“ Answer me, witch! Why would you abandon my people, your people  alone for all these months?” 

Cileen did not know what to do. She turned and ran into the cave. “ Get back here!” He grabbed her arm. How could he possibly do that If he was wounded? How could any man get up after such a beating? 

Cileen struggled to free herself from his grasp.

“ Let go! Let go of me!” 

“ Not until you answer my question! Why leave when you have the kingdom to protect?” 

“ Because I…Because I’m…”

“ Say it, women!” 

Cileen felt a sharp pain in her chest. Her chest began to hurt as her cheeks turned red and her eyes began to water. The ever-so-familiar feeling of guilt at that moment seemed to have released itself. As if it were finally let out of its cave of solitude. The guilt rose up to her tongue  allowing her to muster: 

“I’m… afraid. The kingdom might rely on me but that doesn't mean I’m worthy. I have no skill, no wisdom, no determination in my heart to continue to be the heir to the thrown. I tried, but I couldn’t handle it….”

Cileen turned her head to face Maliki. He loosened his grip, changing his anger to concern. 

Cileen, with all the strength in her body, said something she never thought she’d have the chance to say in her very life. 

“ Please…forgive me!”