Her control was far better than his, honed by distant courts and political intrigues he could only imagine from the tales of wandering minstrels and bards. He did not know her well enough to see beyond the beauty of the queen to the mortal woman within, having only what she gave to him - and glad for that much, taking solace in her patient kindness and the simple conversation that meant more to him than he could have known. She was a lofty star to his humble tallow candle, but rather than being cold and distant she gave him warmth and hope.
Dangerous, to become too attached too quickly, and yet he could not look away or break the spell of this golden afternoon, wrapped in the cathedral's song and the lapping of ocean waves upon the strand.
Amber eyes fell to parted lips, but the words that came out brought a flush of uncertainty to his cheeks as he ducked his head shyly at the honor she bestowed. "I... but he... was he one of those that left you, too?" he asked, soft voice stricken as he sought to balance the compliment he barely knew how to accept and the history that had already been revealed. Compared to a lover, but also to one who might have abandoned this graceful queen, Kel found himself caught between pride and chagrin.
He might have said more, focused back upon her children, but her hands claimed his and he glanced up from beneath dark bangs in startled pleasure, the shy smile flashing across his face once more at the gift. "Will you tell me more?" he asked impulsively, wanting to bring the smile back to her face again and chase away the ghosts of past lives and lovers. "More about... about who you are now? Your shop and... and guild? What things you enjoy about this world?"
Dangerous, to become too attached too quickly, and yet he could not look away or break the spell of this golden afternoon, wrapped in the cathedral's song and the lapping of ocean waves upon the strand.
Amber eyes fell to parted lips, but the words that came out brought a flush of uncertainty to his cheeks as he ducked his head shyly at the honor she bestowed. "I... but he... was he one of those that left you, too?" he asked, soft voice stricken as he sought to balance the compliment he barely knew how to accept and the history that had already been revealed. Compared to a lover, but also to one who might have abandoned this graceful queen, Kel found himself caught between pride and chagrin.
He might have said more, focused back upon her children, but her hands claimed his and he glanced up from beneath dark bangs in startled pleasure, the shy smile flashing across his face once more at the gift. "Will you tell me more?" he asked impulsively, wanting to bring the smile back to her face again and chase away the ghosts of past lives and lovers. "More about... about who you are now? Your shop and... and guild? What things you enjoy about this world?"
