Chapter 11

“Ahhhhhhh!” She screams with excitement as he plants his foot into the stone and propels them higher. They continue like this as Ife tightens her arms around his neck. He smiles at feeling her close to him like this. They finally reach the top just as the sun begins to reach the horizon. They watch it together and she reaches out and holds his hand. He turns to face her and in the dimming light his eyes begin to glow as they adjust to night vision. She is enraptured by this mysterious man and she leans in he kisses her deeply. Thunder rolls in the distance as a storm begins to come in from the desert. The kiss feels like an eternity and when their lips separate, he says while staring deep into her eyes.

“Where I am from, I was treated much like that man from earlier. Attacked, berated, and abused on a daily basis because I was born different. My eyes made me an outcast and until someone very special stood up for me like you did here today, I never knew I was worth anything. That girl became my Sun, the light of my life that burned the darkness inside my heart away. All rage, anger and hate that I buried deep in my soul began to dissolve. She was the love of my life. Her name was…”

“Reina.” Ife replies as memories begin to rush back of their past together. “Roderick! How? Oh, my Gods you are alive!” She screams with excitement and hugs him tightly. The red river of blood tears begins to fall from his eyes.

“You remembered me. Reina, it has been so very long. I’ve become a monster! I’ve killed others, massacred them and fed on their blood. Please don’t hate me, this curse stops me from dying. I exiled myself for decades to try to control my urges!” He cries out and she pulls back to see his blood-stained face. and she wipes away his tears then kisses him.

“I would never hate you, my love. You are my heart and whatever curse you have been inflicted with we will deal with it together. I am the one who is sorry, I left you to wander all alone for all this time.” She says softly. “I’ve been betrothed to Commander Apophis but I will not marry him. I want to leave this city with you! Will you take me from here?” She asks. Roderick smiles. His dreams have come true at last, a new life awaits them.

“Yes, of course I will. I dared not ask you to leave this for me.” He replies.

“If you don’t mind, can you bring me back to the palace? I need to gather some belongings and say goodbye to my little sister.” She asks. He nods and picks her up in his arms.

“Get ready.” He says with a smile and leaps from the top of the pyramid. She screams with joy as they run down the side and leap out into the night sky. The wind blows through their hair and wide smiles are plastered on their faces. They both feel like children again, full of love and adventure. The promise of a new life lights the embers of hope deep in their souls. They leap through the night until they reach the palace steps. He lets her down and the two share a deep kiss under the full moon light.

“Wait here for me and when I return, we can leave this country. It shouldn’t take me longer than an hour to gather my things and say my goodbyes.” She smiles warmly at him and runs up the palace steps. Roderick sets out to find supplies that she will need for their journey. Pondering their idyllic future that stretches out before him. Ife sneaks past a guard and is forced to hide in the washroom as palace patrols walk by her. She waits for it to clear and quietly walks to her sisters room who is still sleeping. She stirs her awake and hugs her tightly.

“I love you to the sun and back.” Ife whispers and her sister begins to tear up for an unknown reason that escapes her. “Go back to bed little one.” She whispers as she kisses her on the forehead. Fighting back her own tears she leaves the room and heads towards her own. It is time to gather what she needs to leave. Father, I love you but you just can’t force your ways on me. She thinks as she turns the corner. She is sent falling after running directly into Apophis.

“Seize her and follow me!” Apophis shouts. Two guards apprehend her, and she struggles to free herself.

“Release me! I am your Princess! You will listen!” She bellows. Apophis turns and back hands her across the face.

“You were trying to flee your duties as a royal. It will not be tolerated by your husband, and I doubt your own father would allow you to skirt your duties. Imagine what would happen if the Princess disrespected her own Father’s wishes and a civil war broke out between my army and his.” Apophis says with a grin. Ife goes silent in order to work through the situation in her mind. She walks with the guards silently as she processes what to do next. Moments later they are in the throne room and Apophis is kneeling down in front of the Pharaoh.

“Oh Great one, please I beg you to help me! Your daughter was trying to flee the palace. I dare ask for you to convince her to marry me and unite our blood lines like what was promised!” He begs. The Pharaoh looks at his daughter and sees how distraught she is. He steps off the throne and walks down the steps.

“My daughter why do you not want this man?” He asks.

“He is not the man you think! Women are beaten by him nightly and I have found another who my heart belongs! A man who is a thousand times the man Apophis is!” She screams with tears in her eyes. Her father looks at the bloodied lip and turns to inflict righteous judgment.