Stunned–that’s how she looks. Trapped, with no way out. Her eyes say it all. There’s no other way. He can do nothing but stare up at her. Every atom yells at him to fight, but he can’t bring himself to. There’s no way he can fight her.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG4vYqUdGJ
She takes a resolute step toward him. She’s always been so golden and radiant and right now, her radiance is tinged with sadness, regret, and other emotions he can’t quite place. She doesn’t want to do this.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHcD6eNQAX
It doesn’t have to be this way. She knows his choice. She can change her own.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnbmdbPKsy
“Laila.” His voice was just a breath. He reached out to her.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVegqdGlqn
She closes her eyes and turns her head. Tears make their way down her warm cheeks, glistening rivulets catching at her chin and turning into diamond droplets.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V4hzavn16
“Laila,” he tries again.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡlItx5HJUrc
He’ll try to reason with her. Someone so loving and kind-hearted can’t possibly go through with this. He doesn’t believe it. But the way she looks at him…copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD7HTyUzTk
“Stop,” she whispers, taking another step, her own slender hands reaching out.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXg1fQbKed
He steps forward toward her hopefully, but her hands close around his neck, fingers colder than the darkest pits of Hell. His arms fall limply to his side, and he just stares at her. He can’t fight her off. He won’t. Laila would never–copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzVk711QVt
But she leans over him, pressing him over the edge of the tower, jagged rock cutting into his back. He can’t breathe. His eyesight is becoming hazy.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o7960H0AB
Her mouth trembles and her tears trickle onto his face, scorching his skin. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. When she opens them, her expression is steady, though the tears still come.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxzCzOsLzH
“Oriax,” she says softly. “Goodbye.”copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqhUKoVMfR
She brings her lips to his and kisses him. His hands fly up of their own volition so one is around her waist and the other is tangled in her hair. He presses her body to his, his heart on fire. And just like that, she pushes herself free.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡghfnrmo9mZ
She releases her grip on his throat and in one deft movement, shoves him over the wall. He has no strength to do anything but keep his eyes on her as she watches him despairingly until the very last moment.copyright protection349ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIwkk58NQI
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