Tears no longer threatened to fall, nor did they still glisten on her cheeks. She felt she had wept enough to offer Poseidon a new domain to rule yet even though her eyes had run dry hours before she longed to cry for her loss. Even now the gentle breeze reminded her all too vividly of the tenderness Daphne had found in her lover's last embrace. She could feel the gentle stirring of her hair as the wind provoked it into dancing at her temples yet she swore it was Eirene's breath as they spoke together. A pained cry threatened to spill from her lips causing her to grit her teeth and tug the ties firmer around her waist as though their thin security could offer comfort in a time of emotional upheaval.<br/><br/>Daphne could still hear her love's voice, her heart breaking further every time her traitorous mind replayed the scene. It had been the first time she had ever witnessed her Mistress so utterly broken and the sight alone could have been enough to jar the young woman. When the tears came it was enough to cause Daphne to begin crying herself. She had ached to clear the wretched tears that had spilled unceremoniously down the same cheeks she had once kissed as she begged for mercy from this sudden sentence. She had pleaded for Eirene to change her mind, her hands clinging to her lover's shoulders with a horrible desperation tinting her voice.<br/><br/>Yet no declaration of love, no act of passion could sway the opinion of the only woman she had ever loved.<br/><br/>It was broken hearted, her shoulders back proudly and spine stiff, that she walked away from the other woman all the while silently cursing herself for the humble humility her appearance must seem. Bare footed as a common street urchin she trod down the road, the thin slip she wore enough to send the local women fleeing to one another with tales of the harlot walking the streets brazenly.<br/><br/>So lost was she in the raw sensation of her emotions that she hardly noticed the passing of time. She had walked the empty streets without distinguished thought, passing through the deserted market square and pausing long enough to allow a new wave of heartache to sweep through her as she gazed upon the memorable fountain before moving on. Only the sudden presence of her suitor brought her frame the grief induced trance she had allowed herself to fall prey to. She gave a muffled cry as her body became enveloped by Orion's strong arms and, only for the briefest of moments, did she resist the lure of comfort before sinking into his hold. Her eyes squeezed close against the sudden wave of fresh tears that welled within and her fingers clung to the fine fabric he wore.<br/><br/>"I..." She began yet speechless uncertainty forced her to trail off into silence. All the more she clung to him as he spoke before she realized how inappropriately close they had become in such a public place. Yet she refused steadfastly to pull away. Instead blue eyes caught his gaze only to lower just enough to his lips, so sinfully close to her own. Her heart skipped a beat. Eirene had encouraged her to marry the dashing sailor, what was the harm of a little kiss...?<br/><br/>Gently, almost uncertain in her own forwardness, she rose to her toes to meet his lips with her own. Immediately her arms rose to slip about his neck, fingertips softly caressing his shoulders and neck as her body pressed welcomingly against his own. With reluctant, slow movements she pulled away, her breath caught in her throat. "I would be nothing if not ecstatic to sail with you to Alexandria as your wife."