“…then I will return to you.” she supplied.

He smiled at her with apologetic eyes. “It’ll be fine.” he promised. “I’m sure of it.”

She smiled and fell into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He didn’t want to leave her, to let her go, but he knew that their time was short.

“Your friends must be worried for you. They may come to look for you, to make sure that you are well.” he whispered.

She sighed. “Yes.” she replied, holding him just a little tighter than she had before.

“I should return home, as well.” he said, quietly. “I will wait as long as I can to tell them that I’ve found you. Hopefully by then, I’ll have found the right words to convey the situation. But, if I have not, I will speak to Alder, he will know what to do.” he said, feeling her nod against his chest. “I will miss you, Amarah,” he whispered, “but it would perhaps be better if I did not see you again until the day I come for you. If not, I am sure they will find you through watching me.”

She gasped, but his logic was sound. Any rendezvous between them before it was time for her to go to the palace, could indeed reveal her location to anyone that may have thought to watch the prince. Once again, she nodded.

“I understand.” she said, quietly, her voice barely a whisper.

“Amarah,” he whispered, tilting her chin upward to meet his gaze. “I do love you.”

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