“I’m worried about her.” Faye said, looking into my eyes intensely. She had every reason to be worried. Our friend Alora who was braiding her hair in the reflection of Siren Lake had just been gilted, and she didn’t know it yet. She already donned her practically ethereal white gown and her golden tattoos glimmered and shimmered in the sunlight that peeked through the trees surrounding the lake. Those golden tattoos were those of a warrior, a warrior who had seen many a battle. And this time, they were the tattoos of a warrior who had put down her sword for love.

I couldn’t move. I just stood there trembling with the note from Alora’s betrothed crumpling in my hands. Faye placed her hands on mine. She took in a quick, but deep breath.

“I’ll tell her.” Faye said, delicately taking the note in between her fingers. I looked at her fingers, then her wrist, then the part of her arm that was exposed from her bridesmaid gown. She too had those golden tattoos that glimmered. So did I, but somehow in a moment like this, in a divine and tragic moment of femininity and vulnerability, I couldn’t feel farther from being a warrior. Even with my sword hanging heavily from its hilt on my hip. I softly bit my lip in hesitation, but then nodded. I had faced fiercesome Orcs trying to take over our lands, but I couldn’t face being the one to break my best friend’s heart. I let go of the damp, crumpled note and let Faye take it.

“What are you two whispering about back there?” Alora asked, turning from her reflection mid-braid to face us. She looked glorious. I felt sick to my stomach.

“Alora,” Faye began. She hesitated. I saw her shoulders move up then down as she took in another deep breath. “Alora, this note just arrived for you from -“ Faye hesitated again. I looked from the back of her head to Alora’s face. Alora, still braiding her hair just looked at us with anticipation. What was about to take place - I could tell - had never even crossed her mind.

“From?” Alora asked, finishing another braid and placing a gold clasp on it to fascinate it into place.

“From Florian’s raven.” Faye managed to let out.

“Oh! I knew I heard some flapping in the distance. Well, hand it over!” Alora said, standing up and holding out her hand. She had a smile so full of radiance, it killed me. Faye instinctively pulled the note away from Alora’s reach. Alora’s smile faded just a little.

“Alora, I read it.” Faye confessed. I cringed. _Here we go_.

“Right.” Alora responded, clearly confused. “Why?”

“Because,” Faye began, hesitant again. “Because I had a feeling about what it would say and I was right. I’m sorry.”

“What are you talking about?” Alora asked getting more agitated by the second.

“Faye, enough okay? Just tell her.” I said, also getting frustrated.

“Tell me what!?” Alora asked, raising her voice. As she did she lunged for the note. Faye’s decade long career as a guardian to the empress kicked in, and she side stepped, avoiding Alora’s advance.

“He’s leaving you. Florian is leaving you. You are not getting married today.” Faye spat out. Alora stopped in her tracks, mid-second attempt at grasping the note.

“What?” Alora asked in a voice just a tad louder than a whisper.

“It’s true. I also read it. I’m sorry, Alora. It’s going to be alright.” I reached for her hand and she jerked away. Faye finally held the note out for Alora to take. She just stared at the small piece of paper for a moment and then took it. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding.

Alora opened the folded note with shaking hands. I winced again, awaiting the aftermath. She quickly read the note, several times I could tell with her hazel eyes darting quickly back and forth on the page. She stopped reading, letting the note fall from her hands and float down to the ground. She watched it fall. She then looked back up at us. I expected to see devastation and sadness in her eyes, but I only saw rage as tears began to pool into them. I saw Faye tense up again.

“_You.”_ Alora growled, her eyes trained on Faye. “_It’s you, isn’t it?_” Faye took a small step backward in another instinctive act of defense. My brow furrowed. _What?_ I stood silent. Faye clenched her fists and then put her shoulders back.

After a long pause Faye said “Yes. I’m sorry.” My heart jumped to my throat, my eyes widened.

“Faye?” I asked. “What is she talking about?” Faye didn’t turn around to address my question. She stood there, broad shouldered, facing Alora, ready for an attack. An emotional one, if not physical.

“_How long?_” Alora asked, her voice scratchy.

“Ten months.” Faye answered simply.

“I knew it. I knew something was going on between you and Florian. How could you!?” Alora barked out.

“I need to seize opportunities when they present themselves.” Faye replied.

“Faye! There is a line!” I managed to get out despite my shock and nerves.

“Not for me.”