Today was the day Sandre had been waiting for for months. Everything he had ordered had finally arrived or been finished and with a little dealing he was able to get a couple days off. He went into town first to pick up the red dress he had had made for Edana. She said she didnt own one she had said so he had ordered silk dye from Tarabon of a deep rich red and silk Tear that was supposedly the softest you can find. He wasnt dissapointed. Suprisingly the dye was more expensive. The jewelry was a bright gold necklace to compensate for the deep neckline in the dress. It was set with three large deep red rubies that and was a piece that would normally have only been seen in the wardrobe of a queen. The ring was nice, also set with a red ruby, its only difference was that Sandre had made it himself. He knew the dress would fit since he got her measurements from the Seamstress that made most of the female trainees clothes. What the Seamstress he went to couldnt picture in her head Sandre was able to fill in. He didnt know anything about shoes but the Seamstress chose those too. When he saw the dress he with its deep neck line and a slit up the side that went almost to the hip he laughed. Edana would be as red as the dress was when she saw it. However she did lose...

 

He had it delivered to her room and hung up there were all her roommates could see it. That should make her pretty red too. There was an assortment of small things such as ribbons and things for her as well so at least something about it all would be a surprise. He wished he could see her face when she opened the box with the necklace and the note inside.

 

***

 

He had arranged for Guards to take her to the place he had chosen. Everyone there seemed to be a Noble all visiting or living in Tar Valon. Sandre, unfortunately, knew most of them. Kindly he went through the motions of saying hello but kept his eyes open for the arrival of Edana. The place chosen was large enough to to be a Nobles Manor and set with tables, some of which were on balconies and some with screens for privacy though you could request screens anywhere. When he heard her announced he moved towards the door kindly dismissing himself from some Nobles. He made sure his tailed jacket was unwrinkled and waited for her to come through the door.

Edana sighed, rubbing her head with the towel as she made her way back to her room. She'd gone straight to the bath house after training, having felt the grime far too long. She heard a commotion and curiously followed the noise, stopping short outside her own door.

 

She's going to have a fit! someone crowed. She was the only "she" in this room. She pushed the door open, wondering what silly little prank her room mates had pulled this time. Her mouth was open to tell them off...

 

...and kept falling open at the sight that met her eyes. Rich red silk seemed to shimmer in the afternoon light coming in the window. She walked towards it as if in a trance, her calloused fingers brushing the supple fabric in wonder. She blinked, turning to the others. They were grinning rather broadly at her. She eyes shifted back towards the dress, stalling at the box resting on her trunk. Her fingers shook as she reached for it, opening it slowly and stumbling backwards at the glittering jewels that seemed to leap out of the box at her. Her mouth gaped open, shock making her thoughts reel as she read the note inside the box.

 

She turned, sinking on the trunk and blinking a few times. The note was simple and not signed. It didn’t need to be. The simple ”I love you,” told her everything she needed to know. She looked up at the dress and back to the necklace, thanking the Creator that she’d already bathed.

 

~~~~~~~~

It was hard getting out of the Yards with an escort of Guards without too many people noticing. She kept the cloak wrapped snugly around her, though, her face flaming at just the thought of the amount of skin this dress opened to the night. Her heels were impractical, clattering their way to the carriage and then to the door. When a servant pried the cloak from her fingers, she let it go reluctantly.

 

“Name, please?” a man asked her.

 

She stared at him a moment before, “Edana Keller” slipped past her lips. Should she have changed her name?

 

“We’ve been expecting you, miss,” he said, a slight smile at her obvious discomfort on his lips as he turned and opened a door behind him. “Miss Edana Keller,” he announced, stepping out of the way to let her in.

 

She took a deep breath. She’d lost this bet, after all. She’d never made him agree where she wore the dress, only that she did. She felt the slight tickle of hair at her nape, but the Novice who’d giggled while arranging the pile of hair on her head said it was just to tease her beaux. The necklace circled her neck and she fought the urge to put her hands on it nervously. Why did everyone have to look at her? Her eyes searched the crowd, searching for him. If he didn’t save her from this in the next two minutes, she was leaving and his bet be damned!

 

~Edana

Totally out of her element… watch your toes…

 

 

When he saw her he stopped in his tracks and stared. (A perfect memory) he thought. She was beautiful and it occurred to him he should probably go and meet her. He felt slightly uncomfortable that maybe he was under dressed but he smiled at all the attention she was getting. She likely noticed it too. He walked up to her and did not say a word. Only offered his arm which she grabbed onto like a drowning person clinging to a floating barrel. They followed the servant to the table and whispers of "Beautiful" could be heard as they passed. Arriving at the table he pulled a chair out for her and the servant pulled one out for him. Wine was poured and they were finally left alone.

 

"You look beautiful Edana." He said with a smile and a look showed how sincere he was being.

 

Almost as though the peace of being alone was too good to be true a noble and his wife... or mistress approached. The man had a oiled beard trimmed to a neat point and the woman had hair that looked like a giant honey comb. "Master Kaldun you never told me you had a betrothed. Or one of such beauty." The man bent down to kiss Edana's gloved hand "Highlord Simeon of Tear madam and long time associate of Sandre." Sandre did not approve of the way he looked at her and one look at the wife who had a little more sense than to bother a Tower Guard and a jealous streak to boot pulled her husband away. Sandre had to stop himself from laughing.

 

"Well Edana it seems you fit right in. That man is convinced your a noble... Tear Lords do not touch anyone but other nobles unless they are being dressed or killing someone and even then there is distaste on their face."

 

He set a cloth across his lap and sipped the wine while the the servant listed off the items they had for the night.

 

When they both ordered he reached across the table and took her hand.

 

"You are doing fine my love." He gave her hand a squeeze and met her eyes as he said it.

Edana blushed... a lot. She hung on to Sandre's arm and approached the situation much as she would a battle. The enemy ever sees you look away and you're done for. This was probably not any different. Very few of the women she passed were smiling, so she didn't, either. It would've taken too much concentration, anyway. Concentration was what she needed to make sure she didn't twist her ankles in these shoes!

 

She let Sandre pull her chair out, settling into it as gracefully as she could manage with this slit in her skirt. The slit would make it easier to run, should she need to, but she felt horribly naked without her sword belt. She met Sandre's eyes across the table, appreciation glimmering in their depths. "You look beautiful Edana," he said, and she bit hard on her lip to keep from letting something horrible come out. She did blush, though. That, apparently, wasn't going to stop any time soon.

 

She almost jumped when a voice erupted behind her. "Master Kaldun you never told me you had a betrothed. Or one of such beauty. Highlord Simeon of Tear madam and long time associate of Sandre." Edana's eyes widened as his title sunk in. HIGH LORD? And he was kissing HER hand? The woman with him pulled him away, but Edana's eyes were fastened on her gloved hand.

 

"Well Edana it seems you fit right in. That man is convinced your a noble... Tear Lords do not touch anyone but other nobles unless they are being dressed killing someone and even then there is distaste on their face." She looked up at Sandre, who looked rather pleased. She watched him drop his napkin in his lap and fumbled for her own. She didn't even hear the servant listing food, probably wouldn't have made any sense out of it, anyway. She just nodded when she heard something she recognized, (Duck was duck, right?) and the servant wandered away.

 

"You are doing fine my love." Their fingers were entwined on the tabletop and she blinked. Light, I've got to get it together! she screamed at herself.

 

"I'm sure if I open my mouth, they'll figure me out," she whispered, leaning forward. "It's a long way back to the door, Sandre," she said, eyeing the distance meaningfully. "I'm not sure if I can make it out without more than the short daggar holding my hair up. When you said you'd take me out and make me wear a dress, I thought a tavern for dinner. I wasn't thinking..." she gestured around them. "...this! Do you realize that man was a HIGH LORD?" She hissed, jerking her thumb over her shoulder. "Light save us, I'm a soldier, not a lady!"

 

~Edana

starting to panic...

 

~Edana

 

"I'm sure if I open my mouth, they'll figure me out," she whispered, leaning forward. "It's a long way back to the door, Sandre," she said, eyeing the distance meaningfully. "I'm not sure if I can make it out without more than the short daggar holding my hair up. When you said you'd take me out and make me wear a dress, I thought a tavern for dinner. I wasn't thinking..." she gestured around them. "...this! Do you realize that man was a HIGH LORD?" She hissed, jerking her thumb over her shoulder. "Light save us, I'm a soldier, not a lady!"

 

Sandre looked at her with his hands folded under his chin, his elbows on the table and a smile on his face. "I think your voice would seal the deal. There is no need to run here. In some countries the dress and jewelery you are wearing alone would be enough to make you a noble. The ring may not since I made that myself and it wouldnt hold up to a nobles scrutiny." She looked at the ring with a new respect. In all this which was new to her he had made it a point to give her something simple and from him.

 

Music started playing and he rose. "I made sure the toes were extra padded for you." He took her hand but thought he would have to pull her out of the chair until she got up. Everyone was setting up and she looked nervous as as a trainee after meeting Thera.

 

She wasnt bad when it started. When the step allowed him to pull her close he whispered to her "Relax" and ran his hand down her side with the pressure just so so she wouldnt be thinking about the people looking at her. He kept up the light touches, and his breath on her neck and the looks he gave her before he often kissed her and it seemed to do the trick. By the end of the song she had the steps right and fell right in place for the second. He was very proud of her and told her so before the second song began for a slower and closer dance.

Edana looked down at the ring on her finger, unable to stop the smile from lifting the corner of her lips. He made it? For her? He stood up and her eyes lifted to him. His hand was in hers, trying to pull her to her feet.

 

She shook her head, “I don’t know how,” she whispered. He didn’t seem to hear that, though, and continued pulling. She sighed and reluctantly stood up. He’d probably keep pulling until he was dragging her across the floor, anyway. At least this way, it was only his own toes that would bleed for his efforts.

 

She fumbled the first steps, trying to look around his shoulders to see everyone else and follow them. She chewed her lip, her brows knitting together as she watched their movements. Relax, Sandre’s voice soothed, and her eyes moved back to his.  What kind of idiot was she? She’d never worn a dress before, much less shoes like these. She’d never seen so much glittering richness. She’d never been the object of one person’s attention this way. She’d never felt feminine before. The fact that he made her feel very feminine set off bells in her head. If she was smart, she’d be heading out the door about now.

 

Her eyes caught the ring, though. Sure, it was frivolous in a life that had been anything but. Sure, she’d probably never be able to wear it again. Sure, it had no place in a Tower Guard’s life, which is what she’d likely be for the rest of her life, if the silliness she’d seen in the Accepted and Novices around the Tower were any indication. But he’d made it for her and her alone. He’d dressed her up, shown her off… he wasn’t hiding her from his reality. In fact, he was immersing her in it. With all of her imperfections, a few scars showing, her awkwardness… he was still smiling at her.

 

She let go, then. She’d enjoy this as long as it lasted. Morning would bring reality, she could be what he wanted for a night. How hard could it be?

 

She stepped on his foot and saw the pain he fought to keep off his face. Her lips quirked, apparently, it could be rather painful. When the music changed, she looked around, hoping he’d let them sit down again. He drew her closer, instead and she knew he’d feel her heart thumping in her chest, as close to him as she was pressed. One of her hands was curled into his, the other on his shoulder. She let it all go, knowing she stepped on his toes, knowing people were watching, and knowing that there wasn’t anywhere in the world she’d rather be than right here pretending to be something she wasn’t cut out to be. If only to make him happy…

 

~Edana

 

Well ok he was going to have to see a Yellow about his toe... Thank goodness the flame and the void could be applied to pain in your toe too. He didnt really need it though seeing her relax finally brought some rhythm  to her. Now that she finally relaxed. To help her out he began giving her a list of stances and the stance to flow into one after another. Finally that was something that clicked a bit for her. When it finished the light sheen of sweat on both of them only made her more beautiful. She went through the third song with a list of stances given by him and movements as smooth as ever. At least he found a way to teach her that she could relate to. When it finished he pulled her close and whispered to her "Nobles came from warriors Love... so naturally their dances had to too."

 

He looked over to see a train of servants bringing out dishes. "We can do more after we eat if you like." The food smelled good though you could barely see his chicken beneath all the peppers and peppercorns. "Well.. this is the life I was born to... thank the light I dont have to do this every day huh? Though seeing you dressed like that certainly made this night worth it."

 

He wondered how she would get the duck off the bone. She could use a fork and knife like was expected or just pick it up and eat it like the High lord and his wife. However if she didnt know how to carve that duck then he would have to redouble her knife training on the yards. Looking around at some of the nobles who looked at her not only in lust but also her style of eating may give them some hint as to where she was from... Daes Damar.. had to hate it. He hoped she went for the fork and knife. If they saw her use that they would see she was beautiful and deadly and would look away in fear.

 

"Are you enjoying yourself Love? We can leave early or right after dinner if you wish?"

"Nobles came from warriors Love... so naturally their dances had to too." Edana smiled at that, trying to imagine the High Lord fawning over her skirts doing anything but... well, things that had little to do with combat. She blushed again and was glad when he lead her off to the table. She eyed the duck as she sat down, her eyes looking to either side to find out what everyone else used to eat the thing. She watched the High Lord gnaw on it and shook her head, picking up her knife and fork. She may not be a lady, but she had been taught how to eat properly! Her eyes lifted and she caught a glint of appreciation in Sandre's eyes. She wrinkled her brow, making a note in her head to ask him about that, later. What else was there to use?

 

"Are you enjoying yourself Love? We can leave early or right after dinner if you wish?" he offered. Did he sense her discomfort? She'd tried not being so obvious about it. Or perhaps his feet ached?

 

"I am at your disposal, Sandre," she said, smiling across the table. "I'm in no hurry to return to the Yards." That was the truth, too! Within sight of the Tower, they'd have to part ways. She wasn't a Tower Guard, yet, and their relationship was strictly forbidden. As long as they were here, however, there was no chance of being caught. "We can stay until sunup, if that's what you'd like to do..."

"We can stay until sunup, if that's what you'd like to do..."

 

Sandre smiled. "Its a shame... you wont be able to fulfill the second part of our arrangement..." Her look at him told him he had her hooked. "Of course we could do it when your a Tower Guard but that wasnt the deal and you would have to wear the dress again..." She was waiting for it and he was dragging it out. "Then again I know one thing you could do when you are a Tower Guard..." He said as he leaned over and whispered words in her ears that made her blush redder than her dress.

 

He took a few more bites before speaking again "Its a heck of a wait isnt it? Another year before you will be raised to a Tower Guard. They could send me off at any time... when I got back. Would you still want me?"

"Its a heck of a wait isnt it? Another year before you will be raised to a Tower Guard. They could send me off at any time... when I got back. Would you still want me?" Edana's blush turned to a frown. She hadn't considered that he wouldn't be here for her to see every day. If he was sent away, it would be with an Aes Sedai to guard. Her frown changed again, but she quickly got control of that expression. Jealousy was an ugly thing, after all.

 

"You think you are so easy to replace, Sandre?" She shook her head and smiled. "Of course I would still want you. The question should be that if the Aes Sedai you're watching offers to bond you... would you take it?" Her eyes were wide, waiting for his answer. She tried to imagine having this relationship with a man who was bonded and simply couldn't. She almost dreaded the answer, but couldn't look away until she had it. "It's what you came here for, after all. If she offered you everything you wanted, would you take it?"

 

~Edana

(Shes concerned I will be bonded... I dont blame her. I wouldnt want to share her either.) Giving her the look he would usually do before kissing her. "I already have everything I want Edana. I wont bond unless you do and only to the same Aes Sedai... because.... well...this world of mine will be hard enough to get used to. I dont want to make it worse on you and if we make it to Tower Guards and can stand sharing a room then... well... I will be yours forever should you desire that of me."

 

It wasnt a proposal... it was a promise that he was not wasting her time more like it. It was another head ache he was offering her. He couldnt even bring his head up to look at her instead studying his food as though he expected his chicken to come alive and start moving again. He was not good at this sort of situation but it probably amused her to see him at her mercy like this.

"I already have everything I want Edana. Her smile broke, but he ducked his head before he could see it. Warmth and emotions she didn't dare put names to flooded her thoughts. "I wont bond unless you do and only to the same Aes Sedai... because.... well...this world of mine will be hard enough to get used to. I dont want to make it worse on you and if we make it to Tower Guards and can stand sharing a room then... well... I will be yours forever should you desire that of me."

 

Edana watched him soundlessly, shock thudding in her veins as she realized what he was saying. Sharing a room? Hers forever? WAIT! Worse on her? She wrinkled her brow. "Worse on me? If that's the reason you won't bond anyone..." She shook her head. "Sandre, I'm not looking to change anyone's life. I'm only fit to live mine..." She wasn't saying this right. Light, how did she tell him she'd love to spend every waking moment with him and not put more pressure on him at the same time!?! She wasn't reason enough to throw anyone's dreams out, least of all a man she was scared to death she was in love with. "I couldn't live with myself if I thought you'd miss out on what you came here to do."

 

~Edana

confused

"I didnt plan on bonding anyways Edana." He made a pretense of examining the quality of the knife the restaurant provided. Though he knew it was of good quality. "I wont bond unless you do because I cant stand being parted from you... so... you would be the reason I bond not the reason I dont." Maybe it was too fast. It had been almost a year but still... How was he suppose to tell her all the changes that had come over him. How he considered her in long term choices he had to make, how he took a cooking class because he thought she might like something he made, how he had carried that ring around for a week and pulled out to look at it and how it made him smile knowing she would eventually wear it, if even only for a night.

 

"We have time... no need to worry about any of that now." He looked up with his smile returned. Though looking at her in that dress just getting out what he said had shaken his nerve. She loved him sure but... how far would she go for that love? Would she one day tell him she wanted to be his forever or would this be it?

 

"Dessert love?"

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess and she scrambled for an answer, knowing she was sitting, open-mouthed, while he bared a little part of his soul. When he offered to table the discussion, she leapt on it. She wasn't even much of a dessert eater. "Dessert love?"

 

She smiled, seeing the person who'd taken their dinner order make their way back to them. "I wouldn't know where to start with dessert. It was hardly on the list of things a grown man thinks of when he's suddenly raising all of his siblings, so I haven't had much experience with it." She chewed her lip. "Will you tell me what's good?"

 

~Edana

When she asked what was good it took him a moment to think of that himself. He had not bothered with too many desserts himself. He turned to the servant "Surprise us." he said to the servant.

 

"I am thinking of camping again here pretty soon... let me know what your days off are and I will work around it."

 

He felt uncomfortable he had said so much but kept his smile for her sake. A camping trip wouldnt have been bad either.

 

OOC sorry its so short. I think we should rush Dessert and do the walk back to the yards to end it

Edana watched the servant disappear, then turned her eyes back to Sandre.

 

"I am thinking of camping again here pretty soon... let me know what your days off are and I will work around it."

 

She wrinkled her brow at his smile. "How long will you be gone?" She asked softly. She'd gotten used to him being around. Even in the Guard tower, she could see him while he was on duty. A glimpse here, a smile there. Then her mind completely stalled. Camping... with Sandre... her imagination detoured for a minute and only the arrival of a steaming tart of berries and cream drew her mind back into the present.

 

She blushed and picked up her fork, though she only idly fiddled with the crust of the tart. "I have training most every day, but there's hope I'll be promoted soon..." She smiled and shrugged. She didn't hold out much hope about the "soon" part. "I usually have a break about mid-week, though. Once the guards have time on their hands, training is usually doubled in the Yards, you know that."

 

She took a bite of her dessert and smiled at him, nodding appreciatively. "You should try it, it's lovely."

 

~Edana

Sandre raised his brow wondering if she meant he should try taking a break or the dessert. He too was waiting on her promotion eagerly. A chance to be together again. Taking a bite of the berries and cream he looked at her appreciatively and said "Ive had sweeter."

 

Looking down at the dessert he let out a sigh. The dessert meant that he would have to let her go back to the barracks soon, and he would have to go back to pretending there was nothing between them. When the final dance was called and only a single candle on each table lit the room he took her out the floor. It was slow and he held her in his arms as they swayed gently. He was happy at the moment just holding her and inhaling her scent.

 

(This cant end like this.) he thought, knowing he would be heart broken to end their night on such a solemn note. "Will you walk with me tonight?" He whispered. He didnt know where they would go this late. It didnt really matter. He traced his fingers down her back and felt her nod her head on his shoulder. He felt her heart beating fast and realized his was too. When the song ended he looked at her in the candlelight it reminded him of their nights at their camp site by the fire. Nothing else on the world could capture his breath like this woman. He couldnt have created a better or more beautiful woman in his dreams. She was also good for taking him down a notch when he needed it and her lightest touch had calmed him when his temper raging.

 

His fingers caressed her cheek just once before they turned towards the door.

Edana sighed, lingering over dessert. She was dressed like a woman, sitting across from a man who made her heart do strange things. For the first time in a while, she didn't want the night to end. The shoes were pinching her toes and she still felt naked without a blade on her hip, but if he kept smiling at her like that, perhaps she could forget those things.

 

The band called for the last dance and she shivered as his hand reached for hers, drawing her to her feet and back onto the floor. She let him pull her into his arms and felt good, nestled against him as he moved. She could hear his heartbeat under her ear and smiled, knowing the beat was as erratic as her own. The combination of self-assurance and hesitancy, that tiny little hint that he wasn't as sure of himself as he pretended, made her heart ache.

 

"Will you walk with me tonight?" she heard him whisper. She smiled, but didn't look up, just nodding her head against his shoulder. She wasn't sure she could speak, not past the lump forming in her throat.

 

When the song ended, he lead her towards the door, pausing to get their cloaks before stepping out into the evening air. She smiled as they walked along the desserted roads. "I had a good time," she said softly, reaching for his hand in the moonlight. "I'm glad you asked me to come with you."

 

~Edana

Sandre smiled at the mention that Edana has enjoyed herself. He had been worried about that since it wasnt exactly the most comfortable situation for someone who had not been in it before. Seeing how they were starting to open up he decided to let her know. "I was worried you wouldnt enjoy yourself." he said. He had never before admitted that she was ever a concern on his mind so he waited quietly for her to take it in.

 

There was no breeze at this time and the only sound was his foot steps and the river nearby. He felt her eyes on him. Did she know how worried he was she didnt want to be a part of his world? He slowed when he saw the full moons image on the river. He squeezed her hand tightly.

 

 

"I was worried you wouldn't enjoy yourself," his voice was soft, as if he wasn't sure about admitting that. She looked at him, tilting her head to the side.

 

"To be honest, when I saw this dress, I thought I wouldn't enjoy myself. When that blathering Novice sat, giggling as she twisted my hair out by the roots, I nearly sent the guards to tell you I wasn't coming." She smiled at him. "Then I reminded myself that I lost the bet."

 

She shook her head, pausing to look at the beauty of the city, the moonlight and the water. "I'm still not sure about the shoes," she said, laughter in her voice. She bent down and picked them off, choosing to walk barefoot. "I don't think my toes will forgive me for a long time for this little trespass."

 

She grinned, dangling the shoes from her fingertips. "Am I making you uncomfortable, Sandre? You're terribly quiet..."

 

~Edana

"No." He answered softly. He went behind her and wrapped his arms around her and held her close as they gazed over the river. "I dont know what to say to you sometimes... sometimes Im afraid I will say too much and scare you away and sometimes too little and you wont feel as loved as you deserve to feel."

 

He paused for a moment and sighed before he continued. "Do you ever feel that way?" There was a lot of hope in his voice that he failed miserably to hide. He hoped she felt the same way because it would mean that she was just as crazy about him as he was her.

 

"Maybe Im just acting the fool... I have heard that men do that when they're... when they're in love."

 

Hopefully if his blunder of not controlling would scare her off maybe that last line would recover for him. He was nervous now though. Waiting on her next words.

Edana shivered, feeling his breath on her neck. His words caressed her thoughts and she smiled, glad of the darkness. Only in the dark could her blush of pleasure be hidden and not give her away. "Maybe Im just acting the fool... I have heard that men do that when they're... when they're in love."

 

His breath was held in his chest and she wondered if he even realized he was holding it. She smiled, though she wasn't sure what to say. She wasn't sure whether she loved him or not, but she knew she didn't want to think about living in this place without him. Was that love? "I've heard men so silly things all the time, whether they're in love or not," she answered, turning in his arms and tilting her head up to look at him. "It's nice to know you feel that way, too," she murmured, smiling at the moonlight dancing on his face. "I was afraid you'd think less of me for this weakness I'm getting for you..."

 

~Edana

"What weakness?" he said as he caressed her face. "I have watched you grow stronger every day and been happy that I get to be a part of that." Staring at the river and remembering that first meeting. Seeing a dagger fly into a tree nearby while he was bathing and singing... badly. On the very same river if not at a much farther location. He looked up over Edana at its flowing waters and his eyes took on the look of being somewhere else.

 

"My father once told me he knew my mother was the one when he said they had a argument and they didnt talk for three days... he said by the end of the third day he realized that he couldnt live without her. He bought her a ring and their parents arranged it that day."

 

He looked down with a huge smile on his face. "He highly approves of you by the way. He said he and  your father had talked of this when we were both really young..."

 

He wondered for a moment what that would have been like. Would she feel the same? He kind of doubted it if the choice was taken from her, even if she would have chose him. He didnt ask if the two of them had met before. He made a mental note to do so. However he had met her brothers though that was not something he wanted to bring up.

 

"My father once told me he knew my mother was the one when he said they had a argument and they didnt talk for three days... he said by the end of the third day he realized that he couldnt live without her. He bought her a ring and their parents arranged it that day." He paused a moment, as if thinking of something else. "He highly approves of you by the way. He said he and  your father had talked of this when we were both really young..."

 

Edana looked up at him, blushing slightly. "How does he know about me?" He spoke with his family about her? Her blush deepened. She remembered him saying his family made swords like the one she usually wore on her hip. Were their fathers close enough to actually talk about these things? She paused, focusing on what he'd said before. "Did you feel that way, Sandre? Those long months we were so angry with each other?" When you sent me to the infirmary with the cold blooded hatred... she was glad she didn't say it, especially when a little shudder moved through her.

 

Another thought struck her as she waited for him to answer. Their fathers had talked... of this?

 

~Edana

(She has me on the spot.) he ran his hands through his hair and looked away. "No... I didnt want to live at all."

 

His honesty would likely kill the mood. "I spoke to him about you after I had come to terms that I was being childish before I came here and treated them all badly. Dante was too young to remember but I hurt my parents bad. I wrote him while I was recovering from this." he said as he traced his hand along the scar on his rib cage, the very same she had sewed up. The one that almost killed him. "When he found out who you were he was thrilled. Kalduns have always chose their mates by ability rather than nobility. Captain Keller had a lot of both if not by noble by birth. Since they were friends..." he shrugged. "It seemed only natural."

 

He tilted her chin up to look him in the eyes. "Face it... one way or another your stuck with me. We even ran away from it but where one went the other followed. I dont bend easy but if there is something you want badly enough the little "trick" I whispered to you since we cant fulfill the second part of the bet should do. You will just have to sit there and wait until I agree."

 

If that didnt get her to blush the kiss he planted on her after sure did...