Chapter 17: Escape

~I see you, I do. Please don't push me away. I know it hurts, I'm hurting too, because when you're in pain, I'm also in pain.~ Jesus Christ.

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The next morning, Akhenaten went back to his chambers to see her, but to his surprise...she wasn't there.

His hand twitched—someone was going to die that day.

He questioned his guards he'd placed outside his private chambers to protect her-they were none the wiser.

In one swift movement, Akhenaten slit both their throats.

They both fell dead at his feet.

She was the most important thing to him, they were supposed to protect her, to keep her safe, but she was nowhere to be found.

He closed his eyes and tried to locate her—but he couldn't.

He let out a breath, his heart felt like it was being squeezed and he felt suffocated.

"Aria." He whispered her name hand tightening around his sword, his breath coming out unevenly.

'Where are you?'

•••

*The night before.*