Chapter 12: Golden dance

Tears streamed down her face as she looked around, seeing Gabriella’s face everywhere she looked. The world began to spin, she knew this was the end for her. She reached out catching a hand in hers.

It was splintered and rough, she looked up, at George. “Do it then, finish me!” Elizabeth cried, tears streaming down her face as she surrendered.

“I just wanted to be loved, to be proud of how hard I am. But all I want now is my sister. But its too late.” George whimpered,” I tried too hard for love, I wanted you to be proud of me, to be proud of your only family. Something in that moment, that you spared me, it made me question everything.”

George gave her his hand, “Shall we dance?”

Elizabeth smiled and nodded as George took her hand and twirled her into his arms.

They fell in step, letting the rhythm control their movements. All the scenery around them seemed to dissolve.

Her emerald eyes glistened, and a smile spread across her beautiful face.

George’s hand brushed across her cheek.

Elizabeth’s silk brown locks fell over her eyes, like a curtain blocking out the sunlight.

She began to withdraw her hand to brush away her hair, but George’s hand clutched onto her’s. He carefully laid her thin hand on her shoulder. George delicately tucked her lock behind her ear, and Eizabeth’s emerald eyes twinkled back at him in greeting.

This shared moment made Elizabeth’s heart break. “I missed my brother,” Elizabeth whispered.

Their footsteps echoed in Elizabeth’s head, a comforting beat.

Golden rays flooded the room as they danced, the chandelier glinting in the dazzling light. Elizabeth closed her eyes and swayed with her brother's rhythm. The wind blew and falling leaves rattled, the quiet was like a whispered song, sad but peaceful.

They embraced, tears dripping down their faces. George picked up Elizabeth and lay her on a small bench next to the bank, and George kneeled over her body. “I will never again turn away from the truth, I promise to never steal or trade artifacts again,” George cried.

Seeing Elizabeth's eyes start closing, George kissed her on the cheek,” I love you. I will miss you so much, you know. I finally had a chance to be with my sister, a moment so beautiful that it broke my heart.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes as George sat hunched over her lifeless body wiping a tear from his eye.

“Please come back! I miss you,” George cried. A white butterfly flew to him and hovered above his head, and he held his hand out. The butterfly landed on his hand, turning a peaceful emerald green, he lifted his hand and the butterfly flew out of sight. George knew that sometime, somewhere, the hole in his heart could be mended.

And so, as we leave the Shadows of deception, i bid you adue. For the lesson that we learn must be one of love and not one of power.