The spiral tattoo on Nimue’s arm began to burn, not in pain but in connection and she realized that the Ladies of Avalon were sending her power. More than that, Nimue’s eyes began to sting, not from the power of Maric’s light but from the aura of goodness that emanated from him. Warmth that she had not felt since she last lay in Daffyd’s arms seemed to flow over her and Nimue understood that this was the power of love that poured forth from him.<br/><br/>Maric had never seemed taller or stronger than he did at that moment and something more. She stumbled along after him and felt her lungs burning long before they stopped to regather their breath.Tears were freely flowing down her cheeks now and she was almost afraid to look him in the eye lest he see the love that had sprung full grown from her heart in the manner of ancient gods and their offspring.<br/><br/>Would he just do his duty and see her to safety to only turn his face away and leave her? Nimue felt her heart breaking at the thought of that. The wind picked up, swirling her black curls around her face, a face that was etched with suffering.<br/><br/>Maric’s hand was like an iron band around her wrist as he led her through the forest, up to the clear space that was rock and not grass. Nimue put the hood on her cape up, hiding her face and she began to silently link her mind with Layla. In her mind’s eye, she saw the golden dragon’s head rear up and in her mind’s ear heard her roar. Suddenly, Nimue was incredibly weary and leaned against Maric, taking the heat from his body as a place of refuge.<br/><br/>“Oh, Maric,” she whispered, “I have ruined your life. Forgive me.”