Page 142 (1/1)

"But … you showed it to ent and distressed "Are you in some kind of trouble, love? Is it because of esture "All your questions are about to be answered, Tulyr; pray let ely sank down to one knee A curious smile was on his face as he called the book to his hand Still, he gazed absently at the floor

"The Council commanded me to never revealwas also part of a prophecy, as they told me That part came when I questioned their provision And they told me that it was because when I so chose to reveal myself, I would at last join my people But even when I resolved within hts, and told h I intended never to do it, I eventually would, as I was destined to do so"

He ers around Mericlou's nearly white hand, returning his gaze fully upon her His blue eyes shone deeply and intensely into her a her to complete attention

"Most importantly, they prophesied that the one whom I would show myself to would be the one whom I loved more than life itself … and would wish to spend the rest of eternity with"

At first, Mericlou had expectedof his words She eyed hily at first, but Aldrec was patient, and the way he looked at her: expectant and halfway nervous, was a very helpful clue

Then she understood

Her eyes lit up like golden fireworks as herher voice

"Love … that … that sounded like … I , Aldrec nodded, and then opened the hand that had held hers Nestled inside his palold-encrusted jewel The size of the nail on her little finger, it glittered in the light of the library's rune la white, yellow, pink, red, and purple

"This jewel is one of the symbols of love between maiden and lord," Aldrec explained as he held it before Mericlou "The colors that it reflects vary from couple to couple, so that no two are exactly the salance "I find it interesting that it shines in the colors of the procession of roses, but I believe that it is also fitting because you are my little flower … my Tulyr