"Where are we going tonight, Emlyn?"
"To see an opera."
"Oh, no. Operas are terribly boring. The quiet court would probably be better entertainme-"
"You have never been to an Ayorthaian Opera, or under one, actually."
"Under one?"
"Shush. Just follow me."
Delilah slipped her hand into Emlyn's as they crawled through a grate and down a long, dark passageway. He stopped suddenly and she knocked into him.
"Here." He took her hand and let her feel the ceiling. Her fingers touched the wooden planks and the metal handle to a trapdoor.
"Can I?"
"Not until the it's over. We are directly under the stage."
"How did you find this place?"
"My sister is a ballerina, and she stumbled upon this hidden place."
"What do you suppose they used this passageway for?"
"For runaways to listen to the opera?"
"For ashamed ballerinas to runaway."
"For opera murderers to escape punishment."
"For their punishing nobles to escape boring court sessions."
"That was it."
A clattering of feet resounded above them.
"I think it's starting."
"Wait here and I'll light the torch." Emlyn's jagged features were illuminated by the torchlight as he put a hand to his lips and motioned for her to sit on the bench. His long, tapering fingers grasped the torch as he listened for the Opera to start. Delilah observed him closely. She had snuck out of the court five times with him, each time he took her away to new and interesting places. They had explored the gnome caverns, the elves forest, the giant's farms, and even played in a field with some centaur foals (which reminded her of Apple, her mother's centaur). His grey eyes were filled with excitement as they heard the ballerinas take their positions. His eyes shifted towards her piercing gaze.
Emlyn noticed her look, some of his rich black hair falling into his soft grey eyes.
"What's wrong?"
Delilah stood quickly and avoided his gaze.
"Oh nothing."
Emlyn carefully put the flaming torch in it's bronze holder. The light danced across Delilah soft features as he slowly took her hand and she stood. His lips grazed hers softly as her heart began to beat erratically. She began to slowly unbutton his doublet-
"YOUR HIGHNESS!"
Delilah woke with a start, as all the Ayorthaian nobles stared at her. She felt the warmth creeping up her cheeks.
"Perhaps, by your leave, you could go your the royal chamber and get some rest, Your Highness." The stern General glared at her sternly for falling asleep in court.
Delilah quickly curtsied and left. How could I have fallen asleep!
Aimlessly walking about the corridors, Delilah remembered last night, and how Emlyn had showed her everything in the village. A small smile passed over her face and for a moment she forgot where she was going.
"Ahh!" She shrieked, a bit too late as she fell down a rather steep set of stairs.
"Oh." She sighed, feeling her head, as it was rather bruised and dizzied by the fall. The last thing she heard before she fainted was Emlyn's voice calling out her name-
"Delilah!"