She kissed him back, her shoulders relaxing. *** He turned to his father furiously. "You didn't say you would shoot her!"
His arms hesitantly slipped around her waist as he pulled her to him, deepening the kiss. * * * He looked down at Ezekiel. "I told you that she would be arrested after you spoke. She ran, the guards disabled her. The end result is the same; she's stolen money from a lot of people. She would have been hanged for her crimes."
She rested her hands on the sides of his neck as she kissed him back, her touch gentle. *** "But what if she's still alive? That's inhumane!"
He flushed at this, pulling away slightly. "I missed you so much..." * * * His father jerked his head towards Ezekiel and frowned. "You've clearly learned nothing from this. They're not humans, Ezekiel. They're Gypsies. They don't deserve your pity."
He observed him gently. "I missed you too." *** "They're people!" he shouted angrily. "They're people too!"
“I really thought you were dead,” he said, brushing her hair back. *** “They’re leeches!” His voice rose as he regarded his son. “They steal and murder and get by on the dregs of society. You fell in love with one who doesn’t care about anything. She doesn’t love you, Ezekiel! Use your head!”
She leaned into his touch. "I'm okay." *** "They have to live like that!" he said angrily. "You aren't giving them the opportunity to do any better!"
"You're here," he said slowly. "I was scared that I would never get to kiss you." * * * "What's stopping them from joining society, Ezekiel? This girl, what's to stop her from becoming a merchant? A florist? She could benefit from what society offers and she chooses not to and then complains about it."
He hesitated, brushing her hair back. "I realized how much I liked you a little bit before you left. And I regretted that I hadn't said anything." * * * "We do," he replied. "They have every opportunity to join society and they refuse. They're a menace, Ezekiel, one that needs to be eliminated."
She smiled slightly, leaning forward and kissing him temple. "I'm back now." *** He huffed, watching him fiercely. "That's a disgusting way of thinking."
He leaned against her, cupping her jaw. "I'm so glad." * * * "You're naive," he replied sharply. "You'll understand eventually."
She smiled, resting against him. "Is it cold outside?" *** He turned away. "..I want to be alone right now."
"Very," he said, glancing at the window. "It's going to snow this year." * * * He sighed and headed to the door just as the guard who shot Clara opened it. "Sir, she's..." His eyes landed on Ezekiel and he cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should talk outside."
She stood up with a yawn. "I can tell. I should start a fire." *** Ezekiel froze before turning towards them. "No, I want to hear."
"Are you cold?" he asked, standing up uncertainly. * * * The guard hesitated before looking back up at the King. "She's dead, sire."
She looked up at him curiously. "A little bit. I'll be alright." *** Ezekiel quieted, watching them silently and looking stricken.
"I can light the fire," he said, sounding worried. "I don't mind." * * * His father frowned before sighing. "Dispose of the body. I'll be down in a moment."
She looked back at him with a small grin as she set two logs in the fireplace. "Don't worry too much. I can do it too." *** He didn't say anything, his eyes wide.
"But you're injured," he said, hovering around her. "You've been in combat. Let me..." * * * His father looked over at him. "Ezekiel..."
