he was transfixed by the change that dawned over sarah's features; the early light of dawn upon a copse of willow-trees. it was as if many things had been lifted from her heart at once, and while the place itself did not hold mahler's interest, the shift in his companion was a beacon of intrigue for the man.
stirring himself, for his look had lingered long enough to be considered staring, the gargoyle swept his gaze along the stretched arms of the branches, dallying affectionately upon the little buddings that would open to the warmth of spring.
life would begin anew here.
her scent rose around him upon the trail of her words, and mahler delivered all of his attention to sarah, mouth twitching somewhat at her direct assessment of him. "no. i vas vonce quite the dreamer," he sighed, turning his face away to continue his visual exploration, less out of interest and more that he did not wish her to see the sudden tension along his jawline. "i met my vife. ve vere so young, so in love. i thought that life vould always be so happy. i thought that i vould alvays have her at my side."
voice thickened with sorrow. "but you know the vay that these things go, sarah," the general murmured. "it vas not to be. and then i stopped dreaming."