The kiss had initially been soft, sweet; exactly what she could handle. But, then it was like she was tumbling down into the abyss, his kiss pulling her down faster as it deepened. It was the first kiss they’d shared since her wedding night that had breached that level, and it was the first time that she’d realized she missed that. Since that night, she’d found it hard to have much contact. Even hugging could be too much, or the simple touch of a hand holding hers. She hadn’t realized how long it’d been since they shared something more intimate.<span style="font-style: italic">And I…miss this,</span>she thought, momentarily surprised.<br/><br/>Like all good things, though, this moment came to an end. The bird broke through their bubble of solitude and reminded her that the fairytale was coming to an end, a brief but sad end. “I love you, too,” came her heavy words, unwilling to leave as he stepped away. Another quick kiss was stolen, even after he’d backed away and then she was running back to the castle (yes, running, as hastening would not have been fast enough).<br/><br/>Brád had been right, too. Simprina had been pacing back and forth, meeting Maria in the grand hall before ushering her to her room.<br/><br/>“You’re well?” she asked, voice cautious, door closing and sitting her down to commence brushing her hair.<br/><br/>“I’m well, thank you.” It was hard to keep the smile from her lips at the prospect of seeing him later.<br/><br/>The look, however, wasn’t missed. “You seem to be in finer spirits.”<br/><br/>“Do I?”<br/><br/>“You do,” Simprina replied.<br/><br/>“I simply had a much-needed talk with a friend,” Maria replied with the lightest of shrugs.<br/><br/>“A friend? A certain friend who likes to hang around and pine after you?” she questioned ruefully, only to recant at the look that Maria gave her in the mirror. “My apologies; I was speaking above my station.”<br/><br/>The rest of the night went by slowly, painfully so, as she was changed into her night gown, as the hot coals were sorted at the foot of her bed, as she was settled into her bed for the night. Each woman made sure she was feeling alright before they left, Maria waiting on pins and needles in bed for the last to finally leave her presence. Then, it was a quiet trip to her door and a slow turn of her lock, leaving her uncertain what to do with herself. Should they be risking this? Should they be so callous?<br/><br/>But, she was over to her window before she could second guess herself, opening it wide to the wall of cool air that came pouring forth. Her curtain was taken and carefully put out the window to blow in the breeze, simultaneously looking around to see him; happy she couldn’t, but worried he’d not be able to make it.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">And now we wait…</span>