Morning Hope Rising, Part 5

As the moon climbed into the sky, the brown-eyed outlander warrior knew he was home. The music and food followed him as he led his lady around. Her starry green eyes truly were the envy of every man there, and her status as outlander seemed to add to her beauty and mystique. The most promising thing of all was that she stayed true to her word — her eyes only found him all evening, and she refused every dance offer with the proper old tongue courtesy.

He could feel his love sword shifting as she quietly ate. She never talked much, and he wasn’t sure he liked that. Their chee-chin were lying around her feet, but they were just a few of many here in his homeland, so she didn’t get undue attention. She almost seemed to be adjusting to the physical changes of the attack.

Without warning, a wandering minstrel with blue eyes strode up and began singing a union song. She closed her eyes and started to hum along. As the brown-eyed warrior dug in his trousers for a few coins, the minstrel shook his head, winked, and tossed him a ring. The brown-eyed warrior’s eyes widened, and he almost dropped the ring because of his surprise. The minstrel wasn’t one of his normal connections. The minstrel’s blue eyes twinkled with delight at his shock, and the minstrel bowed silently and left.

The brown-eyed outlander warrior was stunned. The ring far surpassed any of his expectations. Looking at the gem was like looking at one of those starry eyes. The lady never saw the ring before he slipped it in his trousers pocket. Her eyes were still closed, and her breathing signaled she was getting a little too tired for anything.

He sighed. He knew he’d never have the right words. She cocked her head, almost like she expected him to say something; her eyes stayed closed.

“You’re beautiful tonight, snowcat. I almost want this moment to last forever.”

She smiled and sighed, then opened her eyes. He could almost imagine a whole universe with those stars at the center.

He continued. “But it won’t. And I think, maybe, just maybe, it’s time. Let me take you home.”

Although her breathing got a little faster and irregular, she didn’t look away. She nodded and responded, “Yes, lover.”

He was stunned again by her submission. He got up, walked to stand behind her, and then offered her his arm. She sighed and rose to follow him back to the cottage.