-Rathilion-
I had to nearly lose her to finally realize it, didn’t I? Ashes had pointed it out to me, and now I understood why Sarya and Lorsan had looked at me with such knowing smiles. They saw what I couldn’t.
“W-What?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I drew in a deep breath, hoping I hadn’t frightened her away. We had agreed that my feelings wouldn’t change, but perhaps she had refrained from allowing herself to feel anything for me, viewing me solely as a friend.
“I love you,” I declared once more.
“Are you sure?” she asked, taking a step back.
Her question elicited a smile from me. She never ceased to surprise me.
“Do you not want me to love you?”
“No, I do!” she exclaimed, her words warming my heart. “I just... you said...”
“I didn’t think I could fall in love with
