Blackwater Islands bruise

to be married; a thrum of his heart.

a hopeful squeeze of his lungs, expelling his breath.

and then the ruination: that his bride was not chosen. that it did not have to change them. immediately, the keeper rejects it. if his marriage is not to her than he does not want it.

he knows this stalwartly. with all of his being.

no. the keeper says; sharper than he has ever spoken ( to her ). wanlida and the voices of the past commanders screaming in his head. i only wish to wed you. you or no other. in his mind: there was no way he would compromise because there was no compromise. this was not how he'd imagined the depth of his feelings for her might be spilt but this was how it happened: in defiance.