14 Research 2 (1/2)

'What question was that?'

'If I truly wanted to leave you and continue life alone in the forest.'

'And?'

'I still prefer the forest to the castle or the summer home...'

James hung his head, waiting for the rejection.

'But...'

He glanced at her, then away again.

'I'm still debating if it's best to be alone...or be with the only friend I have ever made.'

He looked up at her. 'Only...friend?...but the other Adremedians, surely they....'

'No. They are no more friends than servants are to a king.' He watched her smile fade to sadness and she straightened to get more books.

'Lilly.'

'I'll be fine James. I just need some more time to think.'

'Alright.'

James resumed his research and Carthago came in to talk with him. When Lilly brought books, they were both silent and she was quick to grab the books James was finished with and leave again.

”I don't understand your taste in women. I may never,” Carthago said. But if you want her that much, why haven't you asked her to stay?”

”I have asked,” James replied. ”She's still thinking about it.”

”If she has to think about it then she already has her answer, and I highly doubt it's good.”

”There are a lot of factors for her to consider, Carthago.”

”Factors or not. If she feels the way you feel about her. She has her answer. Now go get it.”

James cast his brother an annoyed look as he sighed. Then he got up from the table to go find Lilly. She was sitting curled in the far corner.

'…mine ever can be,' he heard her say.

'What's that, beautiful?' James asked, startling her a bit.

'I've decided...' She looked away.

'Decided what?'

'That perhaps life would be better if... we stayed together.' Lilly watched him smile before he pulled her close. Lilly wrapped her arms around him. He held her for a long time, before he moved to kiss her. Her hand came up to stop him, but he grabbed it and held it. So at the last second, she turned so his lips made contact with her grooved cheek.

'Why did you move?' James asked.

'I don't want this to end a few hours from now, James. I...' Lilly couldn't finish and she curled herself as tightly as she could into the corner and wept.

James still found it surprising that she could cry without making any noise. Then he remembered her first conditions because of her poisoned lips. '...nothing more than embraces.' Here she was willing to stay and he nearly ended it all. Slowly he managed to worm his hands between her and the wall and pull her out of the corner completely so he could hold her close.

'I'm sorry Lilly. I don't want this to end either.… I love you.'

She turned into him, still crying, digging her fingers into his shirt. 'I love you, too.'

Carthago stepped out from between the shelves. ”What's taking so long, James?” he asked, failing to see James cover Lilly's ears—one under his hand, the other pressed against his chest.

Lilly took James' hand away then touched his cheek with a nod. He let her go and she walked away.

”What's that about?” Carthago asked.

”She just needs a moment to herself.”

”So?”