I was pain.
I was power.
I am light.
I am lost.
"Adelina," a soft voice whispers to me. I open my eyes to see, once more, Magiano.
He is older.
I am not.
"Magiano," I whisper back. "How goes your thieving?"
A smile breaks out on his face. "Very well," he says laughingly, drawing closer. He brushes a kiss across my lips before offering me a hand.
I do not take it.
Confusion covers his face.
"I love you," I tell him.
Fear replaces confusion. "Don't say that as if you're leaving."
"I am not."
It is not a lie.
I have already left.
"Then I love you too," he teases, holding me close. Then he draws away. "So, mi Adelinetta," he says cheerfully, picking up his lute, "Where shall we go tonight?"
I think about it.
"How is Violetta?"
He smiles. "She is doing well."
"We should not disturb her."
"She would welcome such a thing," he says, studying me. He smiles gently.
I sigh.
He laughs at my poor mimicry of exasperation.
So I take his once-more outstretched hand and mount his horse, feeling him settle in behind me. "Let's go to the ocean," I decide. "I would like to see the baliras."
His laughs rings out, joyful. "If that is what you wish," he says.
I settle back against him.
And close my eyes.
I am tired.
But for him, I will always wake.