(Sasha's POV)


I could hear my heart pounding within me as the guards, on ethier side of me, escorted me to the queen. A part of me wondered if I was making the right choice. Than images of the villagers shocked and hopeful faces as I appeared that day ready to die rejuvenated me. I am doing this for them. Though as we drew closer to the double door entrance of the throne room I felt my strength begin to evaporate. We reached the door and I was just preparing myself to greet my step mother when the guards stopped. Looking down the hallway the guard to the left of me rapidly scanned the hallways for eavesdroppers before turning to me.

"Run princess. There is still time. The Queen does not yet know you are here. Run while you can." He urgently whispered pushing me lightly away from the door. Glancing over to the other guard I smiled as i saw him purposefully staring anywhere but at me.

"Thank you but I came back of my own free will. I know the moment I walk through those doors I am a dead woman but I am ok with that. As long as my people live to see another day than I will not have died in vain." I calmly stated smiling reassuringly up at him. Both guards, now looking over at me, stood there in shock as I taking a deep breath stepped forward and opened the giant doors myself. All eyes trained on me as I calmly entered the throne room where my stepmother sat on her throne talking with her advisors. She froze midsentence at the sight of me before breaking into a huge wicked grin. My muscles trembled within me at every step I took. It took all my strength not to cower before the woman who was about to end my life, but I wasn't about to give her that satisfaction. If I was going to die for my people I was going to die as the princess who gave her people hope in her final a few feet from away I gazed up at her waiting for her to speak.

"Sasha. Always the predictable one aren't we." She laughed rising from her chair and closing the distance between us. Stopping in front of me she reached out a long black nail, and placing it under my trembling chin she raised my head up to meet her icy gaze. I forced back a whimper as her complete hatred for me seeped from every pore.

"I knew if I threatened your beloved people you would come running. It's a weakness of yours. Well no matter. You won't be alive long to dwell on it. Guards prepare the execution platform, and make sure every villager is there. I want everyone to see their princess die." She snapped sweeping past me and exiting the room. A tear slid silently down my face as the guards grabbing my arms steered me to my doom.

"I'm sorry princess." One of the guards began as they led me toward the double door entrance later that day. After speaking with my step mom for the first time in a while the guards had taken me to the dungeon while they prepared everything for my execution that after noon. They had been kind enough to give me a quill and paper to write one final note to Roger, which they promised to deliver. Turning my head to him I smiled reassuringly to let him know I am ok. Facing foreward again I take a deep breath to calm my growing nerves as we stop outside the door. The guards gripping the handles swing it open as I nervously walk through. I gulp in sudden dread as I walk foreward where a large pile of wood sits surrounding a large pillar. The guards leading me forward help me onto the pile before swiftly tying my arms around the pillar. I can see the Queen standing a short distance away smirking at me as she approached the pile, torch in hand. I knew this was it for me. So taking another calming breath I gazed out across the sea of faces watching me. I knew I only had a few seconds before the pile was set on fire so I had to make it count.

"Everyone please listen to me." I shouted into the crowd making eye contact with as many people as I could.

"Today the Queen may have won against me. But she doesn't have to win against you. You hold your lives in your hands now. The queen can't fight all of you. Please don't let anymore blood be spilled. Fight. Take back what's ours. I'm sorry I couldn't do more to protect you. I love all of you. Goodbye." That last sentence I directed toward Roger who had just appeared in the crowd fighting to get to me as the queen lit the wood on fire.

"SASHA!" he screamed pushing past villager, after villager as he desperately tried to get to me before the flames reached me. I smiled sadly at him knowing he wouldn't make it in time.

"Goodbye my love." I whispered closing my eyes just as the flames reached me. I waited for the pain but it never came. Instead I felt something cold and wet hit me followed by angry screams from the queen. Opening my eyes I gasp in shock seeing the villagers dumping bucket after bucket of water on the fire, as the other villagers formed a circle around me blocking me from view of the furious queen. I watched in wonder as the Queen was pushed back time and time again by the surrounding villagers as she attempted to relight the fire.

"We won't let you harm our princess." One of the villagers shouted throwing a bucket of water at her. Dowsing the flames of the torch.

"Yeah. She was willing to die for us. So we will not let the likes of you near her." Another villager agreed folding his arms and glaring at the Queen.

"Move out of the way you insolent rats. Or I will have you all burned at the stake." She screamed trying in vain to push past the villagers. Instead of listening the people wound their arms together and moved closer together tightening the protective circle around me. I could feel tears stinging my eyes as I saw my beloved people fighting to protect me when only just yesterday they were ready to throw me to the crocodiles.

"Guards arrest every single one of these people. They all will die for their disobedience. " she shouted looking over to the men in silver armour. None of them moved.

"Well! Don't just stand there I gave you an order." The guards glanced over at each other sharing a silent conversation before looking back at the queen. One by one every guard began throwing their swords, and other weapons, at her feet and walking over to join the villagers protective circle until it was just the queen against everyone.

"How dare you disobey me. I am your queen." She spat trembling with rage.

"Not anymore your not. Your reign of terror is at an end." A voice shouted in the crowd.

"Who dares say such things." The queen whipped around to see who had spoken. She froze when she saw who it was. Frankly I was surprised to. For striding out of the crowd a scowl on her face was non other than Angel Roger's mom.

"You!" She sputtered flabbergasted. Confused at the queens reaction I glanced over to angel only to see she wasn't surprised at all.

"So you do remember me. I was afraid after you had become queen you had forgotten me Saphire." By this point everyone had fallen silent watching the exchange with bated breath. Roger who had finally reached me after forcing his way through the crowd began to untie my now bruised and sore arms.

"Angel. I thought you seemed fimilar when I saw you talking to my step daughter, but I never would have guessed it was you. I thought you were dead." She whispered looking at her feet.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I am very much alive."

"But I don't understand I searched everywhere for you. I sent out so many guards throughout the land searching for you after you disappeared that day the king died. My guards all told me the same thing that you had died of the plague." I was shocked at the emotion building in the queens voice as she stared up at angel tears in her eyes.

"That's because I wanted you to believe that. Those guards did indeed find me but I begged them to lie and say I had died."

"But why Angel. You were my best friend. You were like a sister to me. I was devestated after I heard you had died." Angel's expression softened slightly before hardening back into an unreadable mask.

"At one time we were sisters Sapphire but than you betrayed me. You knew I was in love with Robert yet you took him anyway. He was mine Sapphire, but I forgave you because I loved you like a sister, and shortly after that I met Blade and had my a son and daughter.I had moved on from Robert and had nearly forgotten all about it untilthe king announced he was looking for a new bride after the queen's death. thanI saw the gleam in your eye at that announcement and I knew. I knew you were going to ditch Robert in hopes of marrying the king, but I never would have guessed you would poison him. That's right I knew. Robert suddenly falling ill and dying right after the kings announcement. No way was it just the flu like you led everyone to believe, but I had no proof so I kept quiet. Yet than the king was mysteriously poisioned. I knew it was you the moment I heard the news, but again I could not prove it so not wanting to be known as the woman who was friends with a monster I led everyone to beleive I was dead and moved my family into the middle of the forest away from everyone. I thought I could distance myself from anything to do with the crown but than my daughter was kiled in a failed assasination attempt on the princess. I was furious even worse I still couldn't escape as you had decided to kill your own step children and my son decided to bring her to my house to hide. I guess even I can't break destiny. Our lives are forever going to be connected I guess." I stared at Angel stunned by what she had just revealed. Her and my step mom used to be friends? I was speechless and by the look of Rogers face so was he. I guess he was just as clueless about this as I was.

"Angel I..." The Queen began only to be cut off by Angel.

"Don't Sapphire I have already forgiven you but I can't be your friend again. You burned that bridge the day you killed Robert. I may not be able to bring back all the people you killed but I can at least make sure no one else has to suffer. Sapphire give up the throne to Sasha. You are unfit to rule the kingdom, and I can safely say that everyone here agrees with me. I still don't like Sasha very much as she is the reason I don't have my daughter right now but I do beleive she will be a much better queen than even her mother was." I stared in wonder at Angel. This was the first time I have ever heard her say anything nice about me. I was snapped out of my wonder at the queens sneer.

"I will never give it up. I am the queen. No one epssecially not that brat will take my crown from me." She sneered backing up clutching her crown in a death lock.

"It's over Sapphire. You are not leaving unless you give up the throne." The villagers leaving the protective circle began to surround the queen pressing in on her as she attempted to flee. The queen seeing she was trapped scowled before throwing the crown on the ground.

"FINE! TAKE THE STUPID THRONE i DIDN'T WANT IT ANYWAY!" She spat relenting and pushing past the villagers, before racing away into the depths of the forest." Leaning against Roger I watched silently as she disappeared from view. What a crazy day.

"Sasha." Roger said looking down at me. Glancing up I sigh as I see the look in his eyes.

"Roger I know what you are going to say, but I couldn't just sit there and watch my people die. They rely on me. I will not stand by and watch my people suffer for..." Roger stopped me midsentence with a kiss. Pulling away he stared into my eyes tears falling gently down his face.

"Don't ever scare me like that again Sasha. I nearly died myself watching those flames nearing you. Promise me next time you do something crazy like this you will take me with you." I smiled up at him as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I promise. I will never leave you again." With that I leaned in and pressing my lips against his I sealed my promise with a kiss.

The End