Colette sat on the edge of a dock, feet barely touching the moonlit water as she thought about the events of the last few months. Her battle plans, the ones she had worked on for what seemed like an eternity, were finally coming into play. She blushed slightly. It was at the insistence of Prince Maric that they were going along so smoothly. Loghain seemed to approve of her methods, but he also seemed to loathe her, and as such he was slow to implement her strategies. She hurled a rock into the lake. People were dying, now was not the time for petty, jealous hatred. She saw how Loghain and Rowan looked at each other. It was obvious that they were in love. Her cheeks warmed as she thought about why that had anything to do with her. Maric.
The second she and Maric had laid eyes on each other, she knew that she had lost her heart. He was handsome, brave, and a genuinely kind man. Rosalind had scolded her and said that she was just infatuated with "Maric the Savior", but she stubbornly denied it. As the time had passed, and they had actually gotten to know each other, she realized how wrong her friend was. Each conversation they had made her feelings grow far beyond infatuation. She wasn't sure if she could handle it. Soft footfalls came up behind her as she thought. Her heart started racing as Maric sat down beside her. The two said nothing for a long time.
"I feel more alive in the night." she said softly, cursing herself for babbling like an idiot. "I love the way the stars blanket the sky. Everything seems more peaceful in the dark." she admitted, unable to stop the words from falling out of her mouth. He grinned at her.
"I agree. Is that what you wanted to discuss?" he asked in his normal, jovial manner. She faced him, knowing that her hands were trembling. It was difficult to look him in the eye.
"No. I asked you here because I wanted to tell you that I am going to request a transfer." she blurted. She was surprised by the hurt in his face. He shook his head.
"Why would you do that?" he asked, bewildered. She steeled herself and shut her eyes. She couldn't look at him.
"Because I am in love with you, My King. I am in love with you, and you are to marry another, and I cannot bear to be around that." she whispered. She kept her eyes closed, realizing that she was crying. She waited for a response, or to hear him take his leave of her, but instead his warm, insistent lips pressed against hers. Her eyes shot open for a brief moment to verify that it was, in fact, Maric who was kissing her. She closed them again as he pulled her body against his. She melted into his touch, unable to stop kissing him. She was not passively waiting for him to finish, however. She returned his affection with a ferocity she did not know she had in her. When they finally pulled apart, they were both out of breath. He rested his forehead againt hers.
"You stole my heart the moment I saw you, Colette. I have tried to fight it for the sake of my duty, but I will fight no more. I love you." he admitted. She smiled softly as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"What about Rowan?" she wondered. He sighed and shook his head.
"I do not know what will happen with all of this. All I know is that right now, I am not marrying Rowan. Right now, I am in love with you, and you are all that I want in this world. I would run away with you, and never have to be king. We could make a life together, Colette." he suggested. She laughed softly and shook her head.
"You know we cannot do that." she scolded gently. He deflated slightly, and she touched his face. "We will stay together, Maric. And when the time comes for you to become king and marry Rowan, you will do it." she urged. He opened his mouth to protest, and she placed a finger over it. "For now, we will make the most of the time we have together. And if Rowan changes her mind, I will be waiting patiently for you." she promised. He kissed her again, more softly this time.
"You are a remarkable woman." he whispered. She smiled.
"You deserve no less, My King."