Time began to pass like sand in an hourglass, and Belle knew that sooner or later, she would have to take Rav as well. Rohan accompanied her as she collected ten more souls, and after each one, he took her to places that made her smile again, trying to keep her heart from breaking completely. Most of the time, they went back to the waterfall, touching the stones and letting her bring one back with her every time.
True to his words, the stones worked like magic and soothed her heart.
But nothing could ease the dread and heartbreak that would come with Rav's turn. And not just that, Belle realized something else a month before Rav's time would be due, something that might make everything even harder.
Rohan wasn't always around during the day because he had to keep up appearances at the royal castle with the king, pretending to study war strategies while secretly staying close to learn their plans and find out if they still intended to take her hostage if a war breaks out.
