Simple Words
Karay was up and about early, as she normally was. Mathilde was in the kitchen, making breakfast, and Garath was at work as well.
Karay walked out into the Comte's garden, enjoying the light breeze. She went into the gazebo, sliding her hand softly around the railing. She paused, closing her eyes and letting the soft wind blow a tendril of dark hair across her pretty face.
A hand touched hers. Karay turned sharply, seeing a handsome young man, powerfully built and very kind looking, looking down softly at her. Karay's lips turned up in a smile as she spoke, "Good morning, Adamo."
Adamo smiled at the girl, speaking in his slow, halting voice, "It is…a good…morning. The garden…looks very pretty."
If one didn't know Adamo, they would have thought him simple or mentally retarded. But after being held captive by the Razan for so long, trapped in the hide of a bear, he had lost most of his speech. But he was gaining it back. And he was happy now, back with his friends and his uncle…and with Karay.
Karay looked out over the garden, smiling, "Aye, it's very beautiful. Just look at the flowers! I've never seen…" she trailed off.
Adamo had slowly pressed his hand against her cheek, softly turning her face to his. He smiled down tenderly at her, "You look far…more beautiful, Karay."
Karay never looked away, but she blushed and her dark eyes went soft. She put her hand over Adamo's large, powerful hand, "Thank you, Adamo…"
Adamo looked as if he was searching for words to say. Then he began slowly, "Karay…I want…to always be…with you. Would you…would you let me…always be with you?"
Karay gripped his hand, tears beginning in her beautiful eyes. She nodded twice, mouthing a soft, "Yes."
Adamo beamed with happiness. He looked uncertain for a moment, then softly bent, wrapped his arm about the girl's waist, and kissed her. He had never kissed a girl before. And it was such an innocent, almost childish kiss, but filled with the love he felt for Karay.
Karay answered back, her heart soaring. She had known that she had loved Adamo from the moment she saw him…from the moment she had removed that awful bear's hide. And now she knew he loved her!
Adamo continued to kiss Karay, stroking her long hair. He then pulled away, sniffing slightly as tears of happiness brimmed in his dark, honest eyes.
"Karay? I love…you…"
Karay took his hand in hers again as she smiled up at him, joy in her eyes, "I love you, Adamo…oh, you'll never know how much I love you!"
Adamo grinned, saying childishly, "You…can't love me…more than I love you…Karay."
Karay laughed, taking his face between her hands and saying, "I accept that challenge." Their lips touched again.
A young boy with clouded blue eyes sat in the shade of a tree, hidden from the view of the other two. He watched them, a smile spreading across his features. He flicked his unruly tow-colored hair from his face, sighing. A black Labrador was sitting near him. It looked at him, and he looked back.
"So who won?" came a thought from the dog to the boy.
Ben, the boy, looked back at Ned, his dog, "Won what?"
"You know…the wager we made a few days ago? I said they would finally up and tell one another within a week, and you didn't think so."
Ben sighed, sending a thought back to his dog, "Fine, you win…now hush, and let me watch."
The dog stood up, taking hold of the boy's pant leg with his teeth, tugging and sending a thought, "Oh no, you don't! Time for us to leave! Dreadful boy…peeping on two people having a kissing contest. I think Karay's winning. Poor Adamo. I do believe his ears are about to fall off! Look how red they are!"
The boy and the dog left the garden, leaving Karay and Adamo together. Ben looked down at Ned, communicating, "I'm glad the angel let us stay long enough to see that…"
Ned yawned slightly, answering back, "Aye…now can we go back to bed?"