Exton

Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning. Steady, Erik. She's young and inexperienced and she may not know what she's saying. Go slow.

I don't listen. I take two steps forward, go to one knee and open my arms. She takes the two steps necessary to meet me, steps within the circle of my arms and presses her face to mine.

I hold her then, close and tight, feeling the sweetness of her breath on my cheek…. I wait till I catch my breath and my pulse is back to something approaching normal, then: "No, I'm not mad at you, sweetheart. Gods, I don't think I could be mad at you.

I love you, too… I think I've loved you since before you spoke, and I love you more every day. Gods, Star, I can't imagine my life without you in it. I don't want to imagine my life without you in it. I want you with me always, love.

I just wish… I'm a warrior, not a poet. I wish there was some way to tell you how I feel."

She makes a sound somewhere between a sigh and a moan… she presses tight against me and her arms encircle my neck. I hold her close, barely daring to breathe, afraid this is all a wonderful dream. We remain like that, not talking, for some time… I'm not sure how long, but not long enough.

Never long enough.