Forever Hold Your Peace

[Killian Jones]

Tag: @elizabeth

a  hero's  journey

THAT IS INDEED GOOD FORM

Things were not exactly how Killian would have imagined to be in his life, but he knew he shouldn't complain. He and Elizabeth had gotten married not too long ago and the two of them were still . . . adjusting. He had known her all his life and he loved her . . . just, not the way a husband should love a wife. He knew he should consider himself lucky. She was beautiful beyond compare, she had an incredible heart, she was kind, compassionate, caring, and so many other wonderful traits that Killian could endlessly list.

 But, what had caused them to get married was not a mutual romantic love for one another; it was politics. Her family's wishes, and what was best for status and protection. Killian also knew that she didn't love him and it caused him to feel a bit, guilty. Guilty, for depriving her of the chance to meet someone else and fall in love with them, thus, having a truly happy marriage.

But alas, what could they do? As he previously acknowledged, he knew he should consider himself lucky for Elizabeth was the most incredible woman he knew and . . . well, it wasn't as if he was in love with another. Perhaps, the two of them could grow to love each other, the way spouses should. But for the time being, he couldn't deny the awkwardness of going from such close friends, to lovers. That thought in his mind caused him hesitation as he stood outside the door. He knew it was expected for them to spend nights together but . . . it was still something that the two of them were greatly adjusting to.

He took a deep breath and lightly knocked on the door, not feeling comfortable to just barge in. After a few moments, he opened it and entered, closing the door behind him for if he spent too long lingering in the hall of their estate, someone would come and question his reasons and he couldn't reveal them. He gave a soft smile as he looked at Elizabeth, not having seen her most of the day as he was working at the docks. With Liam's upcoming marriage, he was busy for his marriage was to a royal, a princess of another kingdom. "Elizabeth," he greeted as a smile remained on his lips. "How was your day?" The question seemed so . . . formal and yet informal at the same time. He wanted so badly to rid the awkwardness but he supposed the only thing that could do that was time.

[Deleted]

Elizabeth was troubled. She wasn't supposed to see the Princess that Liam was to marry, but she managed to sneak a peek of her. Maybe she should have just stayed home and waited for Killian to arrive home.. but her curiosity had gotten the best of her. She was now sitting in her bedroom - as she and Killian came to the realization that they cared for each other in too different of a way to share a bed. She was gazing out a window, just reflecting on the Princess' beauty and what Liam thought of her.. when she heard a knock at the door. She absentmindedly glanced when someone walked in, and it brought a small smile to her lips when she saw that it was her husband..but most importantly her best friend, Killian. "It was..." her smile began to fade. "Educational." 

She knew he'd ask her to elaborate, so she continued.. but first, she stood up and smoothed down her dress. "I saw her. The Princess.. The one that Liam is to wed today." She walked toward Killian, and stopped when she stood a few inches in front of him. "She's beautiful.." her eyes looked sad when she meet Killian's gaze. "I am certain that He will find love, and happiness in her." And she, in him, no doubt. He was incredible..handsome, and kind. Both brothers were.. but she was in love with Liam and she couldn't stop it. "Perhaps.. I should allow myself to be happy, too." She wasn't thinking when she acted next. 

She leaned in close to Killian, and for the first time since they were announced as Husband and Wife, she kissed him. It wasn't a chaste, friendly kiss.. It was a kiss that you would give someone that you were madly in love with. Only..it felt..odd. No matter.. she was determined to show the world - and lie to herself - that she wasn't bothered! 


Killian Jones

[Killian Jones]

Tag: @elizabeth

a  hero's  journey

THAT IS INDEED GOOD FORM

Killian would have indeed asked her to elaborate when she said that it was educational, but she seemed to understand this for she went on to explain her choice of word. She admitted to seeing the princess, and stated that she was very beautiful; that she was certain they would find love and happiness in each other. It made him feel . . . guilty. Were these what she longed for in a spouse? Well, of course it was. And . . . what if he could never provide her with that? What if he just made her unhappy and feel unloved? He kept his insecurities and uncertainties contained, knowing that it would not help matters if he ever expressed them. Instead, he smiled.

"They sound like a fine match," he stated. He did indeed hope his brother found happiness and joy in the princess, and that she in him. His brother deserved that . . . as did Elizabeth. She then stated that perhaps she should allow herself happiness as well and he was about to ask in what way, when he suddenly felt her lips upon his. Now, ordinarly, he was not one to reject the kiss of a beautiful woman -- especially his wife. But . . . this was different. Something felt off. This was not the nature of their reltionship, though it should indeed be. A husband and wife should be passionate, filled with desire for one another . . . yet the two of them were still adjusting, still working on those aspects of the marriage. And this kiss felt almost . . . forced. Killian's eyes remained open, as he contemplated what to do.

Closing them, he wondered if he should let the kiss linger, fearful of seeming like a horrible husband if he brought her actions to a hault. On the other hand . . . she had always been his dearest friend, and he could tell that something wasn't right. That love for her, trumped whatever duty he should have as a husband. He slowly opened his eyes and gently pulled his lips from hers, his hands resting on either of her shoulders. "Elizabeth," he breathed, slightly heavy with breath from her sudden actions. He looked at her, unable to place the emotions he saw behind her eyes.

"What's wrong?" A question that would have seemed odd, for a wife kissing her husband should not indicate that anything was wrong. But their circumstnaces were completely different. "I can tell something is bothering you," he added on in a soft voice, afraid of upsetting her yet unable to ignore whatever she was going through. "You can tell me what it is . . . you can always tell me what's troubling you." Their marriage would not change that for he would first and foremost be her beloved friend. Though perhaps, that was part of the problem; the inability to move past the friendship barrier.

[Deleted]

It did feel wrong. As much as she loved Killian with her entire heart and soul, it felt forced to throw herself at him. To kiss Killian was one thing..but to attempt such passion with someone she did not love was far too difficult, and she was sure by the stiffness of his lips that he could tell something was amiss. In fact, he stopped the kiss, and looked in to her eyes. It felt..strange. As if he were staring right in to her soul. He was bound to figure out why she was unhappy.. but she could at least try again. She couldn't let herself wallow. "Don't be ridiculous, Killian.. nothing is wrong. Can't a wife show her husband how much she desires him?" She could barely get the words out. Oh! He was like family! But no.. he was her betrothed. Not Liam. Not Liam.. In an act of desperation, she pulled him in to yet another deep kiss, this one attempting to be more lustful than the last...and failing horribly. 

This time, Elizabeth herself opened her eyes, and pulled herself away, breathing heavily. "What am I doing?" She lifted her hands and placed them over her face, covering it in shame. "You're my husband and yet...I..." She lowered her hands away from her face, and she met his eyes once more. "I can tell you anything, can't I?" She'd always been able to. He was her best friend. Her confidante. "For years.. I've been in love with Liam..and today he married someone that he will likely love until the end of their days... and you.. you're stuck in a passionless  marriage, and I am so.. so sorry," she could feel herself choking up. "Killian, I love you, but you deserve a wife who can be with you in..every way." It felt good to get off of her chest. It felt..freeing. 

"Perhaps one day we can grow to love each other as we should.. but now..I .. feel so desperate to get over Liam.. I did not mean to put you in such an awkward position.." 


Killian Jones

[Killian Jones]

Tag: @elizabeth

a  hero's  journey

THAT IS INDEED GOOD FORM

Elizabeth asked him a question that wasn't exactly easy to answer. He wasn't even sure if he did have a response for it. A wife shouldn't be questioned for showing her desire for her husband . . . but as he had already established, their circumstances were quite unique. She asked if she could tell him anything and he gave a small nod of his head. "Of course, Elizabeth," he told her. Little did he know just what he was agreeing to for the next words that fell from her lips, caused Killian to freeze with shock. Liam. His brother. She was in love with his brother.

He felt as if the wind had just gotten knocked out of him upon hearing this admittance. His throat felt dry, as if it was impossible to speak in this moment. So he just listened, which was all he could do. Years. She had loved Liam for years, and she was apologizing that he was stuck in a passionless marriage. She loved him, but he deserved a wife to properly be with him. Her words finished with saying that perhaps they could grow to love one another, but she was now desperate to get over Liam; and that she didn't mean to put him in an awkward position.

Each word she said filled his mind, to the point where he had to turn his gaze away from her and close his eyes, clenching his jaw to fight back his emotions. She was in love with his brother, and stuck in a marriage with him. It was one thing to deprive her the chance of meeting another that she would fall in love with . . . but an entirely different matter for her to already be in love with someone.

And of all people, it was his brother. He slowly opened his eyes, forcing his gaze to hers, knowing that he should say something. "How could you not say anything?" He said, unable to conceal the hurt from his voice. "How could you just silently let us get married, and all the while, you were in love with Liam. My brother." He felt an ache in the pit of his stomach, in the core of his heart.

"Does he love you too?" He questioned, unsure what the nature of her and Liam's relationship was now. "And all you can say to me is that you're sorry." He knew he should be finding a way t comfort her, but he couldn't. He was still processing this truth she had revealed to him. "What am I supposed to do now, Elizabeth? What are we supposed to do?" Had she told him before, perhaps he could have done something. But now . . . they were married. They were both stuck.

"You know what it is to love and yet you have to endure a loveless marriage." Killian had never been in love, which was why he had hoped to find that in her eventually. But now . . . how could they. For every time she saw him, she would think of his brother. "Tell me that you can look at me without seeing my brother," he both questioned and stated . . . for he had a feeling he already knew the answer. He felt sick. Sick about this whole situation. "Why didn't you say anything," he repeated in a quiet voice, this time as more of a thought that just slipped his mind rather than a question demanding an answer. He felt more trapped than ever before, knowing she was in love with another . . . and knowing he was depriving her of embracing that love . . . with his brother.

[Deleted]

Elizabeth could see the look on his face..the hurt.. the ache. She had broken his heart... but then.. did she? He seemed angry, asking her questions that she unfortunately knew the answer to. Her voice turned a type of cold that Killian had likely never heard coming from her before. "Allow me to start by saying No, Killian. He does not love me." She didn't know that.. she only assumed. "And For your information, what I see when I look at you is you, another man who I love with every fiber of my being who can't even stomach sharing a bed with me!" She was hurt, feeling as though she had been rejected by not one, but both of the only men she had ever had feelings for. "My heart has always beat for both of you.. I can't help it that I fell more toward Liam. But I feel it when you kiss me.. You don't love me..not like a man loves a wife.." She felt a hiccup in her throat. Her voice was wavering.. she was becoming broken hearted, and reckless with her words. 

"I was happy to say 'I do' to you, Killian...but you can't honestly tell me that you would have loved me enough to propose to me should this have not occured...Would you??" Tears were welling in her eyes. Was she so hard to love? Was it impossible? "I can't believe that you think that I would have just stayed with you without a single ounce of love.." She clenched her teeth in anger, trying desperately not to say anything hurtful that she did not mean. "And I can't believe you would think that with everything we've gone through together, that I would trap you in a loveless marriage.." She stared at him for a long moment before turning away and walking back toward her window. "You don't have to stay...you can go back to your room, if it pleases you. Perhaps you'll see the Princess along the way and fall in love with her as well.." She sat down quietly on her perch near her the window, looking out over the sea. "This is what I get for being one of the boys when we were young.." 


Killian Jones

[Killian Jones]

Tag: @elizabeth

a  hero's  journey

THAT IS INDEED GOOD FORM

She too was getting angry and it only caused the conversation to intensify. She confirmed that Liam did not love her . . . yet what did Killian know at this point. He hadn't the slightest idea what she loved his brother; what if he loved her too? "Do not tell me about being able to stomach a bed with you," he argued back, ensuring he did not raise his voice. For even as hurt as he was right now, he could never raise his voice to a woman . . . least of all Elizabeth. "For you can hardly look at me when we share it." Their wedding night had been, awkward. It had lacked the passion that a husband and wife should properly have, and it was part of his immense guilt for having to put her through this. Yet now, that guilt was heightened to a whole new extreme.

"And you don't love me either, Elizabeth. Not like one should love a husband. Not like you love Liam." He knew that she loved him, just as he loved her . . . but it was not in a romantic way. Her admittance for her feelings for Liam confirmed that. "Don't," he said flatly upon hearing her say that she was happy to say I do to him. "Don't tell me you are happy. If you were truly happy, you wouldn't be confessing your love for my brother right now." But she wasn't happy. She was heart broken by the sound of it. How could someone not be if having to marry another when the man you truly loved was also getting married. "No, you are not trapped with a loveless husband. Just a man who you love less than another." He slightly shook his head, unable to believe any of this. "I do love you, Elizabeth," he stated, able to say that with ease.

"But we both know that the love we share, is not that of a husband and wife." They both knew it; which was why things had been so awkward. "The difference is, that I have never been in love before. I presumed you had not either. So I'd hoped . . . that with time, we could develop such a love." But how could they now? How could they, when she loved his brother for he knew that such emotions would not fade away so quickly.

And what was he to do? Bed her every night to help her forget? He couldn't. He wouldn't do that. She walked away from him, telling him that he could leave if he wanted to; that he could return to his room. He stood there stiffly, looking at her, despite her gaze not being rested on him. "Your happiness has always meant everything to me," he continued to say, finding it increasingly impossible to conceal the hurt. "But today, you have proved how little mine means to you. For if you truly held any love for me at all, you would not have agreed to marry me. You would have told me the truth long before we exchanged our vows." Instead . . . they were this. Best friends turned husband and wife. And even within that marriage . . . they were already arguing.

[Deleted]

This wasn't how she thought the conversation would go. In fact, she wasn't entirely sure -what- would happen when she admitted her feelings for Liam.. but she and Killian had never been in an argument before, so this was completely new. She could tell he wasn't going to leave.. he wanted to resolve this just as she did. But.. how? He had never been in love, and, really, was Elizabeth? Or was she just jealous? She didn't understand.. she didn't even realize her love for Liam was different until the Princess had arrived. "Killian, I swear on my life that if I knew my feelings for Liam before you and I were married I would have told you.." She turned to face him again, finding that she couldn't just turn him away. "But  the truth is, I don't understand those feelings. I wanted to tell you about this.. because I could always tell you everything." 

Once more, she stood up, and this time, she kept her distance. "You are my husband.. and I would never change that.. Look at you. What woman wouldn't want to be your bride? It was just.. difficult the first night.. We went from children frolicing on the beach together, to being husband and wife. Even though I have feelings for Liam, does not mean that I can't be in love with you..." It was the truth. Perhaps her feelings for Liam were jealousy of Emma for taking away a friend.. or maybe it was a crush.. or it could have been that he represented a time when the three of them were children and marriages were a thing of the distant future. "Please don't push me away for something I can't control, Killian.." she closed her eyes, and lowered her gaze to the floor. "I want us to love one another like we are supposed to.. and I believe, that we will one day." She opened her eyes once more to look at him. "Are you so sure now after this confession that we never will?" 


Killian Jones

[Killian Jones]

Tag: @elizabeth

a  hero's  journey

THAT IS INDEED GOOD FORM

She was telling him that if she knew her feelings for Liam, then she would have told him. "Feelings of being in love do not develop in an instant, Elizabeth," he said in a low voice. He had never been in love but he imagined it was something that built with time. And . . . her love for Liam surely built. Yet she had not told him, and that hurt more than anything else. "Whatever you felt for him, you should have told before our wedding day." Before . . . well, now. She claimed that she could tell him anything, but not this? Not how she felt about his brother? He remained silent as she continued to speak, saying that she would not change the fact that he was her husband.

But . . . he couldn't believe her. He would change it if he could because if there was a chance he could unite her with the man that she truly loved, and give her a marriage full of such love and happiness, then he would do everything in his power to do so. "But you're not," he immediately countered. "You're not in love with me and . . . I didn't expect you to be," he told her truthfully. For he too agreed that their wedding night was difficult.

That it would be difficult for the first little while. She was telling him not to be upset over her feelings for Liam. "I am not upset over the fact that you are in love with Liam." How could he blame any woman for that? Liam was a great man, a far better than he. "I am upset that you, settled for his brother." For him. Because that was what she had done; settle for the lesser Jones when she could have been with the one she truly loved.

"Thus, depriving yourself of true happiness. Because you deserve better than this." It was what all this came down to. He wasn't upset because he felt rejected. He was upset because she was in love with someone else and had not given herself the chance to be with him. As he said, he would place her happiness above all else. She told him that she wanted them to love each other as they were supposed to -- something that he wanted . . . had wanted as well. And then asked if it never would after this confession. He remained silent for a few moments, before posing a question of his own.

"Tell me something, Elizabeth, if I were to confess to you that I was in love with another woman. . . how would you feel? What would you think of our marriage? Could you lay with me, knowing I was in love with another? Could you promise me that I would move past this love? Could you swear that you could make me as happy as she would?" He wanted her to see it from his perspective, because he did know she loved him, albeit in a different way, but she still held value for his happiness . . . and he wanted her to know that that was what hurt the most from all this.

[Deleted]

Everything he was saying to her struck cord after cord. He knew her better than anyone, and what he was saying was ringing true, whether she wanted to hear it or not. She didn't want to be in love with Liam..she wanted it to be Killian. She ached to want him as a wife would want a husband, but that wasn't what the two of them had together. It wasn't fair.. what if he did want to love another? What if he absolutely couldn't love her? Elizabeth's mind was swimming with frustration, and confusion, and pain. "Oh, Killian.." she breathed, feeling the pit of her stomach aching. "I wish you wouldn't say that I settled for you..." She closed her eyes, and shook her head. "It wouldn't have mattered. He was part of an arranged marriage to the princess. You and I were arranged together as well." 

Even if she'd told Liam she loved him, she couldn't have been with him. It wasn't how things worked.. no matter how much she wished it was. "I feel guilt that you had to marry me.. because you -won't- get to find love in another.. Because you were cursed with the task of marrying someone you were not in love with. But I would never be merely settling for you.. I wish you would understand.."  He then tried to put her in his position. What if he were the one in love with another.. would she really be happy with keeping him in such a miserable? The answer was no. "No.." she spoke softly. "I would want to do anything I could to make you happy, because your smile is one of the reasons I wake up every day. I can't bare to see that smile faded." She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. "But again.. it wouldn't matter.. because my family.. and the family of the princess, arranged things the way they did for a reason."

She stepped closer to him again.. once more, she was standing only a few inches from him. "We need to make the best of this, Killian.. don't let our marriage ruin the best friendship I've ever had.. I love you.."


Killian Jones

[Killian Jones]

Tag: @elizabeth

a  hero's  journey

THAT IS INDEED GOOD FORM

She told him that she wished he hadn't said that she settled for him . . . but how could he think otherwise? She may love him, but she was not in love with him and that was the significant difference. She then told him that it wouldn't have mattered because he was part of an arranged marriage anyway. "You shouldn't underestimate the lengths I would go to make sure you're happy," he told her. The words would have held a slight tease, had the curent mood of the conversation not been so tense. He couldn't help but now think of the possibility of . . . what if Liam loved her too.

He had been so oblivious to Elizabeth's love for his brother; what if it was mutual? And he was now what stood in the way of the two people he loved most being together. The thought made him feel sick. So utterly disgusted with himself. "Because I was never in love, I hoped to find that with you," he confessed to her. He wanted to build that kind of love with her, and the hope that they would was why he had agreed to this arranged marriage. "I have never known another woman I care for more than you, and I hoped with every breath in my body that we could find the love and joy a husband and wife share. I hoped I could make you happy and feel loved." But he now knew that he wasn't the man who could give her that; he wasn't the one who possessed that sort of power.

"If Liam is that man for you . . . I would want you to be with him." He still did, somehow. Yet now they were both married. And Liam was married to a princess no less. How did Killian even approach this situation? She then admitted her answer to his questions when asking her to place herself in his shoes. She told him that she would do anything to make him happy, that seeing him smile was one of the reasons she woke up every day . . . and he could so easily relate to that; for it was mutual. He wanted nothing more than to see her smile; truly smile.

Be genuinely happy. He had always felt the pressures of being such a man, and he had hoped that with time . . . if he couldn't be, then perhaps a child would give her that happiness and joy. She then added that they needed to make the best of this and while he knew she was right, he couldn't so easily concede. Was it too late to speak to his brother? Or perhaps the princess? Were they already married at this time? "And I love you," he said quietly, but sincerely. "Which is why I can't . . . just do nothing, knowing how you feel." But he didn't know what to do for he did not wish to offend either family, nor disrespect Elizabeth or his brother. "How do we move forward from this?" He asked only somewhat rhetorically, for it was not an easy question to answer and he feared that neither of them had the answer.

[Deleted]

As emotional as this discussion was, it was a conversation that needed to be had. The smallest of smiles formed on Elizabeth's lips. Why was she smiling? Because she knew he was right. He would do anything to make her happy...which meant that it was likely now in his mind to attempt persuading Liam to be with her...but that was not on the table. It was too late.. the wedding was over. When he said those words about how he had hoped he would find true love in her, and how if Liam was the man for her that she should be with him.. Oh, how she wished that she could take back her confession. That she could have ignored it.. that she could have just lived in happiness with Killian. Why did she have to fall for the wrong brother? 

"Who says that Liam is the man for me? Is it not possible to be in love, get one's heart broken, and love another? My heart has been shattered, Killian.. You can rebuild it. We can do it together.." It was too late for her and Liam.. perhaps it wasn't to late for she and Killian. "One day, you may find love in another.. and if you do, I want you to be free to tell me. We're friends.. we love one another. We should at least.. continue this marriage for the sake of everything we have together." 

He  asked what they were to do now.. and she had no idea. She took him by the hands, and stepped even closer, looking up in to his eyes. Those beautiful eyes. "Just hold me..." She wrapped her arms around him, and closed her eyes as she rested her head against his chest. She was lucky. She was married to a man who was dutiful, loyal, and a wonderful, kind person. Why would she ever question it? 


Killian Jones

[Killian Jones]

Tag: @elizabeth

a  hero's  journey

THAT IS INDEED GOOD FORM

She was asking him questions that he knew not the answers to . . . because he had never been in love before. "I fear you are placing far too much faith in me, Elizabeth," he told her, hearing her speak of why it couldn't be possible that he would be the one to mend her heart. He didn't know how to do that. Would it take time? Was there any way for it to truly heal? Wouldn't she always think of his brother? He trusted her, of course he did, but knowing this . . . he couldn't help but think he should have done more to find out whether she had been in love with another, before marrying him. She then told him that he may find love in another and would want him to tell her. He lightly shook his head.

"I would not wish to love another, apart from my wife." He already loved her, that much was established, but now it was taking that love and building it into one that a husband and wife felt for each other. But though he would never admit it, he lost the confidence in his ability to do so . . . knowing she loved his brother. "I don't know how you can bare to be with me Elizabeh. I truly, just don't know." How could she so easily love another? How could she stand to be with the brother of the man she loved?

She took him by the hands, and asked him to hold her, a request that he certainly could not deny, especially when she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. He swallowed back his emotions, and slowly wrapped his arms around her. He slightly lowered his head so that his lips were rested against the top of her head. "I'm sorry," he whispered in a low voice. "For all you must be going through." In all that he had allowed to happen without fighting harder for her happiness.

[Deleted]

Things spiraled out of control in the conversation. She didn't mean to hurt Killian's feelings.. In fact, she had hoped that he would have told her that she was being ridiculous. She felt ridiculous.. she felt as though she had let her husband down. It was tearing her up inside, and she wished that she could have just taken it all back..but it was too late. His words were not falling on deaf ears, but she feared that perhaps anything that she would say to him, now would be. He held her.. apologizing for all she was going through.. but it wasn't his fault by any means. "Killian.. I wish I could take back all I said.. because I'm afraid you don't understand that it's.. it's possible, to love two people at the same time. It may not seem like it, but," she looked in to his eyes, and sighed.

"When I think back on our younger years.. I think of you with a fondness, much the same as I think of your brother. I didn't tell you this because I prefer your brother over you.. I told you because.. I want you to understand why I'm upset. Of course I know we don't live in a world where I can have you both.. It would be horrible, and silly for me to want such a thing..but I'm afraid that this.. Princess is going to treat Liam with unkindness.II wouldn't want anyone to treat either of you that way. I wish that you were both allowed to marry someone who knows you like I do.. someone who cares about you both like I do.  I would be likely telling Liam the same about you if you were in his shoes. I.. am in love with you, Killian.. I just want you to know what I feel deep down in my heart. I don't want any secrets..and I felt that as long as I withheld that truth from you.. i wasn't truly devoting myself to you." As she stared at him, tears welled in her eyes. "I just thought it would be the three of us together forever.. I know it's ridiculous." she lifted a hand and lightly touched his cheek.

"I Love You, Killian Jones.. I'm in love with you. and I don't say that lightly. And i'm certainly attracted to you.. If you need more proof.." Without another word, she lifted on to her tip toes, and she pressed her lips against his in a soft, tender kiss. It was not one of chaste, or of friendship.. but it was the kiss that one was supposed to bestow on their betrothed. She felt more..free now, that she told him her secret. Free to love him.. free to allow him to love her, if he chose to do so.

@hook