Prologue

I arrive to our cottage as devastating news arrived in the village.

"He what?" Maria asks sitting up from her bed. I Look at her, sitting on the stool beside her bed. "George demandes that all magic be banished from the land. Anyone found helping or using sorcery was to be killed."

I recall the gossips from the drunks that's frequented the tavern I worked at. "Than that means..." I nod. "The people will tell George of me. And if I don't leave they'll kill you too." I grab a hold of my sisters hand, caressing it. "But you can't possibly think of doing that right?"

"Maria." I stand up releasing my hold on her hand. "I can't have you guys die for me. When I leave and the knights come you can tell them that they lied. That that there is no one named Anika. And I promise we'll meet again." I walk to my box that held all my belongings. I didn't have my own room but slept on the floor of the kitchen instead.

I began putting everything in a small bag. "No you will not." I sigh looking back at my sister. "Yes I will." I continue packing but she grabs my arm. "Not without me. I'm going with you!" She exclaims and I sigh once more looking at her. "Maria, you are pregnant! You have a husband and soon a child! If I stay here everyone will be killed because of me! I'm not going to let that happen not again!" She sighs.

"Anika, what happened to mother and father wasn't your fault." I scoff looking down at my bag. "Try telling that to their graves." She presses her lips together. "But I'm not willing to let you die either." I bite my lip thinking of what to do. I sigh throwing the bag to the floor.

"Then I won't go." Her blue eyes shine bright and she wraps her arms around me. "Oh thank you Anika! We'll make sure that nothing happens to you, I promise."

Night came and I lay on the floor staring at the ceiling. At any given moment knights could come barging in taking the life's of the people I loved. The thought scared me.

And I knew there was only one thing to do. I inhale a breath standing up and folding my blankets and pillow. I grab the bag that I had yet to pick up, fixing all the clothing inside. I finish packing and look back at the cottage.

In it was the table we played and drank on, the kitchen I cooked breakfast for them in, the floor I slept on for god knows how long. Then them. The amount of memories I had with Colby and Maria is amazing. And I didn't want to ruin thier chances of them having a daughter to raise. I suck in a breath opening the door taking one last glance at the cottage before leaving shutting the door behind me.