"That was what worried me. I will admit that about a month ago, Larrigan and I were intimate but I was worried that I might not be able with anyone else. Not that I wouldn't want to. All I want is a happy normal marriage and children. Andy took that from me too.

"Before Alexander, I never thought about it, I had convinced myself I didn't want it. But looking back, it was mostly because at the age when courting began, except for Andy, no one ever asked me to a festival or dance. I heard the whispers, she's a tough girl, she doesn't need anyone. Except I do. I need someone who is going to love me and take care of me and want me."

"Larrigan really must have been a good man for you to trust him that much." Wulfsen stroked Sileas's cheek so gently he was barely touching her. "There are a lot of orphaned children in the world that need parents."

"He was. The very first time I froze with fear, the first time I had a flashback, he just knew exactly what to do." Sileas wiped at her eyes and nodded, "That was what we had planned as well. I always wanted to anyway, I wanted to give a few street children a good life. But there's just...something that makes me innately sad that I won't get to experience carrying our babe. At least one." She didn't even realize she had said their babe and not her.

"I'd do what I could to make it up to you, if you'll have me." Wulfsen slipped an arm around Sileas, not missing the slip. "Any babe of yours would have been beautiful... But there are so many hungry little street kids in Portside. I'd love them like my own."

Sileas wrapped her arms around Wulfsen tightly, "Yes, oh yes. I know Larrigan would want me happy." It was a long hidden fantasy coming true, one she had never thought would. She had so much to learn, marrying the king's son.

Wulfsen's heart just about jumped out of his chest.

"Yes? You'll marry me?" He asked, not wanting to be mistaken about something so important.

"Yes! Yes!" And I'll be praying every day that I really am not cursed with the kiss of death.

Wulfsen hugged Sileas against his chest.

"How soo- uh, when would you like to get married?" He asked. He would happily ask the ship's captain, but he knew Sileas's family should be there.

"Mama would never forgive me if she and Aunt Aislyn didn't plan something. Papa will probably want announcements all over the place. I have so many things to learn....how to dance, how to run a house. How to cook," Sileas blushed. "Two months? I don't know if everything can be done in less time."

"It doesn't matter to me if you can do all that or not, I can afford servants if we need someone to cook or run a house... Though I'd rather dance with you than a housekeeper." Wulfsen said, sitting back on the couch and looking at Sileas.

"Well, that's a relief," Sileas laughed. "Though I would at least like to learn to bake so I can make you special treats. Still, it will take Millie that long to make a dress. It will allow time for the rebuilding too," she said, squeezing his hand.

"Of course... I'd be happy to marry you today but your family would hate me if we eloped, that's no way to start this. I can wait." Wulfsen bent close to kiss Sileas.

Sileas lifted her head so her lips could meet his.

Bang! Yehudit slammed the door open. "You're done speaking in private because I couldn't hear your voices anymore."

Sileas shook her head. "I forgot to warn you about Yehudit always interrupting private moments. We'll need a heavy bar on our chamber door."

Wulfsen sighed and sat back. He had enjoyed kissing Sileas earlier, however briefly, and would have liked kissing her again now that he knew she loved him too. He squeezed Sileas's hand.

Yehudit wielded her walking stick. "Want me to hit him?"

"NO! I don't want you hitting, kicking, slapping or performing any other violence on Wulfsen. And we weren't done talking."

A tub of water was provided, he sunk into the water clothes and all. He picked up the soap and began scrubbing layers of dirt from his face.

In reply to Sileas (msg # 277):

Yehudit stubbornly crossed her arms. "If you weren't done talking why did you stop talking?"

"Out!" Sileas pointed to the door.

Yehudit planted her feet on the floor. "Are you canoodling in here?"

Wulfsen's face glowed. "No."

Sileas got to her feetand shouted "OUT!"

Yehudit bristled. "I have as much right to be in here as you do."