Release her, the voice is somber and holds the tone of one of my guards.

Nadeje does no such thing. There are a few more steps.

I command you to release Ms. Orange.

Nadeje, let me go. Though I do not desire it.

He continues his gaze past me and does not respond.

My heart wavers.

Sir, I ask you to release the girl.

Let me go, I try.

He does nothing. My heart falters. He needs to move. I beg him. God, pleaseIf this was punishment for when I would not leave him and run, I hate it, I hate him. I dig my nails into his stomach.

Nadeje, I try. He does not respond. I cannot let him stay. Nadeje, run, he stares constantly. I dig my nails in hard. Nadeje!

His gaze comes to me. The fierceness and anger in his eyes causes an overwhelmed pressure to push at my courage, but I command myself to remain calm enough to speak. Slowly, his eyes gentle on me as though assured.

I muster up everything I can inside. I make my hands relax on him and grasp instead to his shirt. I have to do it, else I know he wont. I remember the flash of his eyes that night when he first almost kissed me. I remember his teachings of freedom, of how it is always there, and how if only people acted on it like it was theirs already. The words sparkle clearly to me as his eyes do. I see the mystery hidden behind his eyes. I realize the message. I realize that if this is the last moment, it had to be the most precious. I know his meaning. If he acted on it, surely they would harm him for inappropriate and forced engagement with mebut if it was me Before I can let myself hesitate, I jerk forward. I move without control or thought. My hands fly to his neck and I leap up to my toes as I irrationally pull his head down to meet mine. The shock of his warm breaths closeness is dizzying, but it vanishes just as soon as the space between our lips. I kiss him. I feel it before I know it has happened, and it takes a moment to regain my senses. Soon, I lose them again.

A wash of coolness causes me to shudder into him, and it weakens as the warmth of his mouth moves over mine. He is cautious with me, following and not leading in case of their wrath. Momentarily, seeming to believe in my intentions, he slowly moves his hands up to cup my face and bring me closer. I kiss him moderately but deeply, treasuring it to be held in my mind for the rest of however long it may be. He groans a little into my mouth and I release a small staggered breath. He delicately presses against the back of my head to tilt me closer, and gradually, not hearing the guard making any indication to stop it, I let him.

There is a light splash against my face and I feel tears burn in my eyes as I know time is running out. I feel my chest catch and pull my mouth back a little from his.

Run and go The whisper lasts a millisecond between us, for our lips brush back together again and I breathlessly let him go on. I press him gently as he seems to know it is ending and silently, I let out a long breath against his cheek. He whispers something against my lips to me but I cannot make it out. I reply with a gentle pressure and I feel him mouth the word Lyra back to me. I feel the tension in the air, though he is as relaxed as ever. I feel him slow further and know now is the last piece of the memory. I kiss him once and he lightly returns it. Slowly, I part our lips.

I feel our breaths combine as we stay within inch distance of each other. I let the breath tumble out with the whisper.

You need to go He disobediently presses close.

Let me go and leaverun and go free He exhales softly and it trembles against my lips. I fight the urge to groan and push forward.

Remember our plangoplease go He frowns against me and I feel the resentment in him as his hands tighten adamantly.

Nadeje I breathe scared. My Nadeje He pauses against me and I feel my heart falter. I have touched him. I let it out.

I love you, dearly.

His eyes open as mine do and he stares at me with a blissful expression. I have changed him. I feel tears blur my vision as his eyes clear. There is a moment where there are only the stars above and the earth below and him right in the middle with me, but I know my place and silently push aside the notion of seclusion. He brushes his nose to mine and slides it along my cheek bone. He remains and kisses me twice on my forehead, once on each brow. I beg him silently. He leans his face to mine and they fit together perfectly. His warmth is comforting. I keep my eyes closed for it is more bearable that way. There is the light detachment of his hands and he whisks away. My eyes open into darkness as he leaves me.

I feel the guard behind me stride forward and know the pain is coming. There is the sharp absence of his frame fitting along mine and I ignore it knowing the price could have been undesirable. The shouts are background as I frightfully watch the shadows of Nadeje disappear into the alley. I release the tension in my body and slowly relax. I am grabbed from the back and the tension returns, though not as much. I turn willingly to the guard as he snatches me to him and squeezes my arm in warning. I feel him urge me forward on my last path, opposite from Nadejes. I accept and shortly I let him take me on.

The rain is misty now, but it strengthens in the wind and brings a cooling air to the weather. I step slowly but steadily, not thinking to hurry in the shadows over uneven ground. The street begins to feel slippery in some places, and the fluttering in my stomach causes anxiety to help me further. Then, there was a soft rumble above and I feel my skin prickle in warning: Thunder. I hasten, knowing a greater risk of falling was better than remaining out if lightening joins its faithful companion. The rain hardens as there is a small lighting flash above. I long for the warmth and shelter of Nadejes body to be near to me again. I push this aside with a need to focus on where I am now. I have been walking at least ten minutes, maybe fifteen. I must be I see it. The wall stands up abruptly in my path at least 60 feet from where I am positioned. I feel a light thudding in my chest and my pulse hardens in my neck. I am too close to want to go on. There are a few individual dark forms close to the wall at an interval of every sixteen feet, making it impossible for anyone to escape or climb the wall. Luckily, this is not my intention. The distance between the men though, could come useful to one who is trying not draw attention, especially with the rainy haze clouding the eye from far off motion.

I take a deep breath as I round the corner of a house and step quietly over the ground, even though the rain must block any error. I lose sight of it as I turn into a dry alley which I hurry across, and then I return to my path. I step to one of the small bridge-like constructions over one of the citys canals which run through and around the streets from the east. There is a shiver running along my spine as I close in on the wall.

Then, someone grabs me. I gasp and turn in time to see that it is not Nadeje. It must be one of my guards. I struggle to free myself. The man is short but brawny, and the more I fight the more he grunts and tightens his hold on my wrists. Then, there is a loud clash and his eyes widen as his grasp loosens. He turns his back on me.

I am released and there is the sound of metal on metal and I know I have been saved. I stumble and move back to stay on my feet, but my knees buckle and I am useless. I fall back and land on my hip. I cringe but find it not as painful as I had expected, so I manage to crawl back. There is the sound of thunder in the distance and I didnt realize how hard the rain has gotten.

Suddenly, there is a flash and a savage rumble like cannon fire. There are shouts and I automatically begin to rise. I dont know where to turn it is so dark. A second flash reminds me where I am. I am on my feet but am still trembling. I run.

I run forward not knowing where else. I hear a crack and savage yell before me, and a breaking sound in harmony with a flash of lightening. I cannot see where I am apart from the shadows moving around me. I sob out in worry that they might see me, but they seem distracted by something else. I listen.

Shes coming down! Run!

I frown at the cry. Coming down? Rain and lightning, could they mean?

Then, I hear it, another fierce crack and the sound ofcrumbling?

Suddenly, a chorus of yells and cries fill the space around me, echoing beneath in the canals as the night-watchers begin to run. I hear doors slam in the distance. Then it happens. There is an atrocious crash and the ground seems to vibrate lightly. It frightens me as there are some cries which do not finish. The sound of water running is all that finishes the last of my courage to remain here.

I run. This is my mistake. I run forward and soon find that it is toward the sounds being made. There is another crunch as something heavy falls and hits the ground. I look around me but see nothing threatening. I trip on something and land hard on a rocky surfacerubble. What was it? I scratch myself as I try to get up. Was thisI turn my head and see unfamiliar blackness. I hear the water now, right in front of me.

The wall.

I back away and look out through the opening which has been created by the cracking rocks. There is another sound as the rocks adjust in their stacking and queasiness fills me. The lightening had hit the wall, which meantThere is a crack and a series of tumbling stones fall in the distance. I run away from the wall, but it surrounds the whole city. Shadows dance across the ground, and rain only diminishes the use of eyes in the night.

There are some shouts and battling yells.

The Spanish are coming!

The Dutch have arrived!

I am too busy trying not to trip over something that I can hardly contemplate the two sides of the yelling. Then, one stops me.

Lyra!

I halt in my tracks. I listen, hard over all the other shouts and cries.

Lyra! The yell is desperate and familiar to me.

I look about me but cannot see anyone near.

Leifde!

This time it is closer. This time I know it is Nadeje. I turn a circle around me, but I cannot see anybody.

Lyra! I hear it to my left and forward, still a distance away.

Nadeje I whisper. I walk forward as there is another flash. I see the many running shadows and beg God that the one calling my name would run in this direction.

LYRA!

I feel my tears take over and break down. Nadeje! I cry.

There is silence and I hear only the other shouts to run and get help.

I feel fear grip me. Gilch?!...NadejeNADEJE!

Then, it comes. Lyra?!

I bolt forward then stop. Gilch!

A flash lights up the space before me. He must see me, for I feel something shift inside. There is a yell and another vicious crack. I feel my heart falter. There is a crumbling sound and something behind me slips out of its place in the wall.

Move!

I turn and see it crumbling down towards me. I scream. Then, I fall.

Chapter 22.

I feel nothing and see nothing. All my senses are diminished other than hearing.

I hear everything: the shouts, the rain, the thunder, the water, the calls, the cries, even the rocks adjusting in their place. Darkness envelops me and I feel light and airy, as though I could fly, but something is holding me down. Suddenly, a pain shoots through my head and my eyes fly open into darkness. I feel a weight crushing me and pinning me to the floor.

My body aches. There is a pounding in my head and I feel close to a fever. I cannot remember where I am for a moment. Then I remember.

Nadeje.

He was hereI let out a small groan of pain and feel a tear stream down my cheek. I feel fear grip me as I endure the throbbing in my body. What if I am forgotten? I close my eyes recognizing that all I see is ground and dark blurs. I try to command myself to move but I cannot; the weakness in my head and limbs is too strong.

I remain and decide that I will stay here, forget all things and let myself sink into the ground, beaten. I dream off into a world where I am alone and at peace, where I can be by myself with no one to be frightened of. Where Nadeje would come to me and I could feel him without feeling guilt or shame, without having to worry about proprietys risk. Where I could hear him calling me with love and no hesitancy, with desperation and need.

Then, in the back of my mind I hear it, him calling me. Lyra!

There is a space and I feel my heart falter.

Lyra! God, Lyra!

I am back. I wake up from the dream and suddenly the weight crushing me feels more real. So does the yell.

Lyra!

This time, I feel a weak tug inside. NadejeI hear boots scratching over the ground, scuffling closer. Rocks are thrown aside and there is desperation in the movements. It is not a dream.

Lyra! It is sob, a yell, a call, a need.

It is also real.

I am too weak to respond. Rocks slide a little away and I can hear his harsh breathing now, coming in rattling exhales. His steps are wavering, stumbling and his tension apparent.

Lyra He exhales it and inhales it, my name, as though it is just as needed as the air he breathes. LyraLyra ThimletOrange I beg him silently in my thoughts to see me. There are a few more steps. A rock moves an inch away.

Lyra It is a needing breath. Then, another rock moves. Lyra? It is questioning. Lyra? It grows sure. Lyra! It is a gasping assertion.

There are the sounds of rocks moving and being thrown aside. I feel a lightness come over my body as the rocks are moved. I feel the world spin around me as fresh air meets my skin. There is a shuffling thump and he is in the fallen rocks with me.

Lyra, it is a sob now.

Another few rocks are scooped aside, and I feel strangely exposed to natures elements, like I have been clothed in the rocks and now am bare. There is an awful pause again where I feel alone as the rocks continue to scratch and roll off. I feel off course from where I wish to be, but it only takes the presence of his arms holding me to be no longer lost.

Leifde, he breathes.

It is pained and soft, uncertain and fearful. It renders my soul.

I cannot open my eyes but I can feel him slowly bending in around me, his face hovering inches away. He delicately cradles me, careful as though I might crumble to pieces in his arms. And I might, considering that I dont know what I look like after being crushed. His warmth fills me with a nurturing antidote, and slowly I am able to feel more conscious. I gradually recognize my head is lying on his arm, and wiggle my toes to feel that my legs lie limply along the ground. I still cannot open my eyes. I breathe calmly but cannot respond. He gingerly touches my profile, and lightly I feel him lace his fingers in my hair. I continue to breathe and be unable to speak or make any indication of feeling anything he does. His breath trembles out and his fingers brush back down to their support along my back.

Lyra, it is hardly audible but it is there.

I remain silent and barely conscious. He tentatively bows his neck and gently rests his face against mine. As I do not complain, after a moment of silence he softly moves his face closer and further along my outline. He gently draws me into my refuge. He lingers here a while, feeling me for any loss of breath or pulse and occasionally letting his breath out stronger than usual.

I breathe lightly against his neck and feel him above me and his warmth against me, all else seems delusional. Even he seems unclear to my minds adherence. I slowly feel a little better, and laying here my form begins to feel more real about me. I do not stir, but my lashes flutter lightly against his cheek. He slowly draws back and I can feel him watching me. I feel dizzy and my head hurts, but my eyes weakly open. I see only his blurred face and frame, but it still shows him I am going to be alright. He looks feverish and flushed from what I can make out, but gradually he is altered. He dives in and his face is once more against mine. Nade I cant seem to form his name properly. It doesnt matter; he presses his face to the side of mine.

Lyrabeloved Lyra He lets the words tumble out in smooth murmurs against my cheek.

I lose the strength and close my eyes. Gilch His tender skin below the jaw finds my face and I disregard my state of pain and press to him. He exhales along my skin. I feel him relax and pull me closer. I cant take it anymore, and despite the sharp pins and needles I scoop my arms around his neck.

Be gentle with yourself, he whispers softly.

I do not listen and bring him near to me, letting myself feel his closeness. He burrows in and I hang on, not willing to let him go.

LyraIm sorrythis shouldnt have happened to you I feel sick, and have to force it out in a breath. Nadeje, I want you to take me away, it stops him.

He feels firm against me, secure and good. Where? He sounds as though he would do anything.

Just away He is unsettled. I dont know where away is.

I breathe slowly, trying to ignore the throbbing in my head. I want to be with you.

He is light against me. I need you to be treatedwhere are the nearest doctors?

I hear the sounds of thunder and lightning crackle in the sky, sending a flash against my eye lids. I feel him reposition against me, blocking out the rain.

You will catch cold He whispers it in that manner of half to me, half to himself.

I feel my head spin as I tilt it one way and a sharp pain runs through my neck. I gasp at the tremor and he draws back worriedly. I see his eyes flashing in the lightening above again and let the pain drift from my face in order to not worry him. He cups my face with his hand and lightly brings his to mine. Our noses tickle each other and it is difficult not to smile or cry.

I promise to keep you safe now, he whispers.