She Walks in Starlight

                   “AS DETERMINED AS YOU SOUND,   you  do  know that you cannot be certain of that,  do you not?”  One slender brow arches upward as she speaks,  her gaze fixing upon the prince.  “Even so,  I do  appreciate  the sentiment.”

                      SLOWLY HER BROW FURROWS,  and for a moment she opens her mouth as if to protest, but thinking better of it, quickly closes it once more. Lips pressing tightly together, reluctantly she gives a short nod. “Yes, my lord.”

                     “TEMPORARILY, YES.” A small nod is given in acknowledgement as she replies, head tilting slightly to one side as a brief pause follows. Restlessness having gotten the better of her, she had deemed a walk necessary, even if only to calm her thoughts. “ — But I have returned, have I not?”

                “I SAW NO NEED  to concern you with it,”  she replies simply, resisting the urge to shrug as she replies. Her side aches, she can’t deny that much, blood having begun to soak through the think fabric of her clothing. Still, she’s had worse and is barely hindered by it. “It’s not too bad — just a scratch, really. I’ll see to it later.”

                     HER BREATH CATCHES,  and for a moment she’s silent as her gaze flickers upward to meet his, a hoard of emotions flashing across her features before she’s able to suppress them once more. She hasn’t allowed herself to HOPE, and now isn’t the time to start. Green eyes remain fixed upon the prince, and she can’t keep her brow from furrowing slightly in question. “I… I’m not entirely certain what you mean…”