Just One Night Chapter 17

Torio narrowed her eyes at the semi-darkness.

At the far end of the room was a very large, ornately carved bed, surrounded by several of the softly chanting clerics.  Her eyes fell on the small form lying recumbent beneath the sheets, one hand motionless above the covers.  She took a few tentative steps closer.

Long ebony hair hung down the side of the bed.

Heart racing, hands trembling, eyes wide, Torio walked forward.  It felt like a thousand steps, a room in a dream which you can never cross.  

Then she was gazing down at the face of her beloved, looking deathly still and white, the remembered beautiful blue eyes closed. Torio sank wordlessly to the ground beside the bed, her hands grabbing the soft silky strands and pressing them to her face.  She heard the sobs as they rushed from her chest, and her tears soaked the precious hair in her hands.

Oh gods, Sand...you cant be dead, you cant be dead, you cant be dead!

Fingers under her chin tilted her head up, and she looked into the kindly face of an older cleric.

"My child, he needs you."  The man helped her up and led her around to the other side of the bed.

She looked at the cleric quizzically.  He touched the bed, nodding.  

Then Torio understood.

He lived!

Still sobbing, she climbed up and crawled over to Sand, sitting on her knees beside him, her hands on either side of his pale face, her lips pressed to his.

"I love you, Sand, I love you with all my heart!"

She felt a soft warm hand on the side of her head, and she looked tremulously down into two bright blue elven eyes.  He was smiling at her tiredly, evidence of injuries still visible on his exquisite face.

"Torio, amin vanima Torio," he purred gently.  "I am genuinely sorry it took me so long to get back to you..."

His words were cut off as her lips closed on his.