Her heart pounded heavily and her breath faltered as she waited for him to speak. She suddenly wanted to know so very much, it was almost as though her life depended on it. She stared up into his eyes, into the depths she could never learn to read.
All the while, Alder thought deeply. He considered all possibilities, considered everything he had ever felt for her, and he rubbed his temple wearily as he found himself once again unable to express his emotions.
“I’ve loved you from the very beginning”. He replied at last.
But she shook her head. She knew he loved her; Nerissa, Octavia and Lorelei loved her too. But that wasn’t what she meant.
“That’s not what I meant”. She said quietly.
He nodded.
“I know”. He said.
He once again caressed her cheek.
“You see, Aria, I have loved you i
