The warm water dripped down her skin, a sweet summer rain. She loved the feeling she had after a nice bath. It had been only two weeks since the escape, but everyday was eternal heaven on earth. In those days Isabelle had slowly opened up to Alexius, telling her all about what she'd gone through. Every detail lead to horrible nightmares later on, but it was comforting to release them now. Through her tales Alexius had merely puffed on her cigarette, her expression nonchalant. It didn't matter if she didn't care just so long as she listened. Besides, she was spoiling Isabelle rotten. She had collected a variety of bath oils with exotic scents and beautiful silks over the years. Isabelle suspected that they were stolen, but made no objections. If Alexius wasn't imprisoned already, then no one must be missing them.

In those weeks nearly all of her wounds had healed. The once bruised flesh now resembled ivory in every way. Her hair was free of tangles and shone enough to rival sunlight. How diffenrent she looked from when she still lived in the duke's manor. So much so that when she strolled down the roads, Alexius by her side, men attempted to court her. But every one of them was chased away but Alexius. How she loved their time together.

Each crack of the whip broke the air as a stone shatters an ocean wave. Every swipe tore the flesh free, but not one sound escaped her lips. Alexius did not care about her punishment. Her defiant smile never faltered. Isabelle could not bare to watch yet she could not make herself look away. The tears would not fall, her voice could not cry out for mercy, she was utterly helpless to assist her savior. Finally, the duke became cross and tired of her defiance. The executioner dropped the whip and heaved up his largest sword. There were no regrets in Alexius' eyes as the sword fell. But before the blade could even touch the skin, Isabelle awoke from her horrid night terror.

She was shaking terribly. What a vision to have. She looked to her side expecting to see her bed mate sleeping soundly, reeking of her favorite tabacco. Not even her scent lay in that spot. Her heart began to pound once again, fearing that her nightmare was true. Reason soon began to speak, suggesting that maybe Alexius had run out of cigarettes and went to fetch some more. It was certainly plausible. She was almost never seen without a cigarette somewhere on her person. Comforted finally with this thought, she evenually drifted back into sleep.

The morning brought the light but not Alexius. She still was not in the house when Isabelle awoke. Performing her usual morning routine, Isabelle tried to figure out exactly where she had gone. Eventually she decided to take a walk. Along her route, she heard the town crier with a rather large crowd listening in. He spoke of how just last night the Duke had been murdered. The perpetrator had been caught easily and gave little resistance. She now resided in the jails awaiting execution at dusk.

"She?" That would explain it all. Isabelle felt moved that her savior would go to such great lengths to achieve justice. But soon it sunk in: She was going to die that night. Is that why she had such a dream? Before tears could flow she ran to the jailhouse. Maybe she was at the same cell, maybe she could help her this time.

No one occupied the cell. The building towered several floors. There'd be no way to find her. Falling back against the stone wall, she wept freely. She was helpless again. She could do nothing when it mattered most. Alexius was going to die and there was no way to save her. The people paid her no mind as the walked past. She didn't have the will to move from her spot. She merely hoped she would think of something before dusk. But nothing came. When the street held only a handful of people, an odd sound rang out. The sound of flesh smacking stone. Isabelle stood trying to locate its origin. At last she looked up. There was a person clinging to the bars of a cell window. The figure then let go and grabbed the next ledge along the path.

With a final leap from the second story, Alexius was free. Without a care on her face, she looped her arm with Isabelle's and began to walk as though nothing had happened. She was too stunned to react or speak.

Once they were home, Alexius began to grab bags that had been stored in a corner. Finally, Isabelle regained her senses. "How did you escape?" Alexius did not respond. "Why did you go and kill him? Why risk your life for me?" Still no response. When all the bags were outside, Alexius went to fetch a horse and cart. Her stolen goods must have been used to pay for them. Soon the cart was loaded and Isabelle was placed upon the horse side saddle.

Alexius walked up in front of the decrepit building that had served as a home for them. Lighting up another cigarette, she threw the match into the building and soon it was engulfed in flames. Mounting the horse, they rode off and finally she spoke. "I was able to escape because I know that building well, I killed him because he deserved it, and I risked my life because you are worth it." She was caught off guard for those responses. Before she could think of what to say, Alexius spoke up. "Don't worry about what I did. I came to the decision on my own. Besides, I've been looking for a good excuse to leave this pathetic place. I made the plans a few days ago so don't fear. I won't let anyone harm you ever again."

A few stray tears crawled down her cheeks. No words could described how touched she felt. She nestled into her bosom, the tears still falling softly. Her heart seemed to swell. And this emotion she felt, it seemed to be more than simple gratitude. It was...love. She loved Alexius. Isabelle looked up into the stoic face. The cigarette had been used up and flicked away. Leaning upward, she tenderly kissed her. It was soft and delicate like flower petals, Alexius had barely felt it. And she smiled. The first real smile Isabelle had seen. Isabelle nestled herself into Alexius' strong arms and drifted to sleep, dreaming of what her life held for her next.