Libuse found Rosemonde where she had expected, in the room allocated to her when she had first transported. She had been crying.

"I can't believe I panicked like that. I came here to help him and I may have jeopardised his chances with the Councillors," she said.

"It's my fault. I should have realised that a public dinner would be too much, I'm so sorry Rosemonde. I will speak to all the Councillors individually tonight."

"How do I fix this?" Rosemonde asked.

Libuse laughed. "Funny how Myrddin asked me exactly the same thing."

Rosemonde felt her face redden. "You told him, didn't you?"

"He deserves to know that you believe in his innocence — well, at least where The Children of Azazael are concerned." Libuse winked.

Rosemonde's face was now crimson. "I'm sorry, I ruined the banquet."

"You haven't. The canapés and cocktails are still being served. Are you ready to talk to him? Trust me he is just as nervous as you are."

She nodded and walked back with Libuse to the room where Myrddin was waiting.

"All right children time to learn about good communication. Don't be too long, we have a dinner to attend." She smiled and left them alone.

Rosemonde spoke first, "I behaved childishly and I embarrassed you. I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me."

"Come here, I won't bite you." Myrddin sat on the sofa and patted the seat next him. Rosemonde tentatively sat beside him.

"Please, say you forgive me," she whispered.

"For what. You've done nothing wrong, Rosie."

Tears welled in her eyes. Myrddin forced himself to remain on his side of the sofa, asking instead, "Can I — will you let me hold you?" She nodded, so he moved towards her and took her in his arms gently as if she were made of glass. "I know what Zoiia said to you, I'm sorry you had to hear that."

"Libuse told you?"

"Not about that, no. Zoiia installed cameras in her basement. I saw the footage."

"Cameras in...then you saw...you saw me kill him, didn't you?"

"Yes Rosemonde, I did. I saw that you had been chained. I saw that you had collapsed from exhaustion. It was self-defence, Rosie. He wanted to use you to turn. It takes days. He was going to kill you, slowly and painfully. I'm glad you had the strength left to fight. You did what you had to do to survive."

She swallowed. "I know that intellectually but...the Warriors have offered counselling, for both of us, I hope you take them up on it too."

"I've already started." He grinned.

"That's amazing! Oh, I'm so proud of you. It's not always easy to ask for help but help is always available if you ask," she said.

"Yeah, I'm learning." Myrddin gave her a nervous laugh. Rosemonde sighed and looked away. "Hey, talk to me." He gently turned her face towards him.

"Tell me the truth Myrddin. Does my...inexperience bother you?"

He let out the breath he'd been holding. "Yes, it does, but only because I'm scared. I've never been what you'd call gentle with a woman. You know now, how I, lost my virginity."

She pulled him closer to her. "I am so sorry that happened to you Myrddin."

"It was brutal. It had nothing to do with love. The first time that sex was a choice was when I was sixteen. She was eighteen and she took the lead. That wasn't love either. It was just a fuck. That's my fear. If I'm honest with myself and with you, I've fucked lots of women but I've rarely made love. I'm scared that I don't know the difference. I want it to be different with you. I want to make love to you when the time is right, but I'm not sure that I know how. In some ways, I'm a virgin too. I just want to be loved Rosemonde, just like everyone else does."

"I don't know what to say. Zoiia said you enjoyed pain. Paul said you would groom me. If that's what you want, then I'm not the one for you Myrddin. I could never be a sub."

"It's not what I want. I want to learn to really love, and I need you to be honest with me. Do you have feelings for Drew Wilson?"

"Honestly? I don't know Myrddin. When I was in the hospital, we really connected but don't forget I had a concussion. Also, he has been my idol since I was in high school. Sign Ahead is my favourite band and Drew Wilson...well, you know what teenage girls can be like. My girlfriends and I all wanted to have his babies."

"Oookaayyy stop!" He grimaced. "If he had feelings for you would it change things between us?"

"Would it change things between us if Theodora had feelings for you?"

"Ah...she told you, didn't she?"

"Yeah."

"I was about to."

"Uh huh." She smiled.

"I was! When I wasn't allowed into the citadel, I became despondent. As a Councillor who would be part of my appraisal, Agatha was not permitted to visit me. I didn't really know anyone else apart from Vlad, Theodora, Mairead and Drew. They all visited me occasionally. Vlad, in particular, was good company, and really tried to cheer me up. But Theodora... Rosie, she came every day. If it wasn't for her, I think I'd have lost my mind. I was a raven and it looked like I'd never be a man again. Think about the implications of that! Well, she persuaded Libuse to change me back after being here only three weeks. I was ecstatic! We hugged and then I-I kissed her."

"And?"

"You're smiling. Why are you still smiling? Why aren't you mad at me?" Myrddin was confused. "Is this some weird female reverse psychology? You're scaring me."

Rosemonde stifled a laugh. "Relax. Breathe. I'm not mad at you. No. This conversation was supposed to be about honesty. I'm going to ask you again Myrddin. You need to be honest with me, and more importantly yourself. What-was-that-kiss-like?" she asked, enunciating each word.

He exhaled and replied the same way, "Or-gas-mic!"

Rosemonde laughed out loud. She had tears in her eyes, but they were not tears of sadness. She was genuinely happy for him. "You need to tell her that Myrddin."

"But it was just a kiss."

"Do my kisses make you feel that way?"

"Er -"

"Myrddin, we're being honest with one another remember," Rosemonde chided.

"Rosie I...no, they don't, but I've been wanting to take you to bed since the first time I saw you."

"Well...you wanted to know the difference between fucking and making love. I think you're learning. What you're feeling for me is lust. What that kiss made you feel may very well be love."

"What I feel for you is more than lust Rosemonde. It hurts me that you could even think that."

"I'm sorry. I know you love me and I love you Myrddin. We want what's best for each other. You're one of my best friends and hopefully, I'm one of yours but there are many types of love. My kisses don't rock your world but if we are in love, they should, shouldn't they? You had one kiss with Theodora and you described it as orgasmic. Think! What if you're in love with her? Isn't that worth exploring?"

Myrddin smiled at her and sighed. "You're not in love with me either, are you?"

"I don't think so no, but you're simply beautiful Myrddin and I don't want you out of my life!"

"I'm not going anywhere, Rosie." He hugged her tightly and pulled her to her feet. "All right little miss know-it-all, it's your turn."

"What do you mean?" Rosemonde asked.

"You very cleverly avoided my question. Now that you've decided to play matchmaker, let me return the favour and ask it again. What if Drew has feelings for you? Would it change the way you are with him?"

"What's the point of asking me that? It's purely hypothetical."

"It's not! I nearly decked him in there because I could see he was in love with you. So, what do you say?"

"I say, you and I need to get back to the banquet hall, and find the ones we love."

Myrddin laughed. "Oh, how I love you, my sweet Rosie!"

"As I love you, my gentle giant." Rosemonde embraced him wholeheartedly.

When they entered the banquet hall, Rosemonde found Theodora. "Please, nurture and love him. Myrddin needs you so very much Dora."

Theodora looked her in amazement. "Have you two-"

"Shh." Rosemonde placed a finger on Theodora's lips. "Just follow your heart, my friend." She left her standing there, and went to find Drew.

Myrddin had approached Drew as soon as he'd entered the banquet hall. "Look after her Drew. Love Rosemonde as passionately as she deserves to be loved."

"What-what are you saying?" But Myrddin had gone. Rosemonde was standing in front of him. It was now or never. He closed his eyes. He dared not look at her when he said it. What if she didn't feel the same way? "I am completely and utterly in love with you," he whispered.

"And I with you," she said, relieved.

Libuse, who had witnessed the whole scene, approached Mairead and tapped her on the shoulder. "This is something I think you might enjoy witnessing." She beamed.

Mairead turned to see her son and Rosemonde sharing a very public and very passionate kiss. "Oh, bless my soul! You're right, I have prayed for this moment, but it is unlike Rosemonde to intentionally hurt anyone. How is Myrddin taking it?"

"I think he'll be fine." Libuse laughed. "Look behind you."

Mairead turned to see Theodora in Myrddin's arms. "Oh my! It looks as though tonight is a celebration after all."

A/N
When it comes to romantic love, I guess The Shoop Shoop Song is right. 😘 😁