#amanada

Clare remains steadfast in her loyalty to Gaius. She yearns for nearly two decades and gives up only because she is an old maid and can imagine no one wanting her. She joins an abbey with what little money she has and is sent away.

Gaius falters quickly, corrupted by his fellow crusaders and shortly finds himself seeking company in brothels and the bottom of tankards to assuage his guilt. He doesn't let himself think about the love waiting for him, because she has far better options back home.

It's a shame, when he leaves the service of the crown, that he has no options but to become a mercenary. And even more of a shame, that when he's ordered to raid an Abbey that's been getting a little too friendly with the Pagans in Ireland, that he doesn't recognize his other half.

He cuts her down in cold blood, only for a god/ess to step down from their holy throne and curse him for betraying someone as true and good as his heart's desire. Since he fears consequences and death so deeply, he will never die, except by her hand.

The God takes pity on Clare and gifts her with reincarnation, since her life was spent waiting on a man who would never honor his oath, and should he ever come crawling back, well... she needn't suffer him long.

Amanda is the latest life, who was offered the burden of knowledge to slay her other half. The divine oath collars her from being able to live freely, and even before she knew him, she felt him. Felt that loyalty to him.

And, frankly, Amanda wants him dead. She'll make it happen. Clare needs to be avenged. And no one else is going to do it.