Rey's POV

It has been two days now.

Not much has happened over the period of time between now and when I last saw Ben which was the day I fell terribly ill.

The time away from Ben was the time I started to really think about what I said.

The vulnerability of my words I had spoken to him left me at a state of concern.

I was starting to become a person I never thought I would dream of becoming, even fathom.

This wishy-washy state of character needed to stop, it was too unusually for me...acting all sad in front of him like that.

Presenting such weakness irked me. It was both humiliating and an embarrassment.

And I hated myself for letting such a moment get the best of me.

Honestly? Was I really wanting Ben that much, to love him as he's shown to me...to be more than just acquaintances as he wished to be?

I buried my face in my freezing hands in embarrassment.

I knew my heart...what it wished. My heart wanted him but I did not yet ache.

I could feel as if my cheeks were on fire as they turned red.

I put my elbows on my opened book that laid on my lap, my face still buried in my hands.

"Argh... I hate myself for being like this." I muttered words out loud, assuming I was alone in the castle gardens.

The evening light hit my book giving an orange sunset tone to the pages. It reminded me of tang color of orange peels.

I pinched my cheeks, trying to rid the thoughts that tried their way into my mind.

I did not want to think of anything beyond friendship with Ben right now.

But I knew that was not possible. Not now, not ever.

The thoughts flooded in; I couldn't stop them.

In fact...I somewhat wished to think about him a bit more often then I chose to.

I was afraid to admit he was winning my heart... gradually, he certainly was.

His dark and soft wavy hair.

The way his eyes looked at mine with such pleasantness. As if I were the only one on earth worthy of his glance.

To even spend the slightest time with his soothed all my worries...all my troubles.

Just as I was wondering into my thoughts a full-toned voice spoke out, smooth and clear.

"Why do you hate yourself Rey?"

I looked ahead of me to see a straight and narrowed face. Beauty marks scattered his face like stars to a night sky which made him oddly charming.

His eyebrows furrowed for a second after asking me that question.

I was so drawn into his presence that I overlooked the fact that he was now sitting beside me.

I shut my book the moment I realized his closeness and fiddled with the flower marker I had placed to keep my page.

I chewed gently on my inner lip in habit.

I averted my eyes from the ground to his eyes.

My face moderately blushed with heat.

"You seem a bit on end this evening. Is something wrong?"

As if he couldn't already tell.

"Don't tease Ben. It's unlawful."

I looked away trying to concentrate on not blushing like a sheep with wool on a summer's day.

"And what is unlawful about making sure a lady like yourself is doing well and having no other intentions otherwise?"

"Then you are quite tolerable."

He chuckled. I glanced his way to see his eyes soften.

My heart almost skipped a beat then.

"You are most certainly kind Miss Rey."

He held out his hand in front of me.

I gave him a questionable glance with one eyebrow raised.

"What might you be giving me at such short notice?"

"I wished to give you something, I crafted it myself but had help searching for the crystal. Apparently Fluorite crystal is not common amongst your people. Luckily I managed to acquire it from an older gentleman with all sorts of find stones and crystals."

He opened his hand to reveal a necklace. It's chain was made of sliver as it securely held a crystal.

"May I put it on you?"

I nodded.

"You may."

After he put it on me he looked at me and smiled.

"I hope you like it."

"I do. Thank you Ben." I touched the dangling crystal in my hand, stroked my thumb over it's smooth and small surface.

"It's beautiful." I inferred to the necklace as he held my hand in his.

"I'm glad and even more so now that I know your alright. Honestly I was quite worried for you. You put on quite a scare for me."

For some reason I wanted to cry again.

Curse these female emotions.

"I deeply apologize for worrying you Ben."

I closed my eyes and when I did I felt his warm hand on my cheek.

I leaned in not giving in to a moment of hesitation.

Tears dripping down my face. Only a few at a time.

"Your so kind to me. You have taken care of me, loved me and you've even sworn to protect me...and I can't even tell you if I love you truly or not. I am sorry, truly I am."

I felt his body move towards me from the increase in heat.

I kept my eyes closed and shut.

"Do not apologize for such a thing my dear Rey. Neither you or I can force these types of things. Love takes time and fortunately enough I'm a patient man. I can wait, as long as it takes."

"Thank you...It truly means a lot to me."

"Of course. Anything for you Rey."

Those words seemed to reel me in as if under a spell.

My body went as if it acted on its own accord.

The next moment I was embracing him.

His hands wrapped around me as to hug me back.

"I don't want to leave you my dear." His voice was laced with softness as if rose petals had hit my ears.

I did not say a word. I only stayed in his embrace, soaking in every moment before this time was over.

Until reality would set back in.

And it did.

We separated soon after a guard came by with a torch in hand to look around.

Ben and I hid in the gardens, unseen by the guards passing by.

"What should we do now that we've skipped curfew." I asked as he tapped my shoulder.

"Come, this way. We can go into the library."

"But women can not read." I whispered to him as I followed his every footstep.

"But that didn't stop you now did it." He meant the book I tried to keep hidden from him as it was the one I was currently holding in hand.

He took my hand as we went through the castle like partners in crime, quietly making our way to the library.