Part 19

Liz walked in the garden the next morning and found Max sitting by the pound. She took a deep breath and walked over to him.

"May I join you?" She asked softly

Max turned to look at her and nodded not trusting his voice. Liz sat down a couple feet away from him.

"My sister is right." Said Liz

"Right about what?"

"I am scared about what I have started to feel since meeting you."

"What do you feel?"

"I am not sure. These feelings are very new to me."

"Liz, I never felt like I do when I am near you either."

"What about Lady Tessa?"

"Please that high pitched voice of her's? That she is far more annoying than an Earth house fly."

"Not to mention she is a bitch." Liz mumbled under her breath

"There is that too." Said Max

Liz blushed not realizing he had heard her.

"Forgive me for the comment. I shouldn't have said that."

"There is nothing to forgive. You only spoke what you feel is true. Liz, I like when you speak your mind. People like Tessa never do to me. They only say what they think I want to hear. Not what they are really thinking."

"My parents taught me to respect those in higher places then me."

"That is a good thing. But there are some that do not deserve that respect. Tessa is one of them. She is of the mind to treat you poorly. She was taught to believe that humans should still be nothing more than slaves."

"She made it clear that she believes that I am nothing more then a street rat slut."

"Liz, I never want you to refer to yourself that way. Not even repeating what another may have said. You are not a slut. And if you are a street rat then you are the most beautiful one I have ever seen."

Liz blushed at what he said. She had to admit that he was very kind and sweet. Unlike a lot of men she had met on the street he had not even tried to touch her. With a shaky hand she reached over and placed it on his arm. Max looked at her wondering what was going on.

"Tell me my prince what are your honest feelings for me?" Asked Liz

"I think that I am falling hopelessly more in love with you each day. That as I learn more and more about you, that you are more beautiful on the inside then on the outside."

Liz had no idea how to response to what he had just said. No one had ever talked to her like that before. It had not been easy for her to keep her virtue during her time on the streets. She was nearly raped more then once.

"Liz did I say something that upset you? If I did I am truly sorry."

"No Max. I was just thinking that no man has ever treated me like you. Well other than my father."

"Liz, you know that I will never force you to do anything your aren't ready for."

"I understand that I will keep my innocence until we marry. I know you have chosen me as your wife. I can either agree to go through with this willingly or your mother as my guardian will make the choice for me. But I fear that either Harding or Kivar will ask for both the loyalty and virtue tests."

"Yes. But only a medical exam will prove the virtue."

"But, I can take the blood oath before the request is made. If I take it and have no loyalty to your family the granalith will strike me down before the oath is complete."

"Yes. It also bonds you to the granalith should you at anytime after taking the oath betray us then you will also be strikes down."

"Yes I know. Set it up for me?"

"You are sure about this?"

"Yes. Max, I could never be anything but loyal your family."

"I will talk to my father about it."

"Thank you."

"I will go and see him now."

Liz nodded as Max got up and walked away. Liz watched him go knowing that he had already broken the wall down around her heart.