Chapter 168.

Another two days passed and the ceremony for the Guards who had been killed was held yesterday. It was beautiful and honorable but when I saw all the families distraught and heard the loud cries, I nearly fell apart. Today was our turn, Mathilda and I were saying goodbye to our parents. The driver took us to the cemetery, and we walked out onto the green grass. The headstone was in the shape of a halo, and the two would lay beside each other, resting together forever. Darian stopped a few feet away.  "Go, I'll stand here," his fingers trembled when he cupped his hands behind his back and lifted his head. A gentle smile stretched on his lips and he opened his mouth two times before he spoke.  "I'm sorry," he whispered through clenched teeth and his eyes were turning red. I bowed my head, my eyes caught on his shoes when a drop fell from his cheek and landed on the black leather. I walked to the headstone, and as I came up behind Mahtilda, standing in her black dress with black ballet sl