A Kiss in the Night

Nakia stood on the balcony of the palace, her raven strands of hair wisping in the breeze. The night was cool, causing her to chaff her arms, staring over into the town below. As much as she wanted to stay in Romania, she feared that her illness was preventing her. She had been so use to the heat of Egypt that the icy weather of Romania was causing her to become ailing. Yet, she feared to tell Drake of such problems- for she knew it would break his heart.
"Nakia?"
The young woman spun around feebly, gazing up into the ice blue eyes of the count, a weak smile on his face. He stepped out onto the balcony, allowing the breeze to toss his long strands of raven hair, before raising Nakia's chin. He stared into her eyes, blinking uneasily before sighing.
"Tell me what is wrong, my flower?" he whispered, Nakia averting her gaze as she sighed heavily, pulling away and leaning against the balcony rail.
"It is nothing" she closed her eyes, knowing that Drake wouldn't want to hear what it was she truthfully had to say.
"Nakia"Drake stammered, not once moving, but allowing himself to stare at her, "please. I only want the best for you."
Hesitating, the young woman finally sighed once more, parting her lips- never allowing herself to turn around, however."I am ill" Drake was now concerned.
"Aye, my love. I fear that it is your home,Romania, that is doing this to me," she whispered, Drake biting his lip, almost pained by her words. "I am not use to such climate. It is not natural for me."
"Then we must send you home,"Drake blurted out without a moment's hesitation, Nakia spinning around in shock.
"What? Oh, no! please, you mustn't"
"That I must,"Drake murmured, placing a hand on her shoulder tenderly, pulling her in for a tight hug. "The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you."
Nakia blinked meekly, feeling Drake’s fingertips run down the side of her face. He smiled to her sadly, gazing into her eyes before she turned away, heart sinking.
" what about you?"she asked quietly, "you can not come to my home. we will never see each other again"
Drake pursed his lips, watching as tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. Reaching out to her, he took her chin into his hands, causing her to glance over to him once more.
"No. We will see each other. I swear it to you," he replied, smiling down at her as his eyes glistened. "Nothing can keep us apart. Not the cold,nor the heat. When two hearts are meant to be, nothing can stand in their way. Let that be a promise."
Leaning in, Drake wrapped his arms around Nakia securely, kissing her passionately as she allowed her eyes to close. In the morning, she would be forced to return to Egypt- for her own safety- and for the safety of her kingdom; but for now, the lovers were left to conjure up memories that would remain safely in the moonlight.

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