In Which Searle Catches a Falling Star

July 5, 1174

Her color had returned since he had brought her the daffodils. She was up and awake, and at least alert enough to mind the book in front of her. That was a relief. She would likely be fit for traveling by the end of the summer, or so he hoped--err, if she was willing to travel, of course.

God, he hoped she was. "Enjoying your book?"

Her brown eyes peeked over the tome's edge and sparked at the sight of him. Hastily, she stashed the book under her pillow, then smiled. "I was wondering if you were still around."

"Of course I am." She didn't think he would have left without seeing her properly, did she? Dear God... what if she did? "So... what were you reading?"

"Oh, just an old diary of my mother's." With some difficulty, she slung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, perhaps a little wobbly. Was it the first time she'd been on her feet since she'd taken ill? He had the urge to steady her. "Nothing you'd find interesting, I'm sure--girl things."

"What, things like love?" She nodded. He found himself smirking. What the hell was this? He never smirked. "I'm not sure if you mean to compliment my masculinity or insult my sensitivity. But I think love is just a human thing."

"You know what I mean." A little shaky, Viridis took a few steps toward him and fell into his embrace. Maybe this was how it felt to catch a falling star. "It's nice to see you."

God, she was so close. He could smell a hint of a flowery perfume in her hair. Perhaps her maid had washed it recently. Or perhaps it was simply her. "Viridis? Remember how I told you I'd take you to the sea?"

For a moment, she fell limp in his arms. A brief spell of panic crossed his mind as he worried that she might have fainted, but to his great relief she took a step back and raised an eyebrow. "I thought you told me to forget."

"And I see you didn't, you naughty girl!" A faint blush warmed her face as she giggled. Why the hell couldn't he stop smiling? Not even Riona at her finest had made him so giddy. "Anyway, I had a little chat with your father and I was wondering..."

No longer so steady himself, he reached for her hand and ran his thumb along the line of her finger. Her flesh had a delicate softness to it that put rose petals to shame. "...would you still be interested in going?"

A stunned look flashed across her face, but only for a second. Her breath returned to her in the form of a steady exhale as she relaxed within his grasp, the grin on her face nothing short of glowing. "You know I'd go anywhere with you."

Of all the things he'd never thought anyone would say to him. Of all the things he'd always wished to hear. It was a simple phrase, something a young child could produce if prompted, but from her mouth it was pure poetry. Oh God. He'd spent so many years wandering aimlessly, just looking for a place in the world. He needn't have bothered. He'd had one all along.

"I love you."

Twice before in his life had he said such a thing to a girl. Riona had replied with a reciprocal, yet fearful bulge of her eyes as their father's footsteps had approached. Danthia had seen it for a trivial nicety and declared that lies didn't suit him. He'd never heard the phrase spoken in turn.

But he didn't need to. That shy smile said it all.

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