The sound of heels clicking echoed throughout the entrance hall as the crown princess paced with nervous anticipation. Mateo had been away for the past two weeks, attending the royal wizard's conclave in the kingdom of Napurna, and Elena was missing his presence desperately–– so much so that the palace staff had noticed a definite change in her typically buoyant personality–– she was still their kind and caring princess, but a certain spark in her eyes seemed to have gone missing.

Elena paused from her relentless pacing and approached the large, arching window near the front door, placing her hand upon the glass. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply as she leaned her forehead against the cool window, allowing the steady rhythm of the rain tapping against the panes to sooth the impatience coursing deep within the very essence of her soul.

Suddenly, her heart leapt as the faint sound of clip-clopping of horses hooves reached her ears. Eyes flying open, she pressed closer to the glass, trying to get a clear view between the rivulets of water trickling down the window panes the way tears trickle down cheeks.

There it was! The carriage! He was inside!

Beaming with joy, Elena sprinted for the doors, and dashed outside, pausing under the covered top step–– bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement as she watched the carriage approach in what felt like slow motion.

Finally, the carriage stopped at the bottom step, and Elena waited with bated breath as the carriage door swung open and the familiar form of her royal wizard stepped out into the rain.

Their eyes met and he paused–– smiling that gentle smile she adored, eyes shining with love, and betraying the evidence that he had missed her just as much as she had missed him.

Elena couldn't wait another second! She let out an excited squeal and, grinning with laughter, she bolted down the steps and into the rain–– she didn't care that her dress was getting soaked and plastering itself about her legs, or that strands of hair were hanging limply around her face, sticking themselves to her cheeks and against her neck.

Half laughing, half crying, she flung herself into his arms which he fervently wrapped around her waist, pulling her close in a desperate embrace. Her arms snaked around his neck and her fingers tangled themselves in his rain drenched hair. Like two magnets drawn to one another, their lips eagerly met in a soft, lingering kiss. They were two halves of a whole finally reunited.

Elena smiled against his lips as she noticed that they tasted of citrus. Inhaling deeply, she could smell the familiar cedar and raindrop scent upon his skin.

Pulling back, she stared into those hazel green eyes she had missed so much and he stared back, reminding her of a drowning man taking a breath of fresh air–– as if her very presence was life to him.

Standing together in the rain, time seemed to stand still as Elena smiled softly at that dear face she knew so well, and whispered, "Welcome home, mi querido.