Snip. I watched as my long black hair was cut to my shoulders. The horrified gasps erupted in the crowd as they watched the raven black turn to snow white. Ironic, isn't it? Just moments ago, I was simply watching the kids at the orphanage. Now I'll be burned alive. How wonderful.
It doesn't take long for the guards to drag me out to a post and chain me up, and an even shorter amount for the crowds to start forming.
Thousands of disgusted and judgmental eyes prying at something to feast on, and I'm the main course. A caged beast, with a terrified future laid ahead. Was it death? Immense torture? Who knew. Only one person would decide my fate.
"I thought you were far more intelligent, Vivian. Have I perhaps overestimated you?"
A crude and bone-chilling voice I knew all too well. I barely glanced up, my eyes threatening to leap out of their sockets to wrap around his neck and squeeze the life out of him. Prince Zander Cristiano. His stupid smirk only fueled my anger.
"All you have to do is apologize, Viv… say the words and I'll kill everyone here.. we can run away.. live a quiet life.. just you.. and me.."
His eyes were soft, and his smile looked so sincere. Key word, looked. I knew it was a facade. He never truly loved me; he just wanted the glory of having a disposable witch at his fingertips. He leaned down to gently caress the side of my face. To me, his fingers felt like a burning hot iron covered in thorns crashing down the side of my face. A far worse fate than death. I spat in his face.
"I'd rather let the wind carry my ashes."
He stumbled back, hurriedly wiping off the spit. He grinned widely; he found this amusing. He started laughing. Hell, it seemed as if he was the true witch with his cackle.
"Then so be it."He turned to face the crowd, his arms extended.
"Burn the witch!"
The crowd burst into numerous cheers and praises. Waiting for my tears and cries of agony. I would not give them any of it. I kept my face straight; I would not allow these filthy pigs the satisfaction of my tears. I scanned the crowd. Faces of filthy men, their eyes filled with a hateful lust for my burning flesh. Fools, they should know that I will not bless their ears with the sweet melody of my cries.
My eyes stopped moving as they locked on one person. Killian. Why… why was he here? He was supposed to be at sea, making diplomatic trade agreements. My facade crumbles, but how could it not? His eyes were full of shock and pain.
Was it from the sight of my white ends? Was it from the pain of figuring out I was a liar? No… knowing him, it's from the sight of these shackles around my hands, and the cuts and bruises around my body. From the sight of me being tied to a stake. From the sight of stacks of wheat and hay surrounding me.
I couldn't hear his voice from the overlapping of the filthy men cheering at Prince Zander to set me ablaze, but I could see the tears welling up in his eyes. Oh, how his eyes glimmered against the light of the moon. His tears streamed down his face. I knew he wasn't an ugly crier, but this humoured me. I couldn't help but crack a small smile. Even in the face of death, his eyes are all I can think about. It was always like this. It's what drew me to him from the beginning. I wonder… could we ever go back to how it was? One could only dream.
Prince Zander threw the match onto the hay. The fire spread fast, lighting up the whole stack. I was the only source of light in this town. The darkness that enveloped me lit up with orange, red and yellow beams. I heard a cry that overpowered the cheers of the men.
"VIVIAN!!"
Killian. He was trying to run towards me, stumbling over the crowd, his eyes already puffy from tears as even more streamed down. Zander's guards quickly apprehended him. He might've been the Empire's crown prince, but witches were to be burnt no matter what.
He tried fighting them off. His hand extended, and he looked as if he were trying to grow an extra pair of arms to reach me. Even now, as I feel the flames of death sear into my skin, I can't help but chuckle. How in the world did we end up like this… Killian.