**Avery**
As I am walking with Cassius to the huge banquet hall in the palace where the ceremonial dinner will be held, a concern comes to my mind. I stopped and turned to look into his eyes. “Will it hurt to be marked?”
He gently cups my face in his right hand, “A temporary mark carries with it a fleeting pain, but a permanent one only brings ecstasy.” Captivated by his tenderness, I rose to my tiptoes and kissed him. He smiled into it as his free hand pulled me closer. Breathlessly, we pulled away. Looking deeply into my eyes, he said, “Avery, I regret any pain I caused you, or any that you had to endure because of me and my brothers. I vow to you now to never again cause you an ounce of pain.” A tear left my eye because of the feelings that bubbled to the surface. He smiled as he kiss
