Lion Head Mesa bird of paradise

the hall may as well have cracked beneath their paws. a canyon between them still.

yet neither one acknowledged it. he moved alongside her, as if things had gone back to a simple time. she missed it. deeply and dearly.

pharaoh, she addressed him in the same way she had been greeted. she felt she knew better now than to give more than she was given in return. perhaps it was selfish, a sour ego. yet she felt well assured of this manner of things now.

the ceremony was beautiful.

words of a diplomat, rather than a daughter.