This is the last night you'll spend alone

(OOC: This is from a story that Cali and I have created on our own, this is a bit of backstory for one of my characters. The story- what has been written, can be read here- http://z10.invisionfree.com/Tea_and_Sympathy/index.php?showtopic=198&st=0&#last ))

"Audra, they're coming." Countess Audra du Chatelaine looked up from her map to watch her husband. Cyrus was pacing, worry etched into his countenance. He wasn't born to be cooped up in a castle, he wasn't born to be a Count- though he'd temporarily accepted such a role out of love for his wife. The man was a Walker, born to be the human link between nature and people, born to walk the wilds. Fighting, while a trait he possessed, was not his greatest strength, and Audra feared what was about to occur.

"How many, Cyrus?" Cyrus let his blue eyes rest on her for a moment, admiring the way her red hair picked up golden tints in the light, and the way that her green eyes were fierce despite the weariness that was reflected in them. In two strides he was beside her, his hand running down her curls. He didn't know how to answer Audra- the forces belonged to a rival king, and that was bad enough. That the king was supersitious and wanted to destroy all Walkers was even worse. While it wasn't common knowledge that Cyrus was a Walker, it wasn't a great secret either. He didn't want to tell his wife that he didn't believe he'd survive the encounter.

Ashariel, Cyrus' Great Dane and companion was resting his head on Audra's knee. He knew what Cyrus couldn't tell his wife, and he communicated that Cyrus needn't tell her something so painful. Cyrus agreed.
"There's enough to destroy everything, Audra."

His large, calloused and stained hands raised her from the chair, and he held Audra against himself, smelling her distinctive smell, and enjoying the sensation of her body against his. Cyrus loved his wife, and there was nothing that he wouldn't give for her. He and Ashariel could leave tonight, and no one would be able to find the pair. They could even take Audra with them- but she would never leave her people. Cyrus would never leave his wife. Pressing a soft kiss to her hair, he silenced her fearful words.
"It's late- they won't attack tonight, by all accounts they like to be surrendered to. We need sleep tonight."

To be fair, Cyrus knew that he wouldn't be doing much sleeping on his last night with his wife. He wanted to hold her, and love her, and watch her sleep in his arms. No, he wouldn't sleep, but he knew that Audra would never go to bed unless he made her.

---

The next morning brought the hardest moment of Cyrus' life. He held Audra in his arms, letting her cry herself out. His wife was not a warrior by nature, though she had become one of late. Fear was something that she didn't feel the need to supress, and he had spent a good deal of time teaching her to do so. She needed to be brave on this day, while she defended the castle within and he without.

After comforting Audra as long as he dared, Cyrus lifted her chin, kissing her sweetly and passionately, like lovers who had all the time in the world. Cyrus knew that he didn't have all the time in the world, however, and he pulled away slowly. He whispered words of love and comfort, kissed her forehead, and was gone.

In the long and bloody hours that followed, both Audra and Cyrus killed many foes. Audra was a talented knife fighter, and she was fast. Hand-to-hand combat suited her, and she did well. Cyrus, leading the guard, did almost as well. But there were too many of the foreign invaders, and in the end, the county fell.

Cyrus and Ashariel were captured together. Fearing the death of his wife, Cyrus went quietly, admitting to the status of a Walker, and no longer worrying about the consequences. He remained calm, until two soldiers dragged Audra in, holding her painfully. Cyrus snarled, lunging at the men who held his wife. His own captors held him back, and the two rulers were brought before the king. The man mocked the pair, and first addressed Cyrus.
"You are a Walker?"
"Yes."
"You do realize, Count that I should kill you on the spot for practicing such witchcraft?"
"It isn't witchcraft, you-" Audra's voice was cut off by a vicious slap, and she fell silent.
"I do realize this."

The king approached Cyrus, inspecting him.
"Should you chose to offer me compensation, I could spare your life; give you work for me. What would you give me for your life, Walker."
Cyrus gave this some thought, before slowly answering.
"All that I own."

The king nodded, accepting this information, moving towards Audra. His hand ran possesively down Audra's hair. The young Countess glared at him, while her husband looked furious enough to kill him on the spot.
"And your lovely wife? If I could spare her?"
"Anything, even my own life."
Audra wanted to protest, to explain to Cyrus that he needn't say such a thing; that life without him was not worth living. The expression in his beautiful eyes prevented her from speaking. The king was impressed by this answer, and the fact that no hesitation had occured.
"Your life, Cyrus, or hers. Choose."
"Her life."

The king waved his hand, and one of his soldiers stepped forward, running the man through the chest. The two guards that held Cyrus dropped him, and the two holding Audra let her go. Audra rushed to her husband's side, ignoring the soft thud as Ashariel fell to the ground dead. Audra held Cyrus, trying to save him. Cyrus smiled at her, his typical charm glinting in his eyes.
"I saw those attractive men holding you, Audra."
His bride shook her head, sniffling.
"I only had eyes for the man who would lay down his life for me, Cyrus." She replied softly.

Another smile stole over his lips, smeared bright red with his own blood.
"I only have one request, one favor..."
"Name it, love."

Cyrus lifted a heavy hand, touching her cheek.
"I want to die with the taste of you on my lips."
Tears in her eyes, Audra leaned over, kissing her husband until she felt him die in her arms. Sobbing, she hid her face in his chest and wept. Grief struck her, hard. Audra didn't know what to do without Cyrus, her only love.