Exton

I see them across the - street? block? what the hell do you call it when the street has become a ballroom? - led by the God of the Hunt, and I hear them named, one after the other. Part of me is bored with the ceremony, but another part feels something… something strangely, hauntingly familiar.

And believe me, I know haunting.

Even before Lady Winter speaks, I know who she is, and when she's finished speaking, I move impetuously forward.

"Hello, Grace," I say quietly, smiling. "I knew I'd be seeing you again, but I have to confess I didn't think it would be quite this soon."

She chuckles, taking my hand. "Well, it will probably be awhile before you see me again, Jack. I plan to make up for all the time I missed because of all the pain. I couldn't live my life, not the way I wanted to. Meeting you all brought me relief, showed me I was not lost in a dream. There is no pain, Jack, none. Now that I'm free of pain and weakness, I plan to live, fully and completely, drain every moment, every new experience to the dregs. And Jack, there's so much I want to learn...!"

She presses a hand to my cheek, a gesture that reassures me that Grace is still in there, peeking through the impetuous woman who stands before me.

"It will be a while before I allow myself to... come back." She smiles sweetly at me. "You'll spare me some of your time... then, won't you?"

"With all my heart," I say feelingly.

Grace smiles - the first time her smile hasn't been touched by pain, at least since I've known her - and wraps her arms around me, tight. "You're a good man, Jack Stone," she says, leaning her face against mine. "Not always leading with your head... but you have a good heart. You have a good life till I see you again. In the meantime, here's something on account."

"On account of what?" It's the last words I speak for awhile, for Grace removes her mask and kisses me, long and deep, with such a mix of tenderness and passion that I drift for a moment, lost in the feel of her mouth on mine, oblivious to the good-humored ribbing of our friends.... When it ends - and I can catch my breath - "OH, yeah! I'll definitely wait around for more of that!" The laughter bounces back from the streets and shops and Grace blushes before the mask hides her features again.