The picture was of a cobble stone street, with a church on the side.

It had been nearly two weeks since Tristan had been forced to witness the gruesome death of the girl that he loved so dearly. I knew that it was my doing; it was my fault that she was dead. I, in away was the one to light the flame that stole her life. It was because I was in love with him, and I had known him first. I had watched the way that he ran a hair through his hair when he was excited or nervous. I had admired his silk brown waves. They were beautiful; he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. I felt guilty when I saw her in court; she had been in the prison for a long time.

Elizabeth Burgess was what one would call an ethereal beauty. She had wild auburn curls that hung down the length of her back. You would think that she was a fairy, she was so tiny and fragile looking. Her skin was so pale; it was as pure as freshly fallen snow. I only looked into her eyes once and it was the day that I had accused her of being a witch. That was the day that I had ripped her life from under her very feet. It was also the day that I had truly felt my heart break. The reason being that it was the first time I had witnessed Tristan show such tenderness to anyone.

I remembered his deep brown eyes staring at me before I had even realized what happened; before I had even realized what it was that I said. I couldn’t let her take him from me, not when I had loved him for so much longer and so much more. When I saw his lips reach hers it felt as if all the blood in my veins would evaporate. I could not articulate the pain I was feeling, so I made up a lie. I decided that he would be mine. The two weeks since her execution have been dragging on and I feel like they will never be done. I watch Tristan and all his does is sit in silence and just as still as a ghost.

My friend happens to be a maid in his household; her name is Sarah Glesh. She told me about how he only eats in the morning and that whenever he is at peace, that his eyes have no life in them. They are as dark and blank as mud.

"It is at night that we hear him the most. Tristan has nightmares so terrible that he screams so loud and shrill he wakes the neighbors." she told me, her eyes held pity for him. That was afeeling that I felt that he wouldn't appreciate.

"That's horrible, but in time his sorrow will leave him" I said to her.

"How do you feel about his situation?" she asked me with her eyes hard. I could tell that she blamed me for this. She didn't understand that I had to do what I did; I had to protect Tristan from that evil woman. She had after all enchanted him. I could feel my tongue run across my bottom lip as I thought of something to say.

"I will heal him, he only needs to get closer to god." I told her. She looked into my eyes and smiled. This wasn't the kind of smile that made you feel comfortable either, it was the kind that makes you want to go home and hide.

"I have to go now, Ms. Winston. I have to make dinner." Sarah said to me, I could see her blackc hair coming out of the confines of her bun. she walked away leaving me there with a disappointed feeling. I don't know why I felt this way; I had everything that I told myself I ever wanted. Tristan was going to be my husband in less than two months and I would have position and respect in the town. It was what I deserved; I had helped the town get rid of a witch. The only thing that I didn't have was Tristan's council; he never spoke to me anymore or anyone for that matter. I didn't expect him to after what I had caused. Tristan only spok to bretton. I found myself walking to the Blackwell residence with out reason. I knocked on the door and there stood Sarah, with a somewhat haughty smile on her face.

"What do you need, Ms. Winston?" she asked politely.

"I need to speak with Tristan." I said, looking at her. Perhaps it wasn't as I had thought; maybe we were only acquaintances and not friends.

"Young, Mr. Blackwell is with a guest at the moment." she informed me.

"It matters not, I will wait for him." I told her, she moved out of the doorway to allow me entry. I could feel her eyes on my back as she watched me from teh kitchen. If I listened closely enough I could hear Tristan's deep voice, which was no longer the deep velvet that I had known. It sounded scratchy and broken. I listened and I could hear him speaking of his nightmares and his heartbreak. I could hear Bretton comforting him, trying to make him see some light in the world. I knew thatI had taken away his excitement and reason for life. I had ruined the man that I was in love with, all so I could have him for my own. My selfishness had destroyed the person he used to be, the preson that I had fallen in love with.

"Bretton, all I long to do is die. there is no reason for me to stay here with out her." I heard him say. It made my breath hitch in my throat.

"Come now, you only knew her for a year. Ther