In the Beginning

For me, it all began with a broken ankle.

A fall down a river bank. Soaked clothes.

I had evaded my attendants that day. I had gone deeper into the forest than ever before. I'd worn my hair down that day. My whole life started that day.

I had been so scared. Near nightfall, in the wilds, alone and cold and broken, lying halfway out of the water, clinging to the side of the steep bank, unable to drag myself up it. I knew I would die- be killed- before anyone found me.

The darkness had just risen from the forest, turning the whole world murky and sparse. And then he was there. I think he might have walked on the surface of the water. When he saw me, his eyes widened, and I knew that all the gold in my father's coffers was for naught when those eyes were bright.

I was soaking and muddied, freezing cold and absolutely terrified of him.

I had no more voice to scream. I had no more tears to cry. I had no more energy to beg for my life.

Even so, I sobbed when he came near.

His touch was gentle, his hands strong and sure and hot. He calmed me with soft words, assurances that should not have been so convincing coming from between a set of animal's fangs. But they were.

I stopped shaking. My fear stopped in its tracks and died with a weak, trailing protest.

For me, it all began with his smile.

END