#4

I don't think I made an update on Thursday like I promised I would. And since I had time on Saturday night....


I ran my hand across the railing of the balcony; feeling the cold stone beneath my finger tips. The party inside was one of the best, but it held no interest for me. I had managed to buy a dress for the occasion. Black, long, with thick straps hanging on my shoulders. It fit like a glove. My hair was tied up in a loose bun with my curls hanging down. A small silver crown was placed on my head. I looked okay, I suppose. No longer did the way I look matter to me. It was just as important to me as this party was.

I heaved a heavy sigh and turned back to face the elegant building. With my elbows resting on the railing, I watched the party inside unfold. Men and women danced and twirled around on the dance floor. They smiled and laughed as they danced. All of them paying no attention to anyone but their partner. I could hear the music swirling around in the air. I did not recognize the piece, it must have been an original composition. Never the less, it was just as beautiful as the night. I smiled weakly to the people inside. A woman with short black hair and a petite silver dress nodded to me from inside the ball room. I nodded back to her and she and her partner continued with their dance.

"It's a lovely night tonight." said someone at the other end of the balcony. I jumped as I heard them speak out. "I'm sorry, I did not mean to frighten you." he spoke again.

"It's alright. I just did not see you standing there." I amended. The man walked out of the shadow so I was able to see him. It was Duncan. I had not noted that it had sounded like him before. If I would have, I could have escaped this situation before it happened.

"Miss Luna, what a pleasure it is to see you again." he said as he made his way to my part of the balcony.

"Monsieur Duncan," I curtsied.

"No need for formalities, my dear. This is a casual event." Duncan reminded me.

"Then what is it you want, Duncan? I have no need to see you. Nor do I desire to." I replied, all manners forgotten.

"Likewise, dear. Though I do have some unfinished business to attend to." he reached out and grasped my wrists; making sure I was unable to get away. This is what I had feared would happen. Duncan would either take advantage of me, or kill me. Or even both. Standing here on a balcony was a fatal choice to have made.

"Did you think a little stunt like last times would have stopped me? Did it ever occur to you I would return?" he reached into his pocket quickly and pulled out a dagger. He raised it to my face so I was able to see its gleam in the moonlight. He released my wrists, but I knew better than to struggle. That would only make my death come faster. I would have no time.

"I knew you would return for me. Though I did not believe that you would kill me if I were to decline your request for matrimony. This is foolish. You should let me go in peace. I will never bother you again. I will move out of the country, if that is what you wish." I said as I tried to buy myself more time.

"Silly girl. If I cannot have you, then no man will!" he moved the dagger away from my face and to my neck.

"What if I did not decline? What if I were to accept your proposal?" I said.

"Then we would not have this conversation and your life would be spared. Do you accept, dear?" Duncan asked. His dark eyes gleamed just like the blade he was slowly removing from my neck.

"I believe you should do this right. Proposing is a special moment for the man and woman both." I lied. This would not be a memorable moment for me. Even so, Duncan nodded his head and slid down on one knee in front of me. He took my hands in his, careful of the dagger he still held in view.

"Luna, my love. Would you marry me?" he asked wickedly. His eyes flickered down to the weapon, a reminder of what would be my future if I were to say no.

A thought popped into my head. What if I were to contact Alexander at this very moment? Surely he was at the party and would come to my aid immediately. Our link was still strong, therefore this would not be a complicated task. Alexander, I thought. Alexander, I need you. Come out onto the balcony. Hurry!

He responded right away: Luna? I'm coming.

"Well?" Duncan asked impatiently. He let go of my hands and got his knife ready for my answer.

"I," I started. I was buying both Alexander and I time. I pretended to think for a moment, then forced tears to fall from my eyes. "I'll have to say...ye-"

"Luna!" Alexander yelled. I smiled and waited for him to come over. I did not dare move, for fear that I would be the victim of the sharp blade. "Luna." he said again as he reached us. He looked down at Duncan who was snarling at Alexander. He looked back up at me in amazement.

You know what has to happen now, do you not? he asked in my mind.

I know, and I'm sorry. I replied. He nodded and raised his hand above Duncan. For a brief second, Duncan was completely still. He did not move or blink as Alexander's magic made it's way through his body. The next second the dagger clattered to the floor and Duncan was dead. The people inside were oblivious to the happenings out on the balcony.

I leaped over Duncan's lifeless body and into Alexander; embracing him tightly. He returned my hug.

"What is the matter with you? Can you not defend yourself without my aid?" his voice was muffled as he buried his face into the side of my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Alexander. I did not know what else to do!" I said, releasing him. I stared up at his face, which did not show any traces of disappointment. His brown eyes stared back at me and he smiled. I smiled back.

"It's alright. As long as you're safe. You were lucky I came tonight."

"Yes, very. Why did you, exactly?" I asked suspiciously. This caught him off guard and I laughed.

"I-I guess I just wanted to see you. You know how I feel about this whole separation thing." I nodded. I didn't like it either.

"The feeling is mutual." I said. He smiled.

"Good. Then I guess you wouldn't mind if I did something," he said as he got down onto one knee and pulled a small velvet box from his jacket. I gasped as I realized what he was thinking.

"Would you marry me, Luna?" he asked. He opened the tiny box to reveal a ornate diamond ring. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I laughed out loud.

"You know that's the second proposal I've received tonight?" Alexander laughed with me and placed the ring onto my left hand. He then stood and waited for an answer. I answered him silently and he embraced me. We kissed beside Duncan's body and reentered the ball room; all the night's previous events forgotten.

We announced our engagement and everyone except for our parents cheered. They never did like the idea of the two of us getting married. That's why they had set us up with other people, like Duncan, and hoped we would forget each other. But the link we shared became stronger and unbreakable.