Visions of what could have been plagued not only her mind, but his as well. Countless days were spent locked away in the Black Spire, viewing her through scrying magics, his soul soaked in regret and longing. He would have time run in reverse to change this wicked fate, but alas, it was a power he did not possess. The unavoidable truth remained, and he determined himself to face it, and make the next best choice. If even that was possible for one as iniquitous as he.<br/><br/>His lips parted, and his eyes shut at hearing her words. His back was to her, so he allowed himself to savor such a declaration. She still loved him. How had he ever doubted that? As badly as he longed for her embrace, to feel the warmth of her skin, to breathe the scent of wildflowers and honey that seemed to always accompany her, to run his fingers through her hair, he could not. The choices he had made, were too great. If she knew the extent of his fall, how far he'd gone, she could not love him. It may have been the hardest choice he had ever made, but he ignored the words. As he began to speak, the timbre of tears could just be heard, but he reigned it in quickly.<br/><br/>'She felt the loss of Andromeda, as surely as we stand here today. They were in close harmony...' His voice held sadness and regret, he had admired, Empress Andromeda greatly as he lived in the light. She had been an example to all their kind, and by that example he had walked many a dark path unto dawn. 'As perfect as Andromeda was, this goes beyond her loss..' his voice was tender, and sympathetic.<br/><br/>'It pains me to admit, that I do not know what is happening... not truly..' his head turned down, casting his eyes to the dirty, leaf covered floor of the foyer.