@dechaagny said ‘ it’s an engagement ; not a crime . ’
❛ RAOUL . . . ❜ his name falls from her lips like a half - hearted plea - a request to not ask it of her . she cannot explain it again . not in a way that he will understand . how can something as pure as the love that she feels for him be so DANGEROUS ? so damning ? ❛ i cannot - ❜ whatever remains of the phrase is trapped in her throat , and she merely shakes her head , fingers covering trembling lips .
the words ring in her ears : not a crime . but it feels like a crime . it is a crime . a crime for which she is culpable . for in recognizing their engagement as anything more than hopeful whispers & a ring on a chain , she CONDEMNS him to a life tormented . a life constantly at the behest of an angel she cannot see or trust. an angel that kills . an angel that has ENSURED that she cannot be free . and , if she does not risk his life by becoming his bride , she SENTENCES him to a life with her . the girl who teeters between music & madness . what right does she have to ask this of him ? what happiness might she truly bring him ?
tears brim in her eyes , threatening to catch on her lashes . to step out of the darkness & love him fully in the light of day is a dream , but perhaps it must remain merely that . a pretty dream that can keep the nightmares of her reality at bay . she cannot endanger him . she will not . and yet , her heart calls for him . she takes a tentative step , closing distance between them . she reaches for the ring , presses it to her lips , and takes another step . hands find respite against arms that seem to have a firmer grip on reality - sanity - goodness than she is capable of . she dips her head , tucking it safely under his chin .
❛ one day , love , . . . i promise you will understand . ❜
