Dequan pulled Xue along as they stuck to the shadows of the palace. He cautiously kept a look out for any figures that would alert the guards of their escape. "Your Highness, we made it to the first checkpoint. Fu Huan will take over from here. He will take you to Bao Ji who is waiting with the horses. I apologise that I can not take you all the way to the ship but we must not cast suspicion. We must keep you safe and I must return to protect his Highness Bai." Dequan explained.Xue looked fl.u.s.tered, she started to wave her hands vigorously in the air. "You have done enough for me thank you but Dequan... Why did you call me your Highness?" Xue asked. Dequan looked at Xue with confusion. "Your Highness is it not obvious? You are now his Higness"s legal wife. You just enjoyed your union and there may be a chance that a small Highness was conceived." Dequan said as he dropped his gaze to Xue"s abdomen.
Xue"s whole face turned beat red as she covered her abdomen with her arms protectively. "I-if that"s true, I will protect the child with my life." Xue said as bravely as she could but her small stutter only worried Dequan. Suddenly a small man stepped out and bowed to Xue then Dequan. "Highness, vice commander." He said. "Huan take her Highness. Be vigilant, I feel the worst is yet to come." Dequan said as he placed his hand on the small area on Xue"s back and pushed her forward. "Yes." Huan replied.
"Stay safe your Highness." Dequan said before he dashed off. Xue watched as he disappeared then turned to Huan. She kept her arms around her abdomen as she smiled at Huan. "Are you feeling uncomfortable your Highness?" He asked as he held out his hand. Xue shook her head no. "I just want to protect my baby." She answered happily. Huan"s eyes turned wide as he looked down.
"Ahhh! Sorry, I should explain! I don"t know if he or she has been conceived yet but... just in case... I ... hopeful." Xue said bashfully. Huan smiled. He understood her feelings and felt joy that she wanted to bare tiny Highnesses. Huan then scopped Xue up. "Be still." He said. Xue was surprised, Huan was small in stature but he was really strong. Xue was able to hold her abdomen as Huan moved diligently through the other half of the palace.
Xue could see that they were finally reaching the side gate that lead to the stables. "Almost there your Highness. Please hold ugh!" Huan hissed as he fell forward. Huan held onto Xue tightly as they slid forward. The moment the stopped Xue scrambled to look at Huan. A dagger was lodged into his knee. "Huan! Huan are you okay?!" Xue asked as she turned him over to see his face. "Your Highness run. We have been dscovered." Huan said as reached out and pulled out the dagger.
"I can"t leave you behind." Xue cried. "Protect the tiny Highness. Ji is waiting, please run. I will hold off the enemy as long as I can." Huan said as he sowly stood up. His left knee was bleeding profusely. He couldn"t stand perfectly straight but he spun the dagger expertly in his right hand.
Xue hesitated, she couldn"t leave Huan behind. "GO!" Huan shouted. Xue scrambled up and ran towards the gate. She refused to look back but she could hear loud war cries. Tears spilled from her eyes as she apologized to Huan in her heart. She felt cowardly and selfish but she knew she had to keep living.
Xue looked around the moment she got to the stables. "Ji? Ji?" Xue called out. "Ji is not here." A familiar voice called out. Xue turned to the voice, her eyes were wide and trembling in horror. "Princess Momo?" Xue gasped. Some guards walked out from behind the princess, laughing as they appeared. The Captain was holding up the remains of a mangled body. It was covered in blood and there were holes everywhere.
"And here I thought you would have screamed." Princess Momo said with a disappointed look. "Why are you doing this princess? I"m leaving! You wil never have to see me again! Just live your life and let me go." Xue cried as her gaze froze on the b.l.o.o.d.y body. Princess Momo laughed loudly. "Do you realy think I"m so stupid?" She asked as her eyes turned crazed.
"Your Highness what do you want done with this human?" A cloaked money said as he flung Huan"s disfigured body to Xue"s feet. Xue covered her mouth to stop herself from crying out loud. Princess Momo wallked up to Xue with a sweet smile in place, if ignoring the monkey"s question. She reached out and touched Xue"s face. "I always get what I want." Princess Momo said gently but the dark undertone of her voice scared Xue.
Suddenly a sharp pain in her chest caused her to double over. Princess Momo caught Xue and allowed her to rest on her shoulder. Xue started to gasp as she tried to look down at her chest. To her horror princess Momo had stabbed something into her heart. "Shh." Princess Momo said softly. She then pulled away her hand and a small, thin blade came out if Xue"s body.
Xue felt all her strength leave her. Princess Momo then pushed Xue off her shoulder and watched as she landed on the ground. Blood poured out with every beat of Xue"s heart. "Xue I will help you leave this world while my dear husband is justly punished." Princess Momo said as she dangled the blade for Xue to see. Xue started to cry, it was her brooch now dyed in her blood.
"Found it in the outermost garden by the fringe flower bushes. My husband should have cleaned up after he had his fun with you." Princess Momo said as she dropped the brooch. "Take them to the kitchen, we will be serving our guest a wonderful delicacy." Princess Momo said as she turned to her guards.
Xue couldn"t help but close her eyes.
.....
"Davita..." Ariana called out softly as tears spilled from her eyes. "Ariana I left my world peacefully." Davita said as a small smile spread across her face. "How? Did she really feed Bai your flesh?" Ariana asked. "Yes, my flesh was feed to my beloved Bai." Davita said sadly. "Then how can you be at peace?" Ariana asked.