She took the kiss without reluctance. Their lips met, passionate and moist, hers wet with tears, his full of lust. Eirene couldn’t even remember the last time she stood this close to a man, not to mention having any sort of physical contact. A kiss. Her first with a man.<br/><br/>When he broke the kiss, all she could do was to touch her own lips, gazing at him in disbelief. Within his handsome features and ardent eyes there was a glimmer of hope. Her hope to get Daphne back, to have her once more. And something else. She saw her own desire mirrored in Orion’s eyes. Her chest heaved, filled with new, unexpected emotions. To be wanted by a man. To want him close. Who was she now? What did she truly want?<br/><br/>Eirene left her hand to fall beside her. She raised her chin and gazed at the man before her, narrowing her eyes. Who was he to make her doubt herself? To make her this confused.<br/>“Take me with you. Take me to sail the world with Daphne. Marry her and take us both with you .” She said it. No subtleties, no beating around the bush.<br/>“Go and talk with her parents. Then give me your answer, you don’t have to do it now. “<br/><br/>She wanted to be alone for now. There was so much to think about.<br/><br/>As soon as he left, Eirene went outside. She spotted Daphne’s delicate frame, but said nothing up to that point.<br/><br/>“You can come out now, love.” Her voice was tender and filled with grief, but more than anything it was full of yearning.  “Don’t do anything so rash every again.” She embraced the young woman with all her love, tightly wrapping her arms around Daphne and placing one hand on the back of her head. With tenderness, she pressed Daphne’s forehead against her shoulder.<br/><br/>“Please forgive me, I couldn’t protect you. I couldn’t do anything. You can’t be mine any longer.”<br/><br/>She moved away and let Daphne gaze back at her. “You have to marry Orion and sail away as far from here as you can. “ She caressed her soft cheek with her thumb, sliding it on Daphne’s full lips as well. Then tears trailed down from her eyes once more. “This may be goodbye, love. Truly goodbye.”<br/>