Dark Chapter 11: Battle of the Lovers ((part 2))

Just as his foot hit the ground beyond the doorway a dagger whizzed past his head missing him barely cutting my hand as I winced in pain clutching it close. Stephano set me down gently "If we both die out there I just want you to know I love you." he said kissing me sweetly before running at Alem with sword in hand. Alem now had a sword rather than a dagger. Stephano made a bit clumsy and vicious slashes across his chest ripping his shirt. Alem took a few stabs badly injuring his shoulder. Luckily none of them noticed me slink closer desperately reaching out for the fallen dagger covered in my own blood. I thought if I can fight then I can save him...I need to... As the thought came and went I saw more of the bright red liquid drop on the floor like gory raindrops. I won't make it crawling I thought so I struggle to my feet getting more of my blood everywhere but I don't care. Neither of them noticed me stagger at the edges slowly getting closer to Alem. Eventually Stephano's eyes widen as I limped behind him and just as he turns around I stab him  "Stay down!" I yelled twisting the knife at a painful speed hearing him whimper and I came back to my senses "W-What have I done...I'm so sorry." I said collapsing to Alem's side. I felt horrible I just made him suffer for falling in love with me...it was like Stephano stabbing me. I gently touched his face as he touched it gently smiling barely. I had glazed eyes "I'm sorry.." Stephano stood there watching knowing now what we had done. This was murder. I felt the warmness fading and I sobbed softly. I then remembered my laudanum sure it was my last but I couldn't just watch him suffer from my hand. I opened his mouth still feeling his shallow breaths Stephano knelt down to help me save him. I gave him a surprised and sad look and he nodded solemnly indicating 'I'll help now but he will pay'I whispered gently "Drink...shhh" I cooed gently hoping if anything he would fall asleep and get a small break from the pain. At least now we are even, Alem a part of me thought bitterly. I looked at Stephano and he helped me up but not Alem, I fought out of his arms "W-We can't just leave him." I fell again next to Alem "Just get up ,Alem!! Get up!!!" I was feeling guilt and hurt eat away at me. Stephano picked me up and had Alem on his back.

We got back to a bedroom and stuffed him into a be, watching him caress the covers lovingly. On the other hand I refused to lye down and I wanted to talk to Stephano. I was sitting in his lap while he cooed me gently to ease my guilt "He'll be fine. Don't worry I'm here." He kissed me gently so I could feel the warmth of his lips and the life come back to me from its sparks. As we pulled away and nodded "You're right I wasn't in my right mind.." I trailed off and he smiled at me before turning to Alem and frowning "What about him he can't stay here long. He's the Barrel leader." I nodded accepting this lightly "i'm not leaving him it's not fair and we are even now i got him to be in pain like I was but I'm not hurting him more than I need to." I could tell he understood because of the strong acceptance in his golden eyes. After that we just lay together cuddling, feeling each others love and warmth knowing how lucky we were.

After about an hour of this Alem stirred in his sleep and awoke me but not Stephano. At least now if I need to I can talk to him in private I thought getting up and waltzing over careful not to wake my golden lover. I gave him a faint smile and kept walking. I sat in a rickety old chair nearby and felt Alem's head lovingly. His face as red and I couldn't tell if his wounds were rejecting the medicine. I was worried but I was not in love with him. Suddenly his deep chestnut eyes opened and seemed to gloss rather quickly. His hoarse voice crept weakly out of his throat "A-Aradia...I'm so sorry.." he touched my hand gently pulling it back to his cheek smiling lightly. My eyes were now glossy too as I rubbed my thumb lightly to comfort him. He smiled and for once I smiled back at him. But his looked back at me with mournful eyes and I was realizing what was happening. Alem wasn't going to make it.

"No no no no no..." I whispered to him putting my forehead on his "I can't believe I-I murdered you." I sob quietly. He gently wipes away my tears with what little strength he has left "It's okay I would have done it too..I still love you can I have one last kiss before I go?" he asked weakly and I just kissed him passionately. I couldn't deny a dead mans wish especially when its my fault he won't make it. After a minute he pull away and he sounds weaker "Have fun with Stephano and I hope I didn't hurt you too much.." I felt both our hearts change from the fact I know he had changed for me and I saved him and was reassured by his words. "I will" I whisper putting my forehead back on his feeling his warmth slip away again.