umei no miko- part 2

I patted him on the head and slightly sighed. Who knew that I would be bonded with Derek the crazy pervert? But it was not a huge problem. I knew the reasons behind how he acted and he knew mine. I pulled out of the hug a moment later to see my grandma in front of us all.

"Milady," She stated with a strong voice. "Your mother requests your presence."

I shot her a strange look. "Sandra?"

She only half bowed and grabbed my arm not in the slightest caring for me. Derek noticed my worry and took off beside me. I saw my grandma shoot him a look before ignoring the fact that he was following us. She pushed me into the carriage just outside the sacred gates and we took off.

What is going on? I thought. Sandra wants to see me? But then why would …

Derek squeezed my hand and offered me a look of sympathy. Don't worry about it. Nothing is going to happen his eyes seemed to say. After suffering in silence we arrived at our destination. I was yanked out of the carriage and pulled into a building that I didn't recognize. Inside held deep lamps barely lit surrounded by guardian statues along the corridor. My grandma stopped abruptly before talking to the closed green double doors before us.

"I have brought her," She yelled.

The doors swung open and the view of the palace appeared before me. I felt my heart stall as I recognized the colors and design. The marble floor was checkered and inscribed with green and gold crescent moons. Bright green pillars held up the ceiling and behind them were pictures and mosaics of the moon kingdom. Near the north of the room steps lead to the blinds covering the view of the royals.

I was pushed forward by strong hands and I stumbled into the room before the blinds. Behind them I could see the shadows of a man and women. Derek stepped forward with me and looked in the general direction. He looked the same as I did, nervous and disgusted.

"Why is he here?" A deep voice boomed. "I only asked for the women."

I felt anger rise in my stomach but also a sense of sadness. My father was the same as always. He never cared for me at all. I stepped forward and spat all my anger out. "Do not disrespect him! I am bonded to this knight and he has every right to be beside me."

"So that was tonight," He replied. "No matter. We have come to talk to you about a specific… issue."

"Dear," My mother said. "Can you be a bit more polite? She is your daughter for-"

"Silence!" My dad screamed. "You have no say. I am King!"

I saw my mom withdraw from her position before the attention was turned back to me.

"As you know," My father continued. "You have been training and working as this world's savior. Your death will bring balance to this kingdom and make it prosper with riches. So as is declared. Come one week your life shall be forfeit at the blade."

"What?" I screamed along with a few other voices. "You cannot be serious."

"You low life women. You have no right to say anything. You are no child of mine. Get out! You and your life shall fulfill the prophecy as planned."

I felt tears spill down my face. "Fine. You were never my family anyways."

I bowed and booked it out of the room without anyone to stop me. I ignored the man at the carriage and took off into the trees nearby. Following close to my heels, my knight chased after me. I felt pain through the insides of me. Who would issue something like that? Why now of all times?

I sobbed and took my sorrow out on my running. I let my voice cry out to the moon as I pushed myself harder not caring where I was going or what was going to happen to me.

"Karin, wait!" Derek screamed from behind me. "Stop running!"

No! I screamed in my head. NO No No. I won't accept it!

I was stopped in my tracks by a blur of movement. Derek was now in front of me. He pulled me into a hug and slumped down to the ground as if to prevent me from going anywhere. I grabbed at his clothes and screamed.  Over and over again I continued to hit him taking everything I had and shoving it into my fists.

Why? Why?? This is not how it's supposed to be!! I am supposed to live and save the world… not… be… sacrificed at the hands of that monster.

Derek placed a hand on the top of my head stopping my movements. "Are you done yet?"

I rested my head onto his chest and took in a breath not wanting to say anything. I was comforted for the moment. Having someone who knew my feelings wasn't a bad thing to have. It was like having that one person who could connect and you don't even have to mention anything but they knew what was going on. A best friend, a boyfriend, even that little stuffed animal who took your tears would be it.

Derek placed his lips to my forehead in comfort. My whole body filled with warmth at his simple gesture. He pulled me slightly away but still holding onto my hands. I saw sadness fill his blue eyes.

"You will not die," He stated with certainty.

"What?" I said back. "How do you know that?"

He grabbed my right hand and placed it onto his chest. I flushed a vibrant red at the movement but Derek seemed unfazed. He closed his eyes and the crescent moon on my hand started to glow along with his chest.

"A life forfeit for one.  A knight's promise shall be kept," He whispered.

"Then," I complained remembering what the promise held. "You will die in my place."

Derek looked into my eyes with courage. "I wasn't expecting the promise to be upheld so soon but I will not take it back. A life for a life. That is my honor to you."

I thought about it for a second and felt my heart sink. I couldn't live without him. Not after tonight. Someone with that special bond to you would be your best friend. The only person to truly know you inside and out, knowing your thoughts and your actions with a simple touch would be someone irreplaceable.  "You cannot just die! Who would know me? Who would know my pain? Who would protect me, be my best friend? We have a bond… And to break that soo soon. Especially when I just realized what you actually mean to me… It's unthinkable."

Derek grabbed my flailing arms and rested them next to his lips. "I will protect you Priestess. Even if it means coming back and haunting all those who threaten to harm you. And if it means anything to you as it does me. I shall be by your waking side up until that last moment of my very life. You will live and save us all."