Scars
Alannah lies in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her husband is due to return from patrol any moment, and she is looking forward to his silken caress. She sighs, running her hand down her chest, then stops when she reaches her side. She frowns, running her fingers slowly over the scar caused by the teeth of the Boojum. It's been two years since they faced and defeated that monster, she thinks with some surprise. But the scar will always be there, a grim reminder of how close to death and destruction her home and family came. She climbs out of bed, walking towards a mirror hanging on a nearby wall, and silently examines her body in the moonlight, noticing that faint scars from her kidnappings are still visible. She stares at her wrists. The small scars from ropes and chain cuffs are still visible if she looks closely. She flips her hands over, shutting her eyes as memories rise up. She shudders, nearly overwhelmed, and suddenly her husband is there, wrapping his arms around her. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't need to. Stayne understands her, understands the pain and shame she sometimes still attaches to her scars. After all, he thinks as he holds his silently sobbing wife, he too has a tale for every scar he sports. He is still surprised sometimes when his wife calls him beautiful. But when she says it, he knows she is not just being kind. She means every word, and it makes him love her all the more.
She has finally finished crying, and he gently leads her over to their bed, lying next to her and gently kissing her.
"You are beautiful," he says gently, and she smiles.
"So are you," she answers, and he pulls her close, kissing her.
He knows that there are those at Court who cannot fathom why she fell in love with him, and sometimes he cannot quite understand it either. But, he thinks before she captures his lips in a passionate kiss, some things cannot be understood. They can only be felt.