer be worth living.
He heard voices on the stairs, and knew that the time had truly come. “Goodbye, Princess.”
Taking a deep breath, he tried to wash away the debilitating sadness of the memory. This time, he had a choice. This time, if she’d have him, Arabella would be his. There were no obstacles in this life to stop them from being together. The only thing that stood in their way happened to be a demon, and he had faith that she would possess the strength and wits to end its existence, allowing them to finally live in peace, without secrets or regrets.