“Do you remember,” I said as we swept across the dance floor, “that morning in the alcove?” She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. “I recognized you the moment I saw you. The Alchemist from the forest. I remember wondering what could have made that same fierce goddess appear so…” “Weak?” she interjected when I paused. “No, Rose. I don’t think you’ve ever been weak.” I twirled her in time to the music, and she spun back into me. “I was going to say lost. And afraid. All I wanted was to take that fear from you. To see you light up the way you do now. To hold you like this”—I pressed my
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