"There are so many things I'm unsure of." Alice said, her voice heavy with emotion. "I don't want to make any rash decisions."
Mirana, The White Queen, looked into the face of her champion and smiled. The two had been conversing in her private chamber, catching up as old friends might do. Alice had only arrived last night, with no explanation at all as to how or why she had come back.
"You have returned to us, that is a decision already made is it not?"
Alice nodded mutely, her hands behind her back as she stood a little straighter. Already she seemed so different from when Mirana first met her. She had only been gone a year, and yet how womanly she had become. Mirana supposed it came from the healthy country air of Alice's world. She noted how Alice's eyes shined with an inner fire now, at odds with the powder blue jacket about her shoulders.
"You have grown."
"No I haven't. I'm hardly any taller than I was last year."
Mirana smiled again, her mysterious smile was one that melted the hearts of all who saw it. "I mean you have grown to have a womans heart. Perhaps it was from your adventures here?"
"I suppose." Alice looked away, and then turned her gaze intently back to the White Queen, "But then, I haven't even had my first kiss yet."
Mirana paused, her hands held up near her shoulders in that unique habit of hers. Then she lowered them to Alice's face, stroked her hair, and tenderly traced a path down her jawline.
"Sweet Alice..." Mirana whispered. She then bent her head toward the bewitching girl with the tangled blonde tresses. As their lips met, she felt the girl sigh and lean into her, savoring the feel of her touch.
As Alice's arms wrapped around Mirana, the White Queen surrendered herself completely for the first time in her life.
It seemed an eternity that they stood there together, but when they broke apart Alice was surprised to find Mirana trembling.
"What's wrong?" She asked, peering concernedly into Mirana's face.
"It's nothing." Mirana murmured, "Only, I feel as though that had been my first kiss as well."
Alice said nothing at that. However, she took Mirana's hand tenderly and pressed the heated palm to her cheek.
"I've missed you, Mirana."
