Lhurriel shifted uncomfortably when Kae took her aside for his apology. She couldn't meet his eyes either, because Corsair had just told disproved a rumor that he wished were very true.<br/><br/>"I understand, really. It would have been easy for anyone to misunderstand the conversation we'd been having," Lhurriel quickly said, the faint blush still lingering on her cheeks. Of course, unsaid was the obvious statement: that any other person would not have mentioned it, and so publicly no less. She had to roll her shoulders slightly, they were so tense.<br/><br/>"And- don't worry about Lord Atadel. I'm sure he didn't really mind... I'll go speak with him. He was just- s-surprised by the mention of it. Like me. Yes. And- and- and... I suppose I'll go speak with him now. Really, don't worry about Corsair. I can take care of it." The normally articulate, well-spoken mage stammered her way through the simple sentences and decided that it might be best to retreat before she made a complete and utter fool of herself.<br/><br/>Making a hasty exit from the dining hall, she couldn't help but give a sigh of relief. She didn't like to lie, or dance around the truth - but in this case, it would be impossible to tell Kae why the mention of marriage had disturbed Corsair and her both, without telling the entire sad story. And though it had happened so many months ago, Ree did not like to relive the accident by retelling the story.<br/><br/><em>I told Corsair... reassured him, over and over again... that I was alright. That the accident had been nothing, just bad luck. I almost believed it myself, but maybe those types of things never go away completely.</em>Sometimes when Lhurriel was stressed out or worked herself to near-exhaustion at the Palace, she would still have nightmares of torrential rain... shards of crystal slicing through the air straight at her.<br/><br/>Rocks.<br/><br/>A mangled body.<br/><br/>A blood-chilling scream as the ground rushed up-<br/><br/>Lhurriel shuddered , her white-clad arms suddenly chilled. Folding her arms about herself, she walked quickly to the library, where she knew Corsair would be brooding.<br/><br/>As she thought, he had seated himself in front of the fireplace, chin resting on top of one lightly curled fist. When she knocked lightly on the open door, he glanced back, but only turned his head back towards the dark fireplace. She sat with a sigh next to him, resting her head comfortably on his shoulder as he continued to brood over his thoughts.<br/><br/>They sifted through their thoughts silence for a long while, neither wanting to bring up the subject at hand. Finally, Corsair turned his head slightly to look down at the lovely young woman seated at his side.<br/><br/>"For the past six months... I had thought I was past our relationship. But I see I am still at a stalemate - unwilling to let go of our past, and unwilling to move onto the future. Ree, you know I love you, and deeply. I<em>would</em>marry you in a heartbeat - after what happened..."<br/><br/>With difficulty, Lhurriel restrained a frustrated moan.<em>This again</em>... he brought it up everytime, much to her dismay. She was silent for long moments as she pondered his words, and tried to think of what she could say to remind him of his duty - and hers - to their kingdom.