#earthrunes

"Coradel, now that she -has- told you, I'll fill you in. It will take some time, and I can't promise you I know everything but... but I think I can tell you what I do know." His gaze lingers on the door, but then he brings it back to her.

"I know you will. Either because you wish to, or because I will allow you no rest until you do." She follows his glance, then shakes her head. "I do not think she will tell you anything more directly, August. Protecting you. But...I might be able to coax her true thoughts from her, since she has no such urges with me."

"You?" Puzzled.

Bemused. "Can you see Zara wishing to be protective of me? You and Earl, yes. Her family, yes. But me? She is loyal enough to the hold, but to me personally?" She shakes her head. "I think she doesn't think I need her protection."

Another pause. "She might... I guess she might resent you a little. Because of me." Quietly.

A gentle smile. "Yes. And I cannot fault her there. She could not have you because no woman could...and then I did."

He nods uncomfortably.

"So...I will try to find out what she truly wishes in this. But not just now."

He nods. "She's upset. If she's even still here, you wouldn't be able to find her."

"No," she agrees. Then she reaches to touch his cheek. "We will resolve this, August."

His unbound hair whispers against the back of her hand as he nods.

She brushes his hair back, tucks it behind his ear, then leans in to murmur. "We will make it right."

"I'd kill him for her if she'd let me."

"I know you would," she whispers, her fingers tracing the shape of his ear.

He takes a deep breath and exhales, dropping his head for just a moment before looking back up at her. "Ok."

"Okay," she echoes softly, then presses a soft kiss to his lips.

He takes the kiss, and between breaths, he kisses her.

There are no words for a long time...though perhaps later they might even get to that book of poetry he was so eager to find....

((End Scene))