"But … you showed it to me," Mericlou said, her voice urgent and distressed. "Are you in some kind of trouble, love? Is it because of me?"

Aldrec made a silencing gesture. "All your questions are about to be answered, Tulyr; pray let me continue."

Mericlou was silent as Aldrec strangely 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 reveal my true form to anyone," he said, "but this warning was 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 myself never to do such a thing, they revealed my thoughts, and told me that even though I intended never to do it, I eventually would, as I was destined to do so."

He moved his flesh-toned fingers around Mericlou's nearly white hand, returning his gaze fully upon her. His blue eyes shone deeply and intensely into her amber ones, drawing 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 expected more, and had not completely comprehended the full meaning of his words. She eyed him questioningly 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 her mouth fell open. She made a slow, silent gasp before finding her voice.

"Love … that … that sounded like … I mean were you … was that a … proposal?"

Saying nothing, Aldrec nodded, and then opened the hand that had held hers. Nestled inside his palm was a gold-encrusted jewel. The size of the nail on her little finger, it glittered in the light of the library's rune lamps, throwing about prismatic shades of sparkling 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 same." He laughed quietly as he examined it through a sideways glance. "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.




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