Zaiden steps out from the shadows, his eyes adjusting to the dim light of the moon filtering through the hedge maze. He looks at Esmeray, taking in her disheveled appearance and the fear in her eyes.
"Esmeray," he says softly, his voice low and soothing. "It's just me. I followed you to make sure you were safe."
She stares at him for a moment, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. Then, without warning, she launches herself at him, burying her face in his chest.
"Zaiden," she whispers brokenly. "I'm so tired of this. Tired of pretending, tired of being alone..."
"I know. Esmeray I can't ask you to run away with me, it would be selfish to leave everything behind , it would be selfish to kidnap you this moment. Everything in me wants to, for almost a year I have been fighting to not do that, seeing you with him, seeing how he enjoys you, and hurts you its burning me inside. "
Esmeray's grip on Zaiden tightens, her fingers digging into his uniform jacket. She can feel the heat of his body, the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek. His words send a shiver down her spine - the knowledge that he wants to save her, to take her away from all of this, is both exhilarating and terrifying.
"I wish you would," she whispers against his chest. "I wish you would kidnap me and never let me go."
She pulls back slightly, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. "But you're right. We can't. I have duties, responsibilities..." Her voice trails off as she glances back toward the maze entrance, half-expecting Xerxes to appear at any moment.
Zaiden's hand comes up to cup her cheek gently, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "I know," he murmurs. "And I won't ask that of you. I would burn the world for you, as long as no one else gets to have you..I would travel the galaxies to find you, in this life and the next you and I are one.."
Zaidens eyes begin to tear up, he must let her go, he needs to, for his sake and the safety of the kingdom. "Esmeray my Aunt Urela found a perfect Lady for me to marry, she is from the Kingdom of Lancaster her father was close to my parents. " He pulls back searching for her eyes, those brown eyes he loves "I am to marry come this Spring "
Esmeray's eyes widen in shock, her breath catching in her throat. "Marry?" she repeats, the word tasting bitter on her tongue. "You're going to marry someone else?"
Zaiden nods grimly, his expression pained. "It's what's best for us"
He looks at her earnestly, his hand still cupping her cheek. "But know that my heart will always belong to you, Esmeray. No matter what happens, no matter who I marry - you are the one I love."
Esmeray's vision blurs with tears as the weight of his words settles over her. This is it - the moment she's been dreading since they first confessed their feelings to each other. The moment their love is ripped away, sacrificed on the altar of duty and politics.
She leans into his touch, memorizing the feel of his hand against her skin although it pains her she knows this love story must end "With great pain I give you my blessings "
They both make their way back, he kisses her forehead one last time, with an ache of a thousand stabs he leaves her. Having enough of today Esmeray secretly wipes her tears.
"Where were you? And why is your hair in a mess" Xerxes speaks from behind her.
Esmeray turns to face him "Xerxes not now, " he pulls her hand preventing her from leaving her "We are to keep on a show remember" suddenly his hand is removed "Everything alright my princess?" Zaiden came back, he knew Xerxes would do something
"Commander we were just having a marital discussion "
"Really? Because it looked more like bickering to me" Zaiden tightens his grip whispering into Xerxes ears "You already have a bad reputation don't make things worse for her "
"Commander please, it's fine. People are watching" begs Esmeray, reluctantly Zaiden lets go "Forgive me, Princess. I will take my leave "
"Commander. I will talk to him " she tells Xerxes but he wraps his arm around her waist "No, stay please" he says