20. And I love you even through uncertainty
He had scared her so many times - and increasingly often now - that she was almost beginning to get used to it, each new occasion startling her less each time. The crazy maneuvers, the stretching of resources, the desperate-but-not decisions to pull them out ahead again and again. He was biding his time as always, just in progressively more ingenious ways.
It was all for exacting Judgment upon the Queen.
She tried not to think about it too much, tried not to see how far he was slipping…and how quickly. His unusual silence was starting to greatly disturb her and she feared he was completely unaware of the concerned looks she was throwing at him in between shouting out commands. His eyes were burning, a sign of where his thoughts lay.
She shut her eyes against that reality and renewed her focus on the battle. They weren't even trying but she was in no mood to play with the Guild today. Orders were given to sweep them aside as quickly as possible and disengage. They were not here to indulge the Maestro; they had to make port and the day would only end once they had.
A shout heralded upon their ears: the Guild was pulling out!
She stopped in the midst of issuing another command, mouth slightly agape at the information. It hadn't been ten minutes yet, not even close. Was Maestro toying with them that lightly?
"Let none escape."
Her head whipped around at the spoken order, the underlying malice shocking all of the bridge crew. Snapping herself back into functionality and realizing all action had ceased, she seconded the command, astonishment lacing her voice, watching him from the corner of her eye.
How much of him was left, she wondered; and then again at how she would love him until the end.
She knew she would.