"Oh, you won't be coming--" It's the same warm voice, ever calm, ever kind and yet lacking any emotion while he watches trunk after trunk getting loaded on the carriage. Within a few weeks he'd be residing at the Vatican, and her--- well, some place else. "That-- joyful little thing between you and me ends today, Anne. I'm afraid I no longer need you."
Her breathing came slow but herheart was racing – her hands trembled as she watched the active courtyardprepare for the journey ahead. The trip in question, Paris to Rome, was one shehad been preparing for. All had been well, she had seen no sign of this, shehad felt nothing wrong between them as news came that he had been elected –finally being awarded what they had striven for, plotted for, and killed for.He had spoken of what their life would be like soon, when in Rome, the grandeur,the beauty – their dream, their happiness.
Suddenly, it felt as if her corsetwas too tight or if a dagger had been plunged into her side and twisted.Everything between came flooding back to her in a wave of emotion, it sweptover her, drowning her quickly. Her breathing quickened, like that of acornered animal, prepared to fight for its life. Jewel toned hues shiftedbetween the two guards that stood near to them, he had been preparing for this,knowing her reaction would not one of graceful, demure understanding. He fearedthat the knife he had just stabbed her in the back with would end up in hisheart. She could even feel the cold steel blade heavy in the pocket of hergown.
“This – joyful little thing.” She hissed venom in her voice as she took a steptowards him. “You -no longer need me?”How many times had been betrayed by those she had trusted, loved even? Sheshould have learned when the man she had married put a noose around her neckthat love was a lie. That there was no one worth trusting in this world – therewas no one worth loving in this world. Love only alluded to heartbreak. Once again the only salvation she saw toendure and survive was to become the heartless creature they all made her – andforced her to be. Never again would be trust. Never again would she love.
She gathered every ounce ofstrength, clung to the adrenaline that rushed through her body and let herheart shatter. Cold, dead emerald hues rounded on him, narrowing into daggersas she stepped forward, fingers curling around the hilt of her stiletto.
“I’m afraid,” A cruel smile pulledat the corner of her lips as she drew her blade, “you won’t be reaching Rome.”