CHAPTER 3

Tension filled the air as the other guards climbed down from their horses.

" Ms. Camila, the King said you should not leave this City with Aurora. It is not safe".

" And who is going to stop me?", Camila asked.

"This is a direct order from the King." 

"Go tell my brother that I refuse", Camila said, stomping her feet.

"You are the Princess, we cannot let you go put yourself in harm's way.

"Well, here is your Queen. Do you not care about her?"

"Camila, I think you should listen to them. I will not forgive myself if anything happens to you".

" No, I have made up my mind and if these bunch of idiots have a problem with that, I will make sure I have their heads on a plate first thing tomorrow morning", Camila said, urging Aurora to move.

The king's guards watched them disappear into the forest.

" Thank you for being here Camy. I do not regret looking after you all these years".

" You are welcome ", Camila said, parting with the leaves on the way.

"I never understood why you never stayed with us at the Fort."

"My brother was too overprotective. I have very big dreams, and I refuse to be limited by him."

" I think he was just trying to protect you", Aurora said.

"And control me", Camila added.

The forest was calm, the sun was setting over the mountain and the clouds began to gather.

"Quick, we must get to that cave before dark", Camila said, pointing to the north.

"But we are supposed to head East",

"Trust me on this one, this is why I am here, to protect you".

"Okay", Aurora said as she followed her reluctantly.

They reached a dark cave surrounded by thick trees and wildflowers.

"Wait here. Let me confirm that it is safe."

Camila went in and after five minutes, she came back out. Aurora followed her closely behind and entered the cave.

"Arrrghhhhh", Aurora screamed.

"What is that"? Camila queried.

"I think something bit me"

"Are you sure?" Camila was now panicking.

"Yes Camy"

"Oh my God, there is a bite mark on your leg".

"Oh no!, No...No..No"

"What?"

"I know that bite mark. It is hard to miss", Aurora yelled.

Camila, now pacing back and forth, replied.

"What is it?"

" I have seen it in ancient books. It is a scorpion."

"A scorpion?",

"Not just any scorpion, Camy."

"They call it the Purple Vampire "

"Is it deadly?"

"Of course it is deadly, it sucks your blood and infects you with a deadly poison which turns your body purple as it spreads.

"Oh my God it is spreading already."

"Deep breaths Aurora, deep breaths"

"I can't take deep breaths, I can barely breathe"

"This cannot be happening. "

"I have just 12 hours before it spreads to my heart and I will die"

"Okay, what do we do?"

" We have to go now. If we can find this hidden city, maybe they can help."

"Everywhere is dark. I don't think that is a safe option. "

"It is the only option if you want me to live ", Aurora said.

"Okay, but this is a bad idea. "

Aurora and Camila left the cave and went back into the forest. They journeyed for six hours and stopped.

"I can't, I can't continue", Aurora cried out.

"Damn", Camila said.

"The poison, the poison has spread to all parts of my leg. I can barely walk".

"We have come this far, Aurora, you cannot give up now."

" I tried my best. I guess I was never good enough from the start. "

"Nonsense, you are perfect just the way you are. "

" I love you, Camila, promise me you won't forget me."

"No, you should be alive to tell me this."

"You tried your best. "

"Get on my back ", Camila said, squatting.

"You've been through enough for my sake. Why do you keep sacrificing for me?"

"Just do what I say", Camila said.

"Okay", Aurora replied reluctantly, climbing on Camila's back.

"Hang on tight", Camila replied, wrapping her hands around her.

"Do not sleep off, stay awake", Camila added.

"I will try "

"Listen to my voice. Do not stop listening "

Tears rolled down Aurora's eyes and fell on her cheeks, the poison spreading was not her only problem, she endured the pain silently, she felt like her whole world had crumbled, and she questioned her existence.

"Aurora? Aurora, are you there?"

Aurora was becoming too weak to answer.

"Do not die, I forbid you."

"Camy, promise me you will take care of Alan for me."

"No Aurora, No

"Let me tell you a story" Camila added.

"A story?", Aurora muttered.

"Yes a story, I met this guy back in the city, and uhm... I wouldn't want to mention his name but we fell in love. It wasn't the usual kind of love. I knew my brother was never going to approve of it.

"Why"? Aurora muttered again.

"He is way older, plus he has a personal relationship with my brother.

"Meaning he is someone I know", Aurora replied with a smile.

"Yes it is someone you know, we are happy together, our love would never have bloomed at the Fort.

" You sacrificed your royalty for this person, you do love him", Aurora said, coughing aggressively. 

"For his sake, I could burn the whole world for him, he is worth it".

"You sound like you need to have water, it will help with the cough, Camila said.

"Yes", Aurora said, sighting the running water flowing onto a cliff.

"Be careful", Camila added, assisting her to reach out for the water.

Aurora had started drinking water when she noticed a large centipede climbing into her hands. She shook with fear and lost her balance, almost falling off the cliff, but Camila grabbed her hands just in time.

"Please do not let go", Aurora pleaded weakly.

"I won't, count three and I will pull you up.

"Okay"

"One... two...three, pull yourself towards me"

"I am trying Camy"

"Try harder, my fingers are slipping.

Camila was slowly losing grip of Aurora, who was going to fall from the cliff.