Let's go last part of this story, hope you enjoy. Apologies for the long delay...

Later that day…

The sky above extended endlessly in deep royal blue sprinkled with countless sparkling diamonds. A dark shadow stood out on a balcony staring at them. They had always given him a feeling of security, a sign of the grand scheme governing all life above and beyond, even his. The orphan he was felt free up there…

The discussion he had had with father had only confirmed his worst fears. He had to act. They were all in great danger, again. The man who had given him a life, a purpose, his brothers, who had accepted and welcomed him with open arms, after testing him thoroughly that is, his best friend who had always been with him, even going as far as to sacrifice his life for him to get to safety. No, that had been in the rewound time! And then … there was the one person that held his heart, that had kept him intrigued right from the very first moment they met, challenging him, keeping him on his toes during their whole now non existing ordeal.

And somewhere along their adventures she had stolen his heart. No wait …! He had willingly given it. Something he had never expected to happen… He didn't believe the old wives tales he had been told as a boy...

A cool breeze swept the city far below and left him shivering slightly. The Morning Star had risen. It was time to leave, but first he had to see her once more, to make sure she was well. One last time…

With one swift movement he hoisted himself up on the railing. Two strides took him to the nearest wall towering high above him. He knew the way to her apartments by heart, even if he never had officially been there. A smile found its way to his lips. How furious she would be if she knew… He could almost imagine her right there in front of him hands on her hips, foot stomping to show him, the barbarian, her wounded feelings. A smirk graced his lips at the image that rose before his inner eye. That day in the desert, when she had pierced his defences and worn out his patience… he had revealed her his more that humble origins and left her speechless, for once…

Effortlessly he overcame the obstacles on his way. Almost instinctively his hands found the small crevices that allowed him to climb higher and higher. They still held some warmth even during the cold night. Using every shadow and every trick he had learned from childhood on, it took him only a short time to reach his goal. He swung himself over the railing and knelt on the floor, briefly holding his breath to listen to the noises from the inside. His movements had been stealthy as always, but one never knew with a certain princess…

Fortunately the intricate wooden blinds hadn't been shut, leaving the long creamy curtains to flow freely in the cool morning breeze. He wouldn't have any problem to get in… No light illuminated the room making his task a little more difficult. He would have to navigate almost on instinct…

He moved swiftly through the billowing silks and dove for the next shadowy space inside. Almost immediately the overwhelming smell of incense tickled his nose. A spicy mix of sandalwood and cinnamon he would always associate with the princess. He briefly closed his eyes inhaling deeply, confining the powerful yet very subtle perfume to his memory.

His eyes having adjusted to the surrounding darkness, the moonlight made it easy to move towards her bed avoiding every potential obstacle on his way. There she was, sleeping peacefully. Her face seemed much younger now and so innocent. Her ebony curls flowed freely on the pillows. His fingers itched, he longed to touch them, to feel them silkily gliding over his hands and through his fingers, but he didn't dare, didn't trust himself, so he simply stood rooted to the spot drinking in her graceful appearance.

"I promise to protect you and your precious dagger with my life," the words had come out almost before he realized. He took his ring, the one his father had given him as proof of his adoption and carefully, not to disturb her set it on her pillow as a token of his vow.

Then, as diligently as he had gotten in, he left her chambers. Soon far below the pounding hooves of a galloping horse could be heard. The Persian guards let the rider pass, immediately recognizing the dark stallion and its royal harness even in the lingering darkness of the early morning light.

Reaching a small hill at some distance, he stopped and turned Aksh to get a final look at the city. The needle of the High Temple glowed in the first rays of the rising sun like a beacon showing the way to a safe haven… Not yet… he thought the pressure of his legs spurring his horse into movement again…

to be continued…