“Nimue, stop for a moment,” Maric pleaded as he pulled on her hand. Nimue walked the full length of her arm but his grip was like iron, yanking her back. “ …it is the thing I love about you….”<br/><br/>Nimue’s eyes went wide.<br/><br/>“You love about me?” she turned and looked up at Maric through thick eyelashes. She was more than shocked at the sentiment. The pack slid from her hand as she stood there as if frozen in time. He took her other hand and pulled her to him, kissing her knuckles.<br/><br/>“Did you just say relationship? Like  you want to be part of my life, relationship? Like I would belong to you, relationship?” Nimue didn’t trust her ears. She knew she was a silly romantic and sometimes daydreamed happy things that weren’t really part of real life. “I do trust you, Maric with my very soul.”<br/><br/>She slipped her arms around his neck and initiated a kiss, soft and tender, as if sealing a holy bargain.<br/><br/>“Of course, I treat you as a human. Why would I not? The servant is not the master and no matter what training and education you have, you are still only the servant to one who rules over you.” She said with wisdom beyond her years.<br/><br/>Down below, cries were ringing out as Layla flew in lazy circles overhead making sure Nimue was safe. The young woman waved at her with joyous abandon and then was surprised to hear the warning bells ringing in the church yard below.