Dust in the wind:

Alessios snorted in exasperation.
—You're on the verge of death and instead of rushing to flee, you stop to think about others…tell me, are you even human?
—I know it's stupid of me, but I won't. I cannot leave knowing that I will condemn innocent people to die in my place.
My lover gave me a reproachful look.
—You can force me onto the horse or even tie me to the camel, but I swear by the True and Righteous that I will return!"I can't let Cassandra get away with this.
—What do you mean?- he asked in alarm.
I walked over to him, whispering just to the two of us.
—The poison that dried up yhe garden of the previous empress was poured into the pavilion's main fountain by Cassandra. I caught her doing it a couple of nights ago.
—Why didn't you seek me out or tell Cítiê so she could let the emperor know?
—Because no one would believe me. It's my word against hers.
My explanations seemed to make him reason.
—Now, do you understand? My life is not the only one in danger. Cassandra's goal is to get rid of all the women in the pavilion.
I lied. I knew perfectly well that Cassandra's objective was not to kill them... at least not using that poison, but if exaggerating things enough allowed me to return to the Palace, it was worth that lie.
However, that affected even the Emperor, I thought, but I don't know I revealed it to Alessios because, Sarab was right, what I had discovered was the kind of secrets that cost one's life.
—Reconsider.- he murmured.-if you leave you will get the freedom you have longed for, you might even be reunited with your father.
—If I go, I won't have peace. I will live the rest of my days always looking over my shoulder, always running, fearing that The Merciless will discover my whereabouts and send his army after me.
—He will not.
—You can't be sure of that. Besides, what will become of you if it is discovered that you helped me escape? - I whispered, holding on to his hand.
—I'll manage.
—No . When I arrived at this place I proposed in my heart to die rather than renounce my faith and I remain firm in that purpose.
—Umara…
—I have made my decision, Alessios. Don't make me waver, help me to be remain brave.
*********
The return to the pavilion was awkward. My beloved remained silent and distant throughout the journey. I tried to convince him that I had taken the right path but he refused to even talk to me.
He walked me to my room and was about to leave but I held on tightly to his hand.
—Stay with me. There is still a long way to go before dawn.- I begged, desperate to hold on to the few hours of possible happiness that remained in my existence.
Alessios approached me, caressing my face between his soft palms, he slowly sat down next to me on the mattress and kept me hugged against his chest while I cried uncontrollably. He stroked my hair and kissed my lips sweetly, begging me to change my mind and agree to escape.
—I'm not afraid of death.-I whispered against his muscular chest.-I'm more afraid of not meeting you in my next life.
— Kuranies dont believe in the cycle of return.- he murmured as he kissed my forehead. -But if it is real, if after this life there is another, I ask Cimbel, the great mother, to direct our paths so that they cross again.
—In a few days I will be nothing more than dust in the wind but believe me when I tell you, you are the only one I have given my heart to.
—You are the only one to whom my soul has become attached, little flower.
My heart gave a fierce lurch.
It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair at all that at the moment that death knocked on my door so did love.
***
I woke up exhausted after emptying all the suffering of my soul into the arms of the man I loved and whom I would never see again. The sun had already passed the horizon when a pair of armed guards burst into the pavilion with the intention to arrest me. The remaining women of the harem protested and even physically opposed between me and my captors, but I did not let the situation escalate by quickly explaining to them what was happening.
Sarah turned red with anger, Zai was shocked speechless, and Mem tried to comfort a Burya who couldn't seem to stop crying.
Keeping my head held high, I offered my wrists to the officers who, taking me prisoner, shoved me out of the Pavilion.
In silence I was taken to the main courtyard, where the emperor, Cassandra, Cítiê, the general of the golden army Emir and the prime minister, Cassio, were gathered under a golden pagoda. A large number of Kurany nobles swarmed through the wide courtyard, which ceased their multiple whispers as soon as my captors forced me to stop right in front of the Merciless and his Council.
—Let it be known, that at dawn of this day, our Emperor punishes a heretic, discovered under his very roof.
Cassio's booming voice reverberated throughout the courtyard. As he pulled out a long scroll and proceeded to read the charges I was being accused of. The most prominent were contempt of authority, treason, knowing and malicious heresy, witchcraft, and defamation.
As he spoke each word loud and clear, making each charge sound worse than the last, I studied the body language of the three judges sitting across from me.
Cítiê didn't look up from her lap, keeping all her interest fixed on the fingers of her hands, Cassandra looked directly at me, smiling broadly and denoting all the evil she was capable of.
The man sitting between them remained rigid, his face and his whole body seemed carved in stone, however his gaze did not fall on me, but on the dark hole that opened a few meters behind me.
—How does the accused plead?-Cassio intoned loudly.
I knew that the question was a simple formality, a small act of apparent opportunity to defend myself, but it was all a charade, a mockery and a vile lie, if I pleaded not guilty that would only delay the inevitable a couple of hours tops, while Cassandra paraded one by one all the maidens of her retinue to testify against me, again.
I was tired. Tired of all these people and their falsehood. Disgusted by Cassandra and her apparent kindness as she committed the most heinous misdeeds with a wide grin. I only regretted being forced to abandon my gardener and the pavilion girls.
—I plead guilty!- I exclaimed firmly so that everyone present was able to hear me.-I declared that the emperor is a tyrant and that his first wife is a murderous snake. She will devour YOU all and lead this kingdom to doom!
A great scandal arose among those present at my words, the Kurani nobles began to cry out for my death, the soldiers stationed around me had to put up resistance to prevent the angry mob from dismembering me.
The two soldiers who had led me into the Emperor's presence took hold of my elbows again and began to drag me toward the DEN.
—The Empire is strong!-Cassio roared.-Behold, oh nobles and Kuraní people, how our Emperor punishes heretics!
The prime minister's screams were the last thing I heard, before I was greeted by the deepest, coldest of darkness.